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Rishton begin defence

18/ 4/2008

THE cricket season gets underway this weekend with the battle on for the top prizes.

Rishton are defending their Lancashire League crown with chairman Alan Craven admitting: "We can consider ourselves favourites."

But many think last season’s bottom club Accrington could be the surprise package with ex-England and Lancashire batsman Graham Lloyd back at the club.

"He brings a vast wealth of experience," said captain David Ormerod.

Enfield are hoping it could just be their year with skipper David Bracewell expecting a tough battle at the top.

"It will be more open than it has been for a while," he said.

Church, meanwhile, have a new captain in Phil Gilrane and highly-rated pro in Niel Bredenkamp. "It is a very exciting time," said the skipper.

In the Ribblesdale League, Baxenden are looking to go one step further than the second place they finished last season. They have ex-England batsman Ian Austin in their ranks and captain Mark Rishton said: "We are expecting to improve again this year."

Great Harwood want to end their 108-year title hoodoo but new captain Allan Armer daren’t even think about it.

"It is a Great Harwood jinx," he said.

And Oswaldtwistle Immanuel skipper Gerard Metcalf is hoping pro Andy Kerr can come up with the goods.

"He is a highly motivated and hungry young professional," said Metcalf.