Vickers feels title defence will be tough
TOM Vickers believes it will be a tall order for Alnmouth and Lesbury to defend their Division One title, writes TONY HODGSON.
The Northumberland outfit entertains Warkworth tomorrow as a campaign truncated by the coronavirus pandemic finally gets underway.
The seven-game season will look totally different from 2019, when Alnmouth and Lesbury were crowned champions on the final day thanks to an emphatic 10-wicket victory over Stocksfield.
The league has been regionalised into three sections – Alnmouth and Lesbury playing in the northern section.
The winners of each section plus the best runners-up will then contest semi-finals and then a final to decide this year’s champions.
Alnmouth skipper Vickers said: “It is going to be a lot different to what we would normally expect.
“We will face three or four derby matches and we will be up against several sides we don’t normally play.
“However, the main thing is we are playing league cricket agan and I think everyone is just looking forward to getting out there.”
Vickers added: “It will be a tough askfor us to defend our title.
“We are a few bodies down and our Sri Lankan professional Dusham Hemantha is unable to come across because of the pandemic.
“Paul Straker will again be a key man for us with the bat and we have some prlomising young lads coming through, so we will give it our best shot.”
Alnmouth and Lesbury at least go into the new season on a high after claiming their first silverware of the summer on Sunday.
In a Smithson County Cup Plate final held over from last year, they defeated Percy Main by four wickets – triumphing with two balls to spare.
TOMORROW’S FIXTURES all 1.00) – Division One: Alnwick v Morpeth, Bates Cottages v Tillside, Bedlington v Backworth, Warkworth v Alnmouth and Lesbury.
Division Two: Blagdon Park v Ashington Rugby Club, Cowgate Sports v Percy Main, Newcastle City v Ponteland, Swalwell v Seaton Burn.
Division Three: Corbridge v Annfield Plain, Lintz v Stocksfield, Ryton v Whickham, Tynedale v Consett.
REPORTS ON ALL THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION IN WEDNESDAY’S GRASSROOTS SPORT