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Start of the NTSL is delayed
THE NTSL were scheduled to
have the privilege of being the
first league in the new North-East
pyramid system out of the blocks
when their season was planned to
open tomorrow, although due to
the adverse weather of the last
few weeks the opening programme
has been put back en bloc
until Monday, May 26.
Nevertheless, league chairman
Ron Bradford was still able to
comment on the new set up, saying:
"We are delighted the new
structure has finally been put in
place and, as we were two clubs
short of a full complement, we
have, so far as this league is concerned,
brought forward procedures
to enable two clubs to enter
the League in 2008.
"Chopwell and Cowgate have
joined us with the good wishes of
the Northumberland League."
Both those sides begin their
NTSL life in Division A2 and it
will be intriguing to see how
they fare. However, most eyes
will be glued to the Premier
Division where the contest was
riveting last year. There was a
truly titanic battle for the title
and whilst the closeness of that
contest will be hard to repeat not
unnaturally a number of teams
harbour hopes of success this
time around.
Swalwell emerged as worthy
champions in 2007 and they will
once again be in the mix for
honours. They have a settled
squad, the one departure being
David Rutherford, who has
moved to Philadelphia. However,
ex-Durham player Nicky Phillips
will no doubt prove a more than
adequate replacement pro', the
only other newcomer being
Chris Mee, an opening bowler
from Clara Vale.
Swalwell's title win broke
Tynedale's three year
domination - while the runnersup
spot would satisfy many it's a
certainty that the former
champions efforts will be
redoubled this year as they try to
reclaim their crown.
While they have lost the
irreplaceable Scott Kay, who has
moved back to Australia, they do
have two new signings in ex pro'
Gary Hunter from Consett and
Mark Dixon from Corbridge.
Richard Darling will lead the
side, with Stuart Graham
continuing as the professional.
Leadgate finished a close third
last time out and the arrival of
the evergreen Dave Jackson
from Shotley Bridge will boost
their squad. However, Gary
Innes has moved to Chopwell,
and negotiations for an overseas
professional have stalled. Lee
Murray will captain the side.
Lintz have never had a
professional, preferring to
develop and bring on their own
youngsters. That they were
realistic contenders throughout
most of 2007 speaks volumes for
this admirable policy. Skipper
Gary Christie has all last year's
players available again, and with
that experience under the
youngsters' belts the club are
expecting great things.
Elsewhere within the league
there are one or two intriguing
signings. Annfield Plain bring in
Sri Lankan all rounder Lasith
Fernando, an off spinning all
rounder with a healthy first
class batting average of 34, while
Newcastle City have Indian
Sumeet Sharma, another with
first class pedigree, replacing
Amit Uniyal who joined the ICL.
Aman Dhindsa has moved on to
Shotley Bridge, but Alan
Anderson and Kamran Mansoor
have joined from Cowgate, and
Aamir Sohail returns after a
short spell with Philadelphia.
Benwell & Walbottle welcome
back Anirudh Singh, a winner
with Hyderabad Heroes in the
recent ICL final, and will be
captained by Geoff Prudhoe,
while Ashington are currently
unable to confirm their pro' for
the season but have seen Paul
Straker depart to Bedlington and
Ross Symington to Bates.
Shotley Bridge will miss Dave
Jackson, and have also lost John
Collingwood who has emigrated
to Australia. However, they have
Aman Dhindsa who will bring
left arm spin variety to their
attack, and hope to announce a
useful overseas pro' shortly.
Sacriston had availability
issues with their professional
last season and have decided to
go into the campaign without a
replacement. Batsman wicketkeeper
Travis King, a Western
Australian overseas amateur,
represents the only new blood,
but Harry Hubber captains, and
Melvyn Betts and Martin
Hubber will play.
The two newly-promoted sides
recognise the task facing them if
they are to consolidate their topfight
position. But the matches
involving Ryton will certainly
absorb more scorers time than
most other games after the
acquisition of Sri Lankan Anil
Rideegammanagedara.
Thankfully, the leg spinning all
rounder is happy to have his
name shortened to Ridee'. The
much travelled Farrukh Iqbal
has also joined from Blackhall so
there are genuine hopes that the
club can hold their own.
Backworth accept that they
may not have the strength of
other sides but are looking for
further progression by building
on their promotion. Sumit Puri
plays, but as an amateur, while
Warwick Green is a new arrival.
The opening bowler hails from
Brighouse but is currently at
University. The only departure
has been that of Darren Leason
to Morpeth.
The rest of the North-East
cricket season will be previewed
in next Friday's Local Heroes
11:19am Friday 18th April 2008
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