THE Pennine Cricket League may have folded, but the historic Wood and Tanner cups have been saved.
The Greater Manchester Cricket League and Lancashire League have made dates available so the iconic competitions can continue.
Former CLL clubs, with the exception of Monton & Weaste and possibly also Crompton who have to make a final decision, will compete in the Wood Cup.
And ex-Saddleworth League clubs, but for Glodwick, will take part in the Tanner Cup.
The cup competitions will be overseen by a committee that includes three leading local cricket officials.
Chairman of the committee is Dr Martin Harvey who is president of Stayley Cricket Club, secretary is Austerlands’ Andrew Young and treasurer is Michael Ward from Saddleworth.
Fixtures for the rejigged Greater Manchester Cricket League have yet to be finalised as the league is still waiting for confirmation as to how many teams each club will field in 2018.
The final meeting of the Pennine Cricket League was held earlier this month as it has folded after two seasons following the exodus of clubs to the Greater Manchester Cricket League and Lancashire League.
Andrew is sad to see the league fold, though he is looking forward to the new challenge.
He explained: “There are positives about the new league, but there is a lot to be said about competitive cricket involving local clubs.
“People have grown up with local rivalries, but we don’t have any of our traditional derbies.”
GREENFIELD, Crompton and Heyside have signed new professionals for the 2018 season.
South African Yaseen Valli, 22, will be the paid man at Greenfield and will come with a glowing reputation having recently captained South Africa Emerging Players in a recent series against Zimbabwe.
The left-handed batsman was also part of the South African squad for the ICC U19 World Cup in 2014 and played for Gauteng in the 2015 African T20 Cup.
Valli, who has previously played in the Lancashire League, has already been given the nickname ‘Frankie’ by Greenfield.
Greenfield’s annual meeting is on Tuesday, December 5 at 8pm. All members are welcome.
CROMPTON’S new professional is Aubrey Swanepoel, a 28-year-old South African all-rounder, a decent batsman and spin bowler.
Swanepoel is currently playing for Griqualand West in South Africa’s Ram Slam T20 Challenge. He also plays for Northern Cape and had played for his country at U19 level.
HEYSIDE have signed Somila Seyibokwe, a South African who has played for Denton West in the premier division of the Greater Manchester League for the last two seasons.
The 30-year-old is a top-order batsman and medium-pace bowler and has played state cricket for Warriors and provincially for Border.
Heyside captain Ryan Barnes said: “Somila, who is known as ‘Stitch’ has good stats for the last two seasons and, importantly, has experience on playing on our grounds.
“He has played in the premier division for Denton West but, as we are in the first division, hopefully he can do even better.
“We have been told ‘Stitch’ is great off the field and he has already enquired about coaching our kids.”
Heyside are also in talks with an overseas amateur, a strike bowler who can also bat.
AUSTERLANDS are looking for a bar steward. It is essentially part time, but effectively full time in summer. Anybody interested can contact Andrew Young on: 07864 818476.
You must be logged in to post a comment.