SO at nearly halfway in the newly formed Bolton Cricket League we certainly have had some unexpected results, scores, performances, league table positions and more club appeals than blue peter.

Things have been far from dull in the past few weeks, and hopefully with the introduction of some great summer weather (fingers and everything crossed) the league season should finish to a tremendous crescendo.

It's hard to see past both Farnworth teams, Walkden or the recent resurgence of Kearsley, Heaton and Horwich. However at this stage not many people would of predicted Bradshaw and Little Lever being down towards the bottom of the league, I myself can see both these clubs going on a bit of a run, but you just never know?

No one will be giving either side an easy game in the coming weeks! For me Daisy Hill (who almost battered Farnworth in the opening round of the Hamer cup) Adlington and Eagley have been the surprise packages all winning four league games up to now.

I hope they don't mind me saying that they have all performed well against the so called "better sides" and taken a few prize scalps along the way. More impressive performances for these sides and others will almost certainly have a bearing on the potential league winners come September time, more importantly for the majority of clubs who will finish in the top division places?

As for the other competitions being fought for at present, the new "spruced up" version of T20 cricket has certainly given clubs a healthy insight into bigger crowds, bigger bar takings, music being played during the matches (can I just say Jack Duffy on the decks at Walkden last week was absolutely brilliant, great tunes Jack, can you send me your playlist?).

Coloured clothing which has been greatly supported by pretty much all the clubs, Harry McGuire of iscoop photography does a fantastic job getting round the BCL clubs making sure everyone gets noticed online, in the paper itself or on social media.

All these factors, in my humble opinion have made the competition more enjoyable for players and spectators. Unfortunately with every positive there is always a negative, and at my club our junior practice night has suffered even when we play away from home, as our coaches and professional all play for the club in this competition, maybe we should change to another night? But on the other hand I do think the games are much better supported and enjoyable on a Friday night, a catch 22 situation you might say, nevertheless our junior players love to come and watch the seniors play t20, who knows what lies ahead in the future for these young boys and girls.

We also got our first taste of 40 over cricket last Sunday, and again with the introduction of coloured kits it must have looked great for the spectators. Bradshaw brought a very strong team to Farnworth, obviously looking to do a serious job in this competition, unfortunately after some big hitting by Stuart Hornby and Atiq Uz Zaman the game was abandoned due to the monsoon and torrential downpours that we received "non-stop" throughout the afternoon, I think this competition in particular will be a fantastic "stepping-stone" for 2nd XI cricketers and juniors to stake their claim in the 1st XI ranks. What more of a challenge could they undertake facing the bowling of some very gifted professionals and amateurs in the league as well as taking them on with the bat, their youthful exuberance and fitness will be most helpful in the field, saving runs and supporting the bowlers, mark my words I can see some very talented youngsters emerging during the 40 over competition.

Moving away from Bolton cricket league competitions, the Lancashire Knockout has just thrown up a very interesting encounter by drawing two Bolton League clubs together, the winners of Farnworth and Westhoughton will book their place in the quarter final against the winners of Read or Moorside, obviously I'm very biased over this tie and want Farnworth to progress, but yet again another year goes by where two Bolton league teams are contesting in the latter stages of the county's premier competition, a winner from either club would see a 12th time that this coveted trophy has been won by Bolton League team, good luck to all involved when the tie takes place at Bridgeman Park, Sunday July 3.