CO-OPERATION is the key to cricket's survival and revival.

That's the message from a cricket forum launched to reverse the flagging fortunes of many of the town's teams.

The forum met last Thursday to formulate plans to revive the sport as teams continue to struggle on and off the pitch.

The town's nine clubs are faced with a shortage of good quality players, a lack of youngsters progressing from junior to senior cricket as well as increasing financial costs.

The result of this has been a steady decline in their fortunes over the last two decades.

Where once the town boasted some of the best teams in Cheshire, now only two clubs remain in the County League while many are struggling to compete lower down the cricketing pyramid.

The forum wants to re-energise the sport by encouraging clubs to co-operate to solve common problems.

Vale Royal Cricket Development Officer and forum adviser Pete Hancock said: "The forum has been created to discuss the issues facing our cricket clubs and to find solutions to some of the difficulties.

"Many of the clubs didn't speak to each other before this. What they've got to do now is co-operate and learn from each other.

"We've got to re-energise clubs and get them buzzing again. A good example is Oakmere, who have managed to do this, especially through their ladies team."

Keeping people playing the sport is a key area that the forum also intends to work on.

Hancock added: "One of the issues is a shortage of quality players that are available to clubs at present.

"There are fewer players making the transition from junior to senior cricket while good players are also being attracted to other clubs outside the area.

"For whatever reason youngsters play until they are 17 or 18 but then don't make the step up.

"We've got to find out why this is - and try to encourage them to keep playing."

One of the possibilities is employing senior coaches to improve players' performances. Currently coaching is only provided at junior level.

Top players from the clubs would be invited to take part in the sessions in a bid to improve the quality of the sport as well as keeping them interested in the game.

Oulton Park vice chairman Roy Ramsbottom added: "Quality players are thin on the ground in Mid Cheshire.

"Cricket has suffered a decline and this has been especially noticeable over the last three years.

"Senior coaching should be introduced to keep juniors playing and developing as they progress."

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