Edgworth captain Guy Haynes gives his views on the Bolton Association
The closest there has come to a shock result this season was Edgworth's first-day defeat to Daisy Hill.
The match was notable for a sublime unbeaten century by Daisy's Luke Proctor, which highlighted the importance of deputy professional in the Anthony Axford Bolton Association.
Exactly half of the clubs in the Association fielded deputy pros during the first week of the season. In 2007, the top three teams in the league each employed deputy pros for five or more matches. Edgworth won all of these fixtures, Little Hulton were similarly successful.
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Predictably, there have been accusations that clubs who employ deputy professionals are given an unfair advantage. Sanjay Bangar, Saeed Anwar Junior, Brenton Parchment and Usman Tariq each played for one of the top three clubs last year.
It is doubtful whether Edgworth, Little Hulton or Walshaw would have the ability or the means to attract players of this calibre on a full-time basis; yet they are free to recruit them for a one-off game within the rules.
It is easy to see why people are concerned. Some want to change the rules, only allowing clubs to employ deputies if their normal professional is certified as injured or ill; others want deputy pros outlawed altogether.
Despite changes being proposed before the start of the season, however, nothing has changed, with clubs choosing to keep the law as it is. Opponents will point to naked self-interest, perhaps with some justification, but there are more compelling reasons to resist any change.
Deputy pros are becoming more prevalent for several reasons. Overseas seasons are finishing later and starting earlier, and players are often forced to shorten their English season because of first-class commitments at home - as happened to Walshaw's Indulkar last year.
Restrictions around work permits are becoming tighter, owing to political and security concerns, while the process of obtaining a visa is highly likely to overrun - this is a particular concern for Pakistani and Indian players. This is on top of the risk of losing your pro to one of the "three I's" - injury, illness or international call-ups.
In short, if clubs were denied the insurance of a deputy professional, most would feel that employing a top overseas player would be too risky, and opt instead for a decent English player. The Association has improved dramatically in the past few years, and this is largely down to the clubs being willing to employ good, first-class players as their professional. While the Bolton and Lancashire leagues still pride themselves on recruiting true professional cricketers, this is no longer the case elsewhere, especially since the advent of Premier League Cricket.
I have gained much over the years by playing with and against such players, and I know this view is shared by many local cricketers and, indeed, spectators.
Any move that is likely to see the end for the true first-class professional can only be seen as a backward step, and should be resisted at all costs.
Meanwhile, freakish weather conditions and bowler-friendly pitches have dominated the opening three weekends of the Bolton Association season, just as they did for the majority of last year.
There have already been 11 teams dismissed for less than 100; no team has yet passed the 200 mark. If you're a batsman, times are hard at the moment Despite the obvious scope for surprises in these conditions, results so far have been almost as predictable as the great British weather. Of the four unbeaten teams, Walshaw, Spring View and Little Hulton were in last season's top four and are hotly tipped for success this year, while the addition of a batting professional should help Daisy Hill add consistency with the bat to their already strong bowling unit.
Darcy Lever, whose recruitment of Chris Street from Atherton should ensure a strong showing this year, and last year's champions, Edgworth, complete the top six. Elton and Standish finished in the top six last season, but each have lost key players and may need to rebuild.
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