THE Manchester Cricket Association has folded.

The League, which has been going since 1892, ceased to exist at its annual meeting two weeks ago.

It has been struggling to keep clubs for the last few years and was left with too few to continue.

Most of the clubs who were still in the league have found new leagues to play in.

But three from Bolton - Bolton Cricket Club, Bolton Indians Sports Club and Deane and Derby Cricket Club – have not and are setting up their own league.

Among the movement of clubs from the Manchester Association to other leagues are Lostock, Winton, Worsley and Swinton Moorside who will be playing in the Bolton Association this season.

They follow Bury who made the same move 12 months earlier and Flixton who did the same in 2008, while Brooksbottoms from Bury moved from the Manchester Association to the Ribblesdale League last year.

Bolton, Bolton Indians and Deane and Derby are setting up a new 25-over league and are calling on any teams wishing to join them to get in touch.

They have eight team already committed to taking part in the competition, with another four required.

Two matches per side will be played on Saturdays between 12 and 8 pm, on the grounds of the above three clubs.

Unlike other limited over matches, only five named players are allowed to bowl the 25 overs, with no individual player bowling less than four or more than seven overs.

The remaining six players, including the wicketkeeper, will bat and not bowl. Named bowlers will only be allowed to bat from position seven onwards.

The deadline for team registration is April 1 and there is a fee of £50.

Anybody interested should contact Mr Muqtadir on 07946 580275 by the end of this month, with the season scheduled to begin on April 26.

Applications can come from companies, clubs and groups of individuals.