Golborne Cricket Club scorer Paul Vincent begins his new column today by reflecting on his former Bolton Association club's first game in the new expanded Bolton League

SO, after all the debate, arguments and wrangling it was time for a new era as I set out for Tonge in our first Bolton Cricket League game.

Once again, much to Mrs Vincent's chagrin, it was that time of year.

I have always thought that clubs having a pre-season friendly or two wherever possible is good preparation for what lies ahead.

Having been scoring for nearly 25 years I reckon the same principle also applies to myself with scoring.

For the first time in some years, Golborne had no pre-season game and the district junior friendly had also fallen foul of the weather.

Feeling a tad rusty it took a while to get back to basics, especially when the game began to gather momentum.

I am sure this must apply to other scorers also, regardless of how experienced they are.

Last season it was good to see the number of young people turning their hand to scoring, and on Saturday Tonge had three people – one scoring, one manning the board and another learning with a separate book.

Just as we develop and encourage young players through the system, these people need guidance and retention.

They are the future of our game at local level, particularly when people are not easy to come by with so many other interests on offer.

I look forward to going around new grounds in the coming months. Thanks to everyone I've met over the years who have gone to other leagues and I wish them all the best in their new ventures.

As a great connoisseur of teas, I am happy to report that the one at Tonge was superb – setting a hard standard to follow.

On a final note, on arriving home, Mrs Vincent always asks if we've lost... at least this week I had the first – although I suspect not the last – last laugh!