The following day we enjoyed a great win against Kent at the second county ground at Beckenham.

Side by side with the Crystal Palace training ground it is a really attractive ground – similar in some ways to Lancashire’s outgrounds although it does boast a permanent stand.

One thing it does not boast, though, is a decent view for the scorers.

In theory a first-floor balcony should provide a great view, but the reality is somewhat different.

The choice is to try to either look through a gap or stretch to peer over it.

As it happens the way we played probably meant it was a blessing in disguise as we slumped to a heavy defeat in what was truly stamina-sapping heat.

Back in Bolton, and after a hard-fought game at Horwich saw another defeat for Lostock's first XI, it was up at the crack of dawn to drive down to Welbeck CC for a game against Nottinghamshire.

Welbeck is a great venue and owes its existence to local businessman, Sir John Fretwell, who had a dream of Nottingham playing games in the north of the county rather than just at Trent Bridge.

Completed in 2007 it boasts two full-size cricket ovals – the main one capable of hosting crowds of up to 5,000 people – two full-size football pitches, a bowling green and a state-of-the-art indoor cricket centre, not to mention a superb clubhouse.

Fretwell’s dream has been fulfilled as Notts often stage one-day games there, and the women’s team are based here.

A pleasant day in the sunshine saw the girls bounce back to form with a solid five-wicket win to make the trip worthwhile.

The umpires for the day were a little over-officious and it was somewhat worrying they did not know how many overs an 18-year-old spinner could bowl in one spell.

The fact these are county games seems to bring the worst out in some umpires – particularly the farther south you go, and it is fair to say they are not as good as those around Lancashire.

After an exciting game saw Lostock beat Daisy Hill on their first-ever visit our almost new Chew Moor ground, which was marred only by the fact I had to score solo, it was off to Bamford Fieldhouse for the first Roses clash of the season.

It was my first visit to Bamford and on a beautiful sunny day the ground looked a picture.

It is a well-appointed ground with sightscreens mounted on runners that slide along behind the relevant wicket and boasts a comfortable, elevated score box with a pretty good view of the gently sloping ground.

It also has a smart, comfortable clubhouse and well-appointed changing rooms, and the lunch was superb – not much to complain about really other than Yorkshire edging us out by 12 runs in a game of 450 runs.

One unusual aspect of the ground is the overhead electricity lines that pass over the ground, and one could not help pondering if anyone had ever hit them (and what the ball would look like if they did).

Suffice to say everyone at the county was well impressed and I’m sure we’ll be back again in future years – albeit starting next week against Somerset.

Next up was the start of the first intense period of the season – from Friday, May 25, with eight days of scoring out of the next 10 in store if the weather holds good.

It didn't, as the opening game of the sequence at RMI was washed out by a storm of biblical proportions which flooded Chorley New Road as well as the ground.

It was a massive shame as T20 nights there are a major highlight of the season.

Saturday at Kearsley saw us lose a low-scoring game on, shall we say, a sporty wicket, and then it was back to Bamford for the visit of Somerset in the Lancashire Women's next game.

Somerset’s scorer bursts with pride as she spends the afternoon regaling me with tales of her daughter’s latest performances.

Still, it was a good day capped with an impressive win to keep any hope of retaining our title alive.

The visit of current leaders Hampshire to Heywood was a pivotal game in both teams' seasons, and lived up to expectations.

Heywood, as usual, looked a picture and it was pleasing to see quite a sizeable crowd on the ground to cheer on the sides.

Despite a beautiful day, it was pretty chilly in the score box, much to the amusement of those outside in the sun.

We were treated to two special innings – firstly from Lancashire’s England academy batter, Emma Lamb, who made 91 of a total of 199, and then by New Zealander Suzie Bates, who showed why she is rated one of the best in the world with a magnificent century to see her side through to the win.

It was the end of our title hopes but a great advert for the women’s game.