Clubs in hot water over drinks breaks

Lake Garage CLL clubs are feeling the heat for failing to provide drinks for players in junior cricket during the recent heatwave.

Radcliffe’s Louise Farley made a complaint to the CLL saying that while there are drinks intervals in adult matches, she has noticed no provision for the juniors.

Mrs Farley, who advocated a rule that drinks should be mandatory, said: “We had a recent game when kids were dropping like flies because of the heat.

“Clubs are forced to have child protection officers and yet common sense is not kicking in with regard to this matter.”

League chairman Neville Fletcher added there is no rule which states that drinks must be provided, but he reminded clubs it is accepted practice they are given by the hosts.


Clubs have been criticised for failing to use covers to protect their pitches during wet weather.

Heywood’s Bob Dearden made the observation, saying it is pointless having a rule which states that clubs must have covers if they do not use them.

Mr Fletcher said it was something he had noted on his travels in the current campaign.

He had also noticed that first-team pitches have been covered at the expense of second team and junior matches.

“Pitches should be covered on a Friday night for the next day’s game irrespective of what level it is,” he explained.


Middleton's Ken Skewes is a leading contender for being the unluckiest player of the season.

The Towncroft club’s paid man has already had two injury lay-offs having hurt his shoulder and then being concussed during pre-match practice before their home match against Monton & Weaste which necessitated him being taken to North Manchester Hospital for a check up.


The CLL could be in for a record-breaking campaign in terms of fines being handed out.

The latest monthly meeting of clubs saw penalties amounting to almost £500 meted out to offending clubs.

They were for a wide array of matters including failing to submit scoresheets and captain’s reports or doing so late and not telephoning results.


A steering committee, which is to look at the future structure of the league, has met for the first time.

There was a full and frank discussion about the format of the league and number of matches played as well as the John Willie Lees Wood Cup and Twenty20 competitions.