Not so sweet music

It was far from sweet music when Norden hosted the final of the John Willie Lees Wood Cup.

The monthly meeting of the Lake Garage CLL listened to complaints about the volume of the music which was played between overs.

Monton and Weaste captain Trent Scott described it as “a nightmare” saying it was impossible to communicate with team-mates when trying to set the field between overs in the match against Rochdale.

Heywood representative Bob Dearden agreed with Scott, adding that even the younger generation complained about the music.

Other than that, Norden were commended for their organisation and the spectators for their behaviour as there was no repeat of loutish incidents which have marred a number of recent finals.

CLL chairman Neville Fletcher paid tribute to long-serving umpires Arnold Pope and Neville Hayes following their recent deaths which were marked with a minute’s silence before the monthly meeting of clubs.

Pope (81) completed 40 seasons of officiating in 2008, standing at almost 1,200 matches before stepping down due to ill health.

He was chairman of the CLL Umpires Association for 20 years and since 2005 had been its president.

Hayes (74) had completed 20 years on the CLL panel having been a player for Prestwich.

The CLL under-15s have won through to the final of the Lancashire Cricket Board’s Michael Roche Trophy.

They defeated the Ribblesdale League in the quarter-finals, bowling out their opponents for 156 in reply to their total of 205.

Rochdale’s Jack Avery and Greg Butterworth scored 50 and 45 respectively while Royton’s Joe Lovell claimed four wickets for 25.

In the semi-final, the CLL posted a score of 173 for five against the Palace Shield who were dismissed for 117. Avery hit 92 not out while Butterworth took three wickets for 16 and Lovell two for 12.