Weekend Review: Greater Manchester Cricket League

It was a dismal weekend in the GMCL as a complete wash-out on Saturday, with not a ball bowled throughout the League was followed by a series of rain affected cup matches on Sunday where the Duckworth Lewis calculation came into play. 

In the Derek Kay 1^stXI Cup locally there were DL wins for Denton St Lawrence; Denton and Denton West who now move into the next round on 30^thJune. In the 1^stXI League Cup the disadvantage of batting first and seeing the innings rain affected was felt by both Ashton and Micklehurst, (who lost on a bowl out to Elton), who tumbled out of the competition at the first time of asking.  The league season moves into its 9^thweek this coming weekend when hopefully conditions will be better.  

Results:

Derek Kay 1^stXI Cup 

Whalley Range  N/A Prestwich ; Denton SL 106-6 (won DL) Astley & Tyldesley 131ao; Denton 79-3 (won DL) Edgworth 80ao; Roe Green 181-8 (won DL) Stand 53-6 ; Royton 136-1 (won DL)  Moorside 218-6; Unsworth 185-9 (won bowl out) Heyside 43-4; Denton West 123-2 (won DL) Greenfield 146-7

1^stXI League Cup 

Austerlands 146-6 Stretford 135-7 (won DL) ; Werneth 99-1 (won DL) Deane & Derby 101ao; Elton Vale N/A Oldham ; Ashton 103-9 Shaw 97-3 (won DL); Littleborough Lakeside 174ao Tottington St Johns 128ao; Micklehurst 195-6 Elton 52-3 (won bowl out); Uppermill 175-8 Friarmere 33-0 (won bowl out); Winton 67-2 Westleigh 182-9 (won bowl out)

Sunday Cup – 3^rdXI (local game) 

Ashton Ladysmith dnb (won bowl out) Glodwick 8-0

Sunday Plate – 3^rdXI (local games) 

Newton N/A Whalley Range ; Worsley N/A Denton West; Farnworth SC 261ao Droylsden 108-7; 

At the start of the season Reporter Sport outlined the changes to the League structure which will be put in place from 2020. The operation of two competitions in each of Divisions 1,2 and 3 will be replaced by a linear structure involving 7 tiers in total with the top 5, (Premier; Championship and Divisions 1,2 and 3), being a 12 team league.  With 8 games now completed, and 14 remaining, the league tables are now forming and it is possible to see where Clubs will be placed if the tables at the end of the season reflect the current position. It also gives a clear indication to Clubs of what must be done if they are to aspire to promotion or avoid relegation. 

Locally Denton St Lawrence and Flowery Field would compete in the Premier Division and in the Championship would be Denton West; Glossop and Denton.  In Division 1 Dukinfield and Droylsden would be the local presence and a Division lower Stayley, who would be relegated from their current level would enjoy the local derby with Micklehurst.  In Division 3 Ashton would be the sole Tameside representative but with the prospect of local games against Werneth and also Saddleworth and Springhead who are on course for promotion.  That may be how things stand at the moment, but with well over half the season still to go there will undoubtedly be many twists and turns before the end of the campaign.  In addition there are also indications that there may be some new clubs who are looking for pastures new, and dependent on their perceived stature and quality would be placed at an appropriate level.

In other GMCL news Denton SL, currently standing proudly at the top of the Premier Division are already planning for 2020.  Pro Neil Hornbuckle has made an instant impact with 441 runs and 12 wickets since his arrival at Sycamore Park, and is a crucial part of the team.  His pedigree was seen at Lancashire League Milnrow last year where he picked nearly 700 runs to add to 38 wickets.  He has sufficiently impressed DSL which has led to them re-signing him for next year.  Over at Flowery Field, after using a number of sub-professionals, the Throstle Bank Street club has secured the services of Kurtlyn Mannikam.  He is a South African right hand bat and off-spin bowler who represents Kwa Zulu Natal in his South African homeland.  A decent impact from him could well see Flowery pushing for a Premier Division spot in 2020.

By Martin Frost