ATHERTON admit they do not expect to be challenging for the Bolton Association title for a third season running.

The 2013 champions and runners-up last year have had two neck-and-neck battles with Flixton for the top spot in the last two years.

But while they promise to be as competitive as ever in matches, they have set a more realistic goal this time round.

The Association's new rule to allow only one professional or overseas player this season – down from a pro and an overseas or two overseas players in previous years – has brought about a different philosophy at Higham Park.

Instead of going all out for the title with a team full of experience and two paid players, they will blood more young talent who are ready to make the move up.

Jamar Griffith is back for a fourth – and possibly last – season as the overseas player.

And while Atherton have not lost any players, some of the established first-teamers are not able to play as regularly as in previous years.

The only addition has been 17-year-old Harry McManus – a promising left-arm spinner – from Little Hulton.

Atherton believe the new rule will reduce the quality of cricket in the Association, another factor they feel makes it the right time to promote their youngsters.

"When we won the league some of the experienced players from the second team stepped up and played in the first team," said captain Paul Walsh.

"After that they went back and played in the second team and helped the kids come through.

"The kids have been in the second team for the last couple of years and they are 16 and 17 years old now, so it's time to blood them in the first team.

"They also have a better chance to develop this season because the standard of cricket won't be as good because of the new rule.

"We've changed the philosophy and are looking at the bigger picture.

"Some clubs are spending money on other players, we are promoting kids.

"We'll still be going all out to win every game like we always have but we know blooding more kids makes it harder for us to win games.

"We think top six will be a great achievement.

"We've won our first two games and some players have scored runs who haven't scored runs before, which has been pleasing.

"And with Jamar in the team anything can happen, but we're not going to put pressure on ourselves. We're being realistic."

The only disappointment so far was last weekend's defeat to Flixton in the Cross Cup preliminary round.

"We got 180-odd for seven and they knocked them off for two," said Walsh.

"They beat us in the quarter-final last year and we beat them in the semi-final the year before when we won it so we weren't happy about losing to them last week."

Saturday fixtures

Bury v Standish, Darcy Lever v Daisy Hill, Edgworth v Flixton, Golborne v Westleigh, Little Hulton v Worsley, Lostock v Blackrod, Swinton Moorside v Atherton, Walshaw v Adlington, Winton v Astley and Tyldesley.