Two become one at the bottom

THERE is a new look to the bottom division of the North Staffs and South Cheshire League this summer, writes

CHRIS TRAVERS.

Last summer the league ran eight teams in Division Eight and five in Division Nine.

But the winter months have seen big alterations, proving a point that providing as much cricket as possible runs right the way down the ladder.

Division Nine has been dispensed with, and in its place is an expanded Division Eight.

There will be 16 teams in the new-look division - and although sides won’t play every team twice, the bulked out set-up means that there will be no free weekends for clubs.

There has been some exits from the league, most notably Meakins fourths, who have withdrawn from the competition after a raft of departures over the winter saw them unable to commit to fielding four teams on a Saturday.

But there has been expansion as well, with extra sides being added and new clubs also joining the bottom division.

Cheadle, a club which is experiencing healthy growth, has added a fourth team to their roster due to increased demand for playing opportunities.

That gives them another rung on the ladder to ensure that promising juniors - and even players entering the twilight of their careers - still have as much access to senior cricket as they wish.

Whitmore, who have swelled their ranks considerably in the close season, are another side who have added an extra team to their senior commitments in order to bridge the gap from age-group cricket.

Nantwich thirds are another newcomer to the set-up.

Their two senior sides are in the Cheshire competition, but the thirds, which was created after the Dabbers joined forces with Weston, will ply their trade in Division Eight.

Another new team to follow the progress of is Market Drayton.

They have been members of the Stone and District League on a Sunday, but have played their Saturday cricket in the Shropshire League.

However, they have now opted to make the leap across the county border and join the NSSCL.

They will be hoping to follow the lead of Audlem, who moved to the competition and have thrived since becoming members, winning promotion in style in their first season and narrowly missing out on moving up against last summer.

And the big number of clubs means that there will be different ambitions over the course of the 22 weeks.

For some, it will all be about developing young players and helping them to move through their club’s teams to eventually become part of the firsts.

However, for others, there will be the determination to challenge for promotion to make a move up the divisions.

Betley seconds have returned to action following a spell on the sidelines - and they will be keen to make an instant impact.

Moddershall & Oulton sixths and Wedgwood seconds were relegated from Division Seven last year and will be eying up a season of success this time around.