DAVE Tattersall believes his Bolton League side will face their strongest challenge yet since he took over as manager.

The Bolton League have only lost the annual head-to-head twice since 1999, but their coach believes this season’s contest is anything but a foregone conclusion.

For a start, they have home advantage, with the match being played at Flixton tomorrow, starting at 1pm.

But while Tattersall backs his batsmen to shine on a wicket that has yielded hundreds of runs this summer, he believes the teams are more evenly matched than they have been in recent years.

“The Association look to have one of, if not the strongest sides we have faced since I have been involved with the team,” said Tattersall, who took charge of the League for the first time five years ago.

“So I think it will be the best Axford Trophy there has been for a long time – it should be a really even match.”

Both teams reached the last four of the Inter-League Trophy this season, but Bolton League went on to beat Association conquerors North Lancashire and Cumbria in the final.

And the Axford Trophy allows for the addition of three pros or overseas players to that set-up.

“Clearly the pros from both sides will have a massive influence on the match, but the Association have some very good amateurs as well and look very strong, on paper at least,” added Tattersall.

“We know all about Luke Perry, who has played for the Bolton League on more than one occasion.

“He is a very good batsman and will maybe have a little bit to prove so will be very dangerous. I must admit I don’t know too much about the Bury lads as the club is new to the league.

“But Bury are clearly a good club as they have done well in their first season, so their players will only make the Association stronger.”

Tom Liversedge, Steve Foster and Atiq uz-Zaman have made way from the team that won the inter-league final, with pros Adil Nisar (Farnworth), Amal Athulathmudali (Egerton) and Usman Arshad (Eagley) replacing them.

“Adil Nisar has never missed one of these matches since I have been manager and has been the most consistent pro in the league for many seasons, so he is a big asset for us,” added Tattersall.

“Amal is the most in-form batsman in the league, making him an easy pick, while Usman has shown great loyalty to the team over the years and has been doing very well this season despite playing in a struggling side.

“With such fine batsmen to add to those already in the team, then if the batting track lives up to reports I think that plays into our hands a little.

“If it comes to a batting contest, I would back our batting line-up all day long.”