DARCY Lever skipper Jimmy Walsh-Hill admits the club has discussed their options and a possible future away from the Bolton League.

The Levers outfit could only field nine players in their last outing against Astley Bridge a fortnight ago which ended in a 44-run defeat.

And while some of that was due to the holiday season and the unavailability of players for a team with nothing left to play for in the Association Division, Walsh-Hill says uncertainty over the club’s future in the Bolton League has also played a part.

He said: “I think a lot of people – not just at out club – are disillusioned with what is happening in the league if I’m honest.

“Of the two proposals voted on for a restructure, the right one was chosen because the other was ridiculous – having six teams in the second tier would have killed the division.

“I still think having eight teams playing each other three teams weakens it but that is what we have next year.

“I will be honest there have been discussions with us about the possibility of the GMCL but it has been a mixed response.

“For players like me with young children who may go into cricket at junior level, there is the prospect of having to get to the other sider of Manchester for a 6pm start in midweek and that would be hard.

“Who knows what will happen but it may be an option down the line.

“When the original Bolton Association was lost, I was firmly in the camp of joining the Bolton League because I believe in local cricket.

“But you have to look at how it’s working and I don’t think it’s right at the minute for whatever reason.

“And that uncertainty is affecting turnout.”

Walsh-Hill admits having a season that is petering out does not help with availability and believes the decision to have no games over what turned out to be a sunny bank holiday was the wrong choice.

But he is hopeful of having a full complement of players to pick from tomorrow when his side hosts league leaders Heaton.

With fellow title challengers Atherton up next, also on home soil, Darcy could have a big say in who wins the title and Walsh-Hill is tipping Heaton to finish at the summit.

He added: “On what we have seen, playing against both once, I think Heaton are the better side.

“Of course, we aim to beat both if we can and I suppose having a say adds some interest for us in thise last few games.

“But when we played at Atherton, we should really have won.

“I think we got them out for 140 and were 90-3 before we collapsed.

“Hopefully we can do well against both in the next two weeks and we should have 11 men out there this time.

“Considering we only had nine men last time out against Astley Bridge, we did well to pick up a bonus point – it was a good effort considering and we held our own with the bat.

“Admittedly, it being the school holidays affects availability but some people have lost interest with the season whimpering out.

“If we were challenging, I’m sure we would be at full strength but I’m at a loss as to how you change that.”

Weekend fixtures

Tomorrow

Bolton League

Premiership Division: Adlington v Farnworth, Bradshaw v Westhoughton, Farnworth Social Circle v Lostock, Horwich RMI v Kearsley, Little Lever v Walkden.

Association Division: Atherton v Astley Bridge, Blackrod v Tonge, Daisy Hill v Little Hulton, Darcy Lever v Heaton, Eagley v Golborne.

GMCL

(12.30pm start)

Premier Division: Egerton v Roe Green.

Division 1B: Astley and Tyldesley v Edgworth.

Sunday

Bolton League

Peter Stafford Trophy

Final (1pm at Horwich RMI): Horwich RMI v Bradshaw.