League’s call to ‘undecided’

CRICKET: MOORSIDE, Whalley Range and Wythenshawe have said “yes” to the Greater Manchester league, which is due to get under way in 2016, but Droylsden and Stayley have rejected the switch.

That leaves another 10 clubs in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League to decide.

Woodhouses(Lancashire County League) and Springhead (North Manchester League) are also among a total of 20 clubs so far signed up to the competition which could revolutionise cricket in Greater Manchester.

The Saddleworth League are advertising for new clubs, while they have also made an impassioned plea to those who haven’t yet made the call to stay or go.

In an email sent to members, secretary Trevor Harrison said the league would not “surrender lightly”.

Part of the statement read: “From being enthusiastic in the beginning, personally I have become very uneasy about the way matters have been conducted.

“I have felt that other opinions were not being listened to in any depth and that the strict requirements needed for membership, particularly of the top three divisions would be very difficult if not impossible for most of our clubs, and therefore not in their best interests either from a playing or financial viewpoint.

“So far, as I am aware I have heard nothing about the clubs who do not want to join. There has been no provision mentioned for these. It just seems to have been assumed that every league will join en bloc. Quite obviously this is not the case.

“In the S&DCL we have well over 100 years of history which we will not surrender lightly.

“The league committee know we do not get everything right, but we do our best and perhaps some things will change.

“We do feel that we have to support the clubs who do not want to join the GM league and will fight for this league’s survival in whatever form.”

THE draw for round two of the Tanner Cup is —

Micklehurst v Austerlands; Glodwick v Stayley; Friarmere v Greenfield; Saddleworth v Whalley Range.

Moore Cup, round two: Whalley Range v Saddleworth; South West Manchester v Micklehurst; Stayley v Glodwick; Greenfield v Friarmere.

Ties to be played on Sunday, June 21.