meller braggins cheshire cricket league preview
MIDDLEWICH are confident of bouncing back first time after losing their place in the County League last year.
With relegation and promotion introduced within the cricket pyramid in 2000, the Croxton Lane side were the major victims of this, dropping back into the Cheshire League.
The winter brought even more discontent when their clubhouse was flooded, but after a refurbishment and a re-opening ceremony on Saturday, they are ready for the new season.
There is also set to be a new image on the playing staff too, as Middlewich have an overseas import from India lined up for 2001.
Their league campaign begins at Old Parkonians on Saturday.
OAKMERE are the only local club who finished high enough to start the 2001 season in the new streamlined first division of the Cheshire Cricket League.
They did this by finishing in the top half of the old Division One last year and begin with a home game against Bollington. There are some new faces on the playing side, but the nucleus of last year's squad has been retained.
But once again, success at Oakmere is likely to come from areas outside the 1st XI. Last year, their 2nds won their third successive championship and are hot favourites to make it four, while the Ladies swept all before them in the Laytons League.
Alan Bell will lead WEAVERHAM into action for the first time when they visit Holmes Chapel on Saturday.
The new captain is quietly confident that his side can challenge for promotion from the new Division Two, with the help Somerset of all-rounder Ian Ross.
Some old faces have also returned to Weaverham, which should improve their squad strength from 2000, a year they spent fighting relegation.
Emlyn Roberts captains the 2nds looking for a season of consolidation in the new regionalised league. His team starts at home to Holmes Chapel.
WINSFORD avoided relegation and are also in the new Division Two, whilst DAVENHAM finished last year just one pace short of qualifying for Division One. Both these sides begin at home on Saturday, Winsford to Bowdon Vale, Davenham to Styal.
BARNTON CC, who begin at Disley take their place in the new Division Three strengthened by some new recruits which 1st XI skipper Dave Ollier hopes will help to provide depth and consistency to the batting and back up the strong bowling attack.
The club wants a strong promotion challenge to be complemented by exciting developments off the field. They have been successful in obtaining a grant from Vale Royal Sports Council towards a set of covers and are also investing in equipment and practice facilities.
Manchester brewery Hydes are the club's new sponsors and to improve on the field, a top local groundsman has been enlisted, his efforts already bearing fruit.
"We are committed to providing top-class facilities on and off the field and if we achieve this, results will follow," said chairman Graham Coull.
THE restructuring of the Meller Braggins League means there are three divisions of 12 clubs, all playing each other twice.
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