Royton: it’s still in the balance

ROYTON remain “50-50” over whether to join the Greater Manchester League in 2016.

The cricket committee have met twice in recent weeks to hear representations from the GM League and those behind the proposed CLL-Saddleworth League merger under the Pennine League banner. A decision on Royton’s future will be made before the end of this month, while I understand the same is expected from Radcliffe and Monton and Weaste, who are also considering their options.

Royton CC cricket secretary Ian McGeary said: “Personally, I am in favour of the CLL-Saddleworth merger, but it’s 50-50 among the committee at the moment.

“I just feel the CLL and Saddleworth Leagues are well-run set-ups and the merger would enable us to keep the local derbies.

“I know the Saddleworth League very well, having been an umpire there for five years.

“I am also concerned about the futures of our second and youth teams and feel they will be best served in a CLL-Saddleworth league.

“But no decision has been made yet and I know some of our officials have been canvassing the views of many of our members.

“I do think next Thursday’s meeting at Milnrow between the CLL and Saddleworth will help us to make up our minds.”

Meanwhile, Austerlands’ Andy Young, a player in the Saddleworth League for 17 years, has also spoken of his support for the merger.

He said: “I’ve always said that if the Saddleworth League can still be made viable, even after the formation of the Greater Manchester League, then that would be my preferred option.

“Playing the likes of Littleborough, Norden and Milnrow week-in, week-out, is far more appealing to me personally than perhaps being placed in a division among, say for argument’s sake, clubs from the middle sections of the Lancashire County and North Manchester Leagues.

“That is one of the issues at the moment. Where would Austerlands be put in the GM pyramid system? At this stage I don’t know.

“At least with a CLL and Saddleworth League merger Austerlands — a team who I believe are on the up — will have a good chance of being in the top division.

“Personally, I would much rather play a good standard of cricket at local grounds.”

Young, along with his brother and team-mate Adam, will attend the meeting at Milnrow.

He has “no issue” with the playing conditions so far proposed by the two competitions.

They include two divisions of 12 teams — eight clubs from the CLL and four from Saddleworth in the first tier — with mandatory professionals in the top flight and 50 overs per side games.

Professionals in the second tier would be optional, while fixtures would be of 45 overs per side.

However, Young is a little uneasy about the naming of the two groups — CLL Division One and SDCL Division Two.

“If it’s going to be called the Pennine League, why retain the other names?” he added.

“Teams can still play for the traditional knock-out competitions - for example the CLL’s Wood Cup in Division One and our Tanner Cup in Division Two.

“There could then be a knock-out trophy which all teams across the two divisions compete in.”

Young admits it will be “touch and go” as to which way Austerlands members will vote.

With the deadline closing for applications into the GM League at the end of the month they, like other local clubs weighing up each case, will have to make a decision soon.