EGERTON skipper Will Halton is under no illusions of the size of the task facing his side as they bid to make it three titles in a row.

Halton's men won their first ever championship in their final season in Bolton League in 2015.

They then followed that up by winning last year's inaugural Greater Manchester Premier League.

But Egerton have been weakened by the departure of leading seam bowler Adam Street, who has moved to Australia, while the captain believes competition in the GMCL top tier will be stronger this time round.

Egerton, who begin this year's Premier League campaign today at home to Denton St Lawrence, have not rested on their laurels, convincing Lancashire to loan them talented Boltonian spinner Matt Parkinson, while former professional Mahela Udawatte has returned.

They have also drafted in opening bowler Ramiz Patel from newly promoted side Roe Green and added talented Sri Lankan all-rounder Sahan Suraweera as their overseas amateur.

The arrival of Suraweera was seen as the final piece in the jigsaw by Halton after the club had tried – and seemingly managed – to sign former Greenmount all-rounder Ryan Senior.

"Ryan signed for 24 hours but then decided to go back to Greenmount, then a few days later turned up at Bamford Fieldhouse," said Halton.

"It was a funny one, but everything has worked out in the end.

"Sahan will give us the runs we were looking for from Ryan and also add to our bowling options.

"We will of course miss Adam Street. He was an integral part of our two title successes and one of the best bowlers in the league.

"Matt Parkinson is a different type of bowler, obviously, but we are hopeful he will be able to match Adam's wicket haul, or maybe get more.

"The club has a pitch set up for the spinners, so it could be a really good strip for Matt and we are all really excited to have him here.

"Lancashire will always come first, but whenever games don't clash or he isn't selected then we will have his services and expect him to play quite a few games."

Bamford Fieldhouse won promotion to the Premier League last season and are already one of the favourites to clinch the title after dipping into their deep coffers to build a strong side.

Halton added: "Everyone expects Bamford to win it this season and there is no doubt they will be the ones to beat.

"But I think pretty much every team has strengthened. Glossop have signed some good players, Roe Green have picked up a lot of the lads that left Bamford and I think Denton St Lawrence have made some good signings.

"I am happy with the balance in our squad, though, and I hope to see us competing for honours again."

At one stage over the summer it looked as if this could be Egerton's final season in GMCL after they applied to enter the Lancashire League.

But after the Lancashire League accepted their application, the club decided not to make the switch.

Halton, who is the players' representative on the GMCL board, revealed his relief at the decision.

"To be honest, in the end the there was no decision to make and the members did not even need to vote on it, the feeling was unanimous that we were a GMCL club and we were happy where we were," he said.

"It was all a bit last minute that the opportunity was put to the club as an option. We felt we should apply before the deadline to give us time to think about it, knowing there would always have to be a vote.

"But it was always the GMCL for me. I obviously have a connection with the league, which made it difficult.

"The fact is though that we know cricket always goes in cycles and we would not always be strong. As a multi-tiered league the GMCL allows us to find our level.

"Travelling was also an issue for the second team in the Lancashire League as their games would not be regionalised, and playing the majority of games on a Sunday was a sticking point for the players as well."

Elsewhere, Edgworth, who were relegated from the top tier last season, begin life in Division One with a trip to Woodhouses.

In Division Two, Astley and Tyldesley are at Brooksbottom, and Deane and Derby entertain Elton Vale in Division Three.