PCL XI face a battle for semi-final spot

ADAM GOOD . . . the Royton bowler will look to get among the wickets on Sunday

THE Pennine Cricket League representative team go to New Brighton CC on Sunday with a Inter-League Trophy semi-final spot in their sights.

Standing in the way of Chris Gill's men are hosts the Liverpool Competition.

With an eye on the future, team manager Dexter Fitton has picked a relatively young PCL XI.

Gill's Greenfield club-mate, Australian Alex Bychkov, fills the overseas amateur role.

Friarmere spinner Afaq Ali, who did well on his inter-league debut against the Greater Manchester League last month, retains his place, while Royton's Adam Good forms part of the seam attack.

Walsden pair Josh and Joe Gale have got the nod, along with Monton and Weaste's Ben Chapman and Jake Sandham, former Bamford Fieldhouse youngster Joe Smith-Butler (Littleborough) and Michael Harling (Rochdale) are also included.

With the withdrawal of Greenfield's Alex Peters, Royton's Liam Brown has been added to the XI.

BECAUSE of confusing advice from the league, teams will receive two points apiece for the games rained-off in the Tom Hardman Twenty20 Cup on June 10.

Only one match went ahead ­- Middleton beat Werneth in Group 'C' ­- and that result will stand.

However, T20 rules WILL apply for last Friday's programme affected by the weather. That means those games where no result was obtained ­- they were deemed abandoned on the night ­- the toss of a coin will decide the outcome.

Final group matches take place tomorrow.

Fixtures are (6.15pm) -

Group 'A': Heyside v Monton and Weaste; Micklehurst v Stayley; Moorside v Norden.

Group 'B': Ashton v Crompton; Glodwick v Milnrow; Royton v Hollinwood.

Group 'C': Littleborough v Walsden; Middleton v Saddleworth; Werneth v Shaw Spartans.

Group 'D': Austerlands v Friarmere; Greenfield v Rochdale; Uppermill v Oldham.

CLUBS are requested to hand in any Central Lancashire and Saddleworth League trophies won in 2015, both senior and junior, by the next league meeting (August 2).

EIGHT Pennine Cricket League clubs have had grant applications approved.

Each club will receive up to a maximum of £250 from a fund supplied to the league as part of John Willie Lees Brewery's sponsorship package.

There is sufficient monies left in the pot for all 24 clubs to benefit, but requests must be submitted by July 31 for this year.

More details and application forms are available on the league website.