Batting display bodes well for Woodbank captain's title ambitions

Last year's sixth-placed finishers in the top tier of the Lancashire County League posted 202-4 in their 42 overs.

New professional Johnny Whitehead opened with 58, while Gavin Nicholl (68), in his first knock for Woodbank after moving from opponents Walshaw, added a second half century of the innings.

Left-arm spin bowler Damien Stringer, who has been brought in as a genuine all-rounder, then weighed in with 30 at the end of the innings.

Sadly, rain then stopped play.

And while Walshaw were set a revised target of 83 from 20 overs, they were never able to take to the crease.

"It was a shame as I felt we were in a very strong position to get the win," said Harris.

"With the new scoring system, we would have won if Walshaw had failed to reach their target or lose more than three wickets.

"But after a brief stop in the rain it returned around 5 o'clock and by that time the run-ups were too wet and we were running out of time for them to dry out.

"What I saw, though, was a very sensible batting display.

"It was a good game on a difficult wicket. Their bowlers bowled really well but our batters put any bad balls away, which got us up to 200."

Harris says he was happy for the club to be placed in Division One of the new GMCL, rather than being put straight into the top tier.

He believes that has given them more time to acclimatise and says they have assembled a squad more than capable of achieving their stated aim of promotion.

"We have kept the nucleus of the squad from last season and added well," he said.

"Johnny (Whitehead) has been brought in as professional from Lowerhouse, where he won the league and cup double.

"We wanted to bring in people who know how to win leagues because that is our aim.

"We have added Gavin from Walshaw who is a quality player, one who we have been after for a couple of years.

"Damien Stringer is a left-arm spin bowler and middle-order batsman.

"He helps strike a balance with our big hitters and that's what we were missing last year, someone to hold the middle order together.

"He seemed to get to 30 with little or no effort, so already looks like a good addition."

Harris was also struck by the atmosphere in and around the clubhouse.

"One of the biggest features of this new league is number of derbies," he added.

"We have Walshaw and Elton in our division, and Bamford Fieldhouse, who are not a million miles away.

"It was striking that the clubhouse was full, with around 100 people turning up to watch.

"There is a real buzz about the place and I think that bodes well for the future."

Elsewhere in Division One, Elton fell to an eight-wicket defeat at Roe Green. It was the only match featuring local sides in the top two divisions to be completed.

Opener Michael Farley top scored with 12 as they slumped to 65 all out. Andy Hough did the damage for the home side with 7-4 before Roe Green took just 62 balls to reach their target.

In Division Two, Radcliffe lost by two wickets at home to Droylsden while ELPM were all out for 179 away to Walshaw seconds before the match was abandoned.

Results

Greater Manchester Cricket League

Premier Division: Bury v Egerton, Denton St Lawrence v Greenmount, Prestwich v Flixton and Unsworth v Denton West abandoned.

Division One: Roe Green 68-2 Elton 65; Roe Green won by 8 wkts. Woodbank 202-4 Walshaw DNB; match abandoned.

Division Two: Radcliffe 172-5 Droylsden 173-8. Droylsden won by 2 wkts.

Stretford 144 Stand 145-7. Stand won by 3 wkts.

Brooksbottom v South West Manchester, match abandoned.

Division Four West: Walshaw 2nd DNB ELPM 179; match abandoned. Elton 2nd v Tottington St Johns and Winton 2nd v Elton Vale, match abandoned.

Fixtures

Saturday

Premier Division: Flixton v Bury, Glossop v Prestwich, Greenmount v Unsworth.

Division One: Elton v Worsley, Walshaw v Woodhouses, Winton v Woodbank.

Division Two: Stand v Brooksbottom, Thornham v Radcliffe.

Division Four West: ELPM v Winton, Elton Vale v Egerton 2nd, Tottington St Johns v Whalley Range 2nd.