TONGE are hoping to kick start their season tomorrow after the champions have suffered a disappointing opening.

Not only are they struggling in the league but they suffered a further blow last weekend when they went out of the Thwaites Knockout - a competition they won two seasons ago - at the hands of Blackpool Palace Shield side, Great Eccleston.

Tonge's troubles, with the loss of several senior players, have already been well documented but the outlook at Castle Hill is still positive and they still have proven matchwinners in their side.

Ian Taylor is still one of the most consistent wicket-takers in the league and proved it in the first game of the season when he took eight wickets against Greenmount, while pro Adil Nisar and skipper Simon Anderton, can always be counted on for runs.

On top of that, one of the new faces at the club has now started to make his mark. Andy Northrop has joined his brother Rick and they were the two top scorers in the defeat at Great Eccleston, Rick hitting 33 and Andy unbeaten on 31.

Tomorrow Tonge are at home to bottom side Farnworth when nothing less than 20 winning points will satisfy them.

One of the more intriguing games tomorrow could come at Lower Pools where Heaton entertain Horwich.

Heaton have gone some way to strenghening their side this season, particularly with Paul Rayment joining them and taking up the captaincy.

Key to the game could be Rayment's duel with his opposite number and another South African, Grant Long, who showed some good form last week with 4-29 backed up by an unbeaten 69 in the defeat of Lancashire County League side Denton West in the Thwaites Knockout.

Another game to catch the eye could be the visit of Kearsley to league leaders Westhoughton. Main attraction there could be the two professionals, both of them pacemen, Fazal Akber of Kearsley and Westhoughton's West Indian Dwayne Smith.

Fixtures: Egerton v Astley Bridge, Farnworth SC v Walkden, Greenmount v Bradshaw, Heaton v Horwich, Little Lever v Eagley, Tonge v Farnworth, Westhoughton v Kearsley.