BOLTON Association champions Walshaw kick off the new campaign with a trip to Little Hulton.

The Sycamore Road side are approaching the task of lifting their fourth consecutive league title very seriously.

Last Saturday they used the net facilities at Barrow and had arranged a warm up game for the day after until the weather intervened and the game was cancelled.

The batting side of the team has been strengthened with the acquisition of former Ramsbottom player Mark Dentith.

But it's a case of as you were for the rest of the first team squad with Rob Faulkner continuing as captain and Jonathan Fielding again sure to be a big influence as professional.

Rivals Elton have a double header to kick start their campaign with a home league clash against Darcy Lever followed by an ECB Knockout clash against Wigan-based Highfield CC.

The Leigh Lane lads will have a youthful look to them this term with an average age well below the mid-twenty mark.

Chris Hall is back as professional at the ground he cut his cricketing teeth on while club stalwart Andy Chappell skippers the side.

Last weekend they kicked out the cobwebs with a trip to the south west to take on Bristol side Stapleton.

Although a title charge is perhaps out of the question with such a young side there's enough promising talent and team spirit at the club to ensure they don't struggle.

GREENMOUNT take to the field at Bradshaw on Sunday with a new professional in Indian star Robin Morris.

The 25-year-old who plays first class cricket for Bombay is an opening batsman in the one day game and first change medium pace bowler.

The villagers also have a new skipper in paceman Mark Stewart who takes over from Gary Chadwick.

Classy allrounder Jimmy Horrox has been welcomed back into the fold while former Lancashire Schoolboys player and former York City skipper John Sharples should get among the runs on his return to the club following his move back to the area from Yorkshire.

The first team squad haven't been weakened by any departures so they ought to expect a far better campaign than the miserable one they endured in 2001.