IT has been another interesting long weekend watching both junior and senior cricket from Friday onwards.

Possibly the most noticeable thing from playing the old Bolton League teams is the way the top order seem to go after the bowling from the start.

This seems in stark contrast to the former Bolton Association teams who look to be far more circumspect in their approach.

It was also good to see both Karen Knott and Ray Taylor over the weekend, both of whom I skilfully failed to recognise, so humble apologies to both of them!

Sunday took me to the Wigan District under-13 play-off game against Manchester, where there was another lesson for me to learn.

Having seen the game reduced to 30 overs and scoring 207-6, Wigan were considerably behind the run rate at 62-3 after 15 overs.

With five overs left to achieve a result, Manchester left it too late to put the spinners on, and they made no rush to get through the overs.

A replay will now be required at Stretford on Sunday, a game they could have easily avoided.

As I write we are on a boat moored up in the Norfolk broads, so unfortunately I will be missing Saturday's trip to Horwich, which is one I was really looking forward to.

At least there's a plentiful supply of Oakham beer to keep me going. I'm sure Graham Walsh will approve of that.