Heywood CC cricket chairman David Fare is adamant “something had to change” to improve rapidly falling standards in the Central Lancashire League.
Fare was Heywood’s representative at the CLL’s EGM last Friday, which saw clubs vote 11-5 in favour of splitting the league into two divisions of eight, with promotion and relegation.
The move has come about in reaction to declining standards of cricket and grounds in recent years, which has seen many clubs struggle to maintain interest in players and fans as they have had little to play for season after season.
As a result, many games involving the league’s lesser lights have become little short of a farce for the league’s top sides.
Crompton and Ashton only won five games all season between them, while games between the bottom half of the league and top half have become increasingly one-sided affairs and a turn-off to the public at Crimble.
Heywood voted in favour of the change, helping achieve the 2/3rds majority needed.
Fare, who has played CLL cricket for more than 30 years, said: “Something had to happen, although I am not totally convinced this will improve the standard of cricket played.
“Some of the games I watched last season were of a surprisingly poor quality and were not what I expected from the Central Lancashire League.
“I am not saying this is the answer to all the problems, and it is only a trial run until 2014. I am sure this will improve competitiveness and that the games will be more attractive to supporters, because it means playing the better teams four times a year, should we finish in the top eight.
“But I don’t think this necessarily means the standard of cricket will be any better.
“I do fear for the future of some of the lesser clubs, who will not be able to attract the better players needed to improve. But Heywood is a club that relies on cricket for its income and playing more competitive cricket has to be of benefit to us.”
Both first and second teams must finish in the top eight of the CLL this season in order to make the new Premier Division and play against the top sides in the league.
Will Bobby Cross be biting his nails this season?
How will Roger Smethurst's boys rise to the challenge?
First team captain Bobby Cross and second team skipper Roger Smethurst have both welcomed the change in league structure and are certain it will increase the competitive nature of their respective divisions.
Cross, who’s side finished fifth in 2011, said: “Whether this is the right answer only time will tell but it will certainly maintain interest for almost all clubs throughout the season (once we are into two divisions), which has been the most common complaint from clubs.
“It will be exciting for players and supporters with promotion and relegation and games right at the end of the season will be meaningful.
“Whether you agree with it or not it has been voted in and we have to work very hard this season to ensure that we will be one of the teams in the top division for 2013.”
It will be a slightly bigger challenge for Smethurst and his second team to reach the top eight, as Heywood could only finish in ninth last season.
But he said: “This will make teams have more to play for in the second half of the season.
“If you are knocked out of the Burton Cup and not in the top three or four, it makes a lot of games seem a bit aimless.
“We finished ninth last season, but hopefully it should motivate our players to put in more effort as you would hope they would want to play in the top division.”
Central Lancashire League Div One Final Table
| P | OW | LW | D | T | L | LP | Pts | Agg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norden | 30 | 22 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 128 | 223 |
| Middleton | 30 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 101 | 213 |
| Rochdale | 30 | 8 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 95 | 199 |
| Littleborough | 30 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 93 | 206 |
| Heywood | 30 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 92 | 164 |
| Royton | 30 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 6 | 85 | 145 |
| Milnrow | 30 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 8 | 78 | 158 |
| Walsden | 30 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 5 | 77 | 182 |
| Monton&W | 30 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 9 | 75 | 120 |
| Radcliffe | 30 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 74 | 125 |
| Werneth | 30 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 74 | 153 |
| Clifton | 30 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 6 | 74 | 151 |
| Unsworth | 30 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 5 | 67 | 131 |
| Oldham | 30 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 20 | 6 | 39 | 46 |
| Crompton | 30 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 22 | 5 | 30 | 93 |
| Ashton | 30 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 25 | 3 | 19 | 39 |
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Roger – a stronger season for the 2′s I think – yeah only finished 10th last year but actually only 5 points behind 6th place.
The new players are bound to have a beneficial knock on effect for the 2′s and if one or two can get back to what they are capable of then top 6 has to be more than realistic – how about a cup run too (draw could have been worse)!
Out of interest, how was Roger out after playing this stroke?
Olly.
Notice that the ball is nowwhere to be seen, i would suggest that it is already in the keepers gloves!
Rumours are that the 2ndXI captain is resting quietly preparing for the next big shot.
It was the day after the cocktail night when Rob showed how lightweight he was. Roger himself had only for down to Crimble about 10 mins before the match and was batting at 10 I think. Twos were struggling against Midd and Roger was keen for a bat with Purs at the other end. Sadly, Purs chipped one to a close fielder and Rog was not out after playing only a few balls. A later pic in the series shows how miffed he was.Report and more pics of the great man here
Well observed (past) Chairman… Scoop thanks for the further evidence of the shambolic behaviour of not only my sibling but also the incriminating images of the Sherriff, still reeling a little in the party spirit; brining himself on to bowl! Obviously still feeling the influence of a woo woo too many from the previous night.
Olly – How was Roger out after that stroke? Run out would be a popular bet!