PLAYERS from the Bolton League and Bolton Association will bring an end to 44 years of “friendly rivalry” tomorrow when they compete in the last ever Axford Trophy match.

The annual inter-league game, which began life as the Trinity Cup back in 1971, will be contested for the final time at Darcy Lever Cricket Ground.

Bolton Association is expected to fold at the end of the season, as its member clubs either join a new league structure in the town or move to the newly formed Greater Manchester Cricket League next year.

And Association chairman Frank Jackson, who played in the first ever game between the two leagues, admits it will be a sad day but will surely stoke many fond memories for players, past and present, from both leagues.

“It will probably be the last time we play the game, no matter what happens with the leagues,” he said.

“So it will be a sad day in many respects as I think everyone who has been involved over the years have enjoyed playing in it and will have many fond memories of the day.

“The game has always been played with a very friendly rivalry ¬- it has been really good for both leagues.

“It has been well contested on the field, but the players have always shared their commiserations in the bar afterwards one way or another, whatever the result.”

Marshall and his Association side won the very first encounter and enjoyed a good run of success in the 1970s and 80s but the League has held sway in recent years.

In total, the League has won the trophy 28 times, with only three matches lost to the weather, while the Association has had 12 victories, with the last coming in 2010.

Jackson added: “I think players from both sides will be more eager than ever to win it this year, with it being the last one. Let’s just hope the weather holds off so we can get a result.”

Bolton Association team: Ashley Perry (capt - Flixton), Luke Perry (Flixton), Simon Belston (Bury), Ashen Silva (pro – Bury), Majid Majeed (pro – Adlington), Iain Critchley (Adlington), David Flanagan (Lostock), Jamar Griffith (Atherton), Michael Norris (wk - Darcy Lever), Jack Shovelton (Adlington). One more to be confirmed.

Bolton League team: Phil Ingram (capt – Greenmount), Charlie Dorsey (Kearsley), Will Halton (Egerton), Danny Naylor (Westhoughton), Adil Nisar (Farnworth), Danny Partington (wk – Egerton), Adam Street (Egerton), David Tonge (Farnworth Social Circle), Travis Townsend (pro – Greenmount), Mahela Udawatte (pro – Egerton), Kamran Younis (pro – Bradshaw).