IT'S been all change at Oswaldtwistle Immanuel as they have eight new players.
Andrew Metcalf has rejoined from Church and Barry Shorrock and Mark Gilrane have also come from Blackburn Road.
Then Danny Hothersall and Kevin Jelley have signed from Baxenden with Imran Abib (Enfied), Imran Ahmed (Blackburn Northern) and wicket keeper Adam Chester (Read) also joining the Ossy cause.
"It is basically a new look side," said captain Gerard Metcalf. "What is good about the new signings is that, apart from Kevin Jelley, they are all aged around 19-23/4 and they are at the right age and should be around for a long time.
"With the new signings, I hope to improve on last season although it all depends on whether the side gel because there are such a lot of new faces. Hopefully, though, we will bed down and become a useful unit."
Immanuel, who face Baxenden tomorrow (Sat), finished second from bottom last season but their Pakistani pro Ahmed Saeed, who broke the club batting record with 1097 runs, is back.
"Having such an unfamiliar side, it is good that we have a familiar pro," said Metcalf. "We hope he will have another good season and break the record again. We are hoping he will be here for the first game although he is held up in Pakistan at the moment."
The only downside for Immanuel is that young talent Oliver Clare will miss the opening games through injury.
And Metcalf is not sure who the winners will be after Clitheroe pulled off the treble last season.
"Clitheroe's side have broken up but they have a good pro in New Zealander Michael Papps. It depends how early teams get him out.
"But I think it is wide open especially with the new points system - 10 points for a win and bonus points like the Lancashire League. Having experience of that system, it tends to lead to an open league."
