Captain Andy Gregory believes his Kearsley side are close to being able to challenge for the Premiership title in the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League.
Kearsley have enjoyed a progressive two seasons. After finishing ninth in the table in 2024, they finished fourth last season - a position they currently hold with two games of this summer remaining.
They have performed encouragingly in various cup competitions as well, including the quarter-finals of this season’s Lancashire Knockout Cup.
Last Saturday, they claimed their 12th win in 20 games, away at Farnworth, doing it by nine wickets chasing a revised target of 163 in 25 overs.
Farnworth substitute professional Jacques Snyman hit an excellent 103 off 69 balls in a 32-over total of 208-6; two wickets apiece for Irfan Kareem and Jack Scott.
Kearsley’s top three batters all then secured the win after their target was adjusted because of the weather.
Openers Mohmedruhan Tirmizi and South African overseas amateur Byron Giraudeaux contributed 66 not out and 45, added to by sub pro Mohammed Jamal’s 48no.
“To be honest, we all rocked up not expecting to play an over,” said Gregory, of Saturday’s game. “But the umpires were like, ‘The ground’s fine, so as long as it isn’t raining too hard, we’ll start’.
“The ball at the end of our bowling innings wasn’t even round because it got so wet. But, at the same time, we wanted to get on.
“Their pro has played a fantastic innings.
“It was a fantastic chase, and our three lads at the top were unbelievable.”
The top five teams in the Premiership all qualify for next season’s Lancs Knockout, and Kearsley are extremely well placed with an eight-point gap to sixth-placed Salesbury and 24 still to play for.
But they want more in the coming seasons, ultimately to challenge the likes of champions Farnworth Social Circle and Little Lever for the top prize.
“It’s something we’ve talked about,” said Gregory.
“But, listen, if you’d have said to us last March or early April (2025) when we had only had three or four players, ‘You’ll qualify for the Lancs Knockout, get to the quarter-finals, get to the quarter-finals of the Hamer Cup and T20 and are challenging for Lancs Knockout again’, myself and the chairman (Steve Pellowe) would have snapped your hand off.”
Gregory continued: “You know, we’re sort of ruing our first half of the season.
“Apart from the two Little Lever games, we’ve not been beaten at all. There were a few games in the first half that we certainly should have won.
“We played Little Lever first game of the second half and lost. But since then, we’re unbeaten in eight with a tie in there.”
And in terms of progression, Gregory added: “Look, we didn’t get much luck with the pro (Karobo Mogotsi). He hasn’t had the best of seasons, and he didn’t bowl.
“We believe we’re that one quality spinner and perhaps someone who can play an innings like Jamal did on Saturday away from challenging for the league title.
“We’ve had early conversations, and we’d love a spin-bowling pro to supplement the options that we already have.
“We’re a pretty settled side from last year. We don’t envisage losing anybody.
“We would love to keep Byron, but he’s going home with his own ambitions of playing first-class cricket. We’ll just have to see how his winter goes.”
Kearsley will get an early opportunity to prove their title credentials when they host Farnworth Social Circle today.
Today’s fixtures: Premiership - Kearsley v Farnworth Social Circle, Little Lever v Farnworth, Lostock v Blackrod, Padiham v Barnoldswick, Read v Astley Bridge, Salesbury v Tonge; Championship - Cherry Tree v Brinscall, Earby v Walkden, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel v Ribblesdale Wanderers, Eagley v Atherton.
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