DUE to the demise of the Pennine League and the transfer of clubs to the Lancashire and Greater Manchester Leagues, along with the combining of the Northern League and Palace Shield over the winter, there was once again an imbalance of clubs in the 2018 Lancashire Knock Out Cup.

The competition began with 11 teams from the Lancashire League, nine from the Northern and Greater Manchester Leagues, seven from the Bolton and Ribblesdale Leagues and Liverpool Competition, five from the Palace Shield, and two apiece from the Greater Manchester Amateur League and the Southport League.

After the first round, the Lancashire League has lost three clubs, including Todmorden, who were defeated at Farnworth, leaving them still with the most representatives, eight.

The Northern League lost just two, leaving them with seven, the Bolton and Greater Manchester Leagues have five teams remaining in the competition with the former losing two and the latter four in round one.

Surprisingly, the Liverpool Competition have only three left with four falling at the first hurdle. The Palace Shield has two and the Ribblesdale League and GMACL one each.

Last season the Lancashire League was the dominant league in the competition, with four of the quarter-finalists and a finalist, but the Liverpool Competition has three very strong teams – Northern, Ormskirk and Bootle – in the second round.

The next round is on Sunday, with Farnworth at home to Penwortham from the Palace Shield and Farnworth Social Circle entertaining Compton from the Lancashire League, who defeated Kearsley in the first round.

Westhoughton travel to Walkden and the only Bolton League club in the bottom half of the draw, Horwich RMI, make the journey up the M6 to Northern League side Penrith.

Last season a number of clubs around the country fell foul of the new Border Agency and England Cricket Board regulations and guidelines, with one club – Frinton-on-Sea – taking the Two Counties League to court after being penalised for continuing to play a young Australian in alleged breach of his visa.

Leagues handled the transgressions in different ways.

One league in the North East stripped one of their clubs of the title after the season had finished and deducted others points, while another in the same region felt that, as the offences had not impinged on their league rules, no action was needed.

Many, but not all, leagues were hoping the regulations would be relaxed for the 2018 season but, if anything, the restrictions are tighter.

Players who are or who have been on a ‘Player-Pathway’, effectively representative cricket, even as a junior are still not eligible, but now the Border Agency and ECB may also be taking into consideration the payment of air fare or accommodation and the use of an agent.

From the end of May the ECB have indicated they will be looking at clubs who may have offended, and have suggested penalties will be stiffer than last year, when warnings were mainly handed out.