EGERTON have a double date with Farnworth Social Circle as the Bolton League swings into league and cup action.

Tomorrow Egerton entertain Circle at Longworth Road before travelling to Piggott Street on Sunday when they stage their first defence of the Hamer Cup.

And now would be the perfect time to break their duck and pick up their first win of the campaign.

"We haven't been playing badly," said skipper Tim Barry, "but the weather has been against us. I feel we could have picked up a win against Little Lever on the opening day of the season and we were in a good position last Sunday against Walkden but ended up being washed out by the rain.

"We have picked up more bonus points than any other side in the league but it would be nice to win one and take 20 points from games."

Barry feels that his side has the character and strength to mount a strong challenge for the championship.

"Last year we didn't have a brilliant start and suffered in four games out of the first eight. That set us back but when we started to play later on we won the Hamer Cup and the last six competition.

"The aim this year was to start playing in April rather than July."

The weather, however, has not been kind to them nor has the toss of a coin.

"Against some of the weaker sides in the League we have had to bat first and, although we've set reasonable totals, if these teams decide to stay in, it is very difficult to get them out on the slow wickets we have at the moment, " he said.

"We have a strong bowling line-up and once we get some sun on the wickets and they start to firm up I think we can get some good results."

On the league scene tomorrow, the pick of the action could be at The Tyldesleys where third placed Westhoughton play hosts to champions Tonge while the meeting between near neighbours Astley Bridge and Heaton could have an interesting outcome.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.