IT WILL be the dawn of a new era for local cricket later this month when wickets are pitched for the launch of The J W Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League.
And there will be an inaugural match 24 hours before the start to mark the historic milestone for the game.
It involves Saddleworth and Norden, the last-ever champions of the Saddleworth and District Cricket League and CLL respectively.
The match takes place at Milnrow Cricket Club on Saturday, April 23, 1pm with admission £3 or £2 if tickets are bought in advance from clubs.
Proceeds are to be donated to Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in memory of former Norden cricketer Tom Hardman who died suddenly of a rare heart complaint.
It is planned that a charity game involving the Pennine League champions and Wood Cup winners will from 2017 be the curtain-raiser before each campaign.
Nigel Tench describes it as a “great honour” to be the first chairman of the Pennine League.
He said: “It is a historic moment when you bear in mind both leagues had been in existence for around 120 years.
“I am looking forward to the start, though I am slightly nervous. I hope it goes as well as the preparations which I am confident will be the case as there has been a lot of co-operation from clubs in both leagues.”
Mr Tench, who has been involved in the CLL for 52 years as a player, administrator and umpire, added it is remarkable how the new league has been formed in the wake of the creation of the Greater Manchester League.
The CLL initially approached the Lancashire League about a merger but, after that was rejected, a similar move was made to the Saddleworth League.
Mr Tench, (66), said: “They were very interested and an impromptu meeting was held at Littleborough Cricket Club when there was overwhelming support for a merger.
“Steering groups were formed to explore ideas but it was not until mid-August that it started to take shape and early September when J W Lees Brewery agreed to be sponsors.”
The brewery has agreed a £100,000 package over the next four years which has ensured the Pennine League gets off on a sound financial footing.
The inaugural meeting of the Pennine League wasn’t held until early November and little over five months after that and the new season will be underway.
Mr Tench, who began playing for Middleton’s second team in 1964, is impressed with the structure of two divisions of 12 clubs in the Premiership and Championship with two up, two down. There will also be a play-off for a third promotion place between the third bottom team in the Pennine League and third-place club in the Championship.
He continued: “The idea is to keep the season alive for as long as possible for clubs, and I think the format does that.
“There is a lot of player recruitment going on, and it is great to see Greenfield have signed Australian T20 international James Muirhead as these days we don’t often get players of that standard in local cricket.”
Mr Tench is also delighted that 12 clubs have signed up to play in a third X1 competition and five are developing women’s sides. In addition there will be junior leagues at under-9, 11, 13, 15 and 18 level.
You must be logged in to post a comment.