Rounders Scene

FOUR weeks into the BSF Ladies Rounders League season the Section 'A' League table has the old, familiar, look to it.

Darcy Lever C&SC 'A' and Index Bromley Cross top the table, being the only two unbeaten sides.

With only nine teams in Section 'B', the table looks a little odd, but G.J. Ladies lead with four straight wins and Birch's Bakery XI, although well down the list, have won both the matches included in the table. Hough Fold's narrow win over Highfield XI takes them above Highfield in the table.

Horwich RMICC are the only unbeaten team in section 'C' and stayed top thanks to a narrow victory in a close match at Little Lever Cricket Club on Tuesday. The winners of last Wednesday's Section 'D' match between BRUFC and Links-Mono would go top leaving the losers to share second place with Chorley Ladies and Bolton Cricket Club who all have three wins from four matches.

Section 'E' has Fox Trots and Gemini (D.H. Construction) still unbeaten and Trafford XI will share the lead if they beat struggling ARC Pencrete last Thursday.

Adlington Holts XI and Breightmet United Ladies went into their matches last week with prefect records, but with few of the Section 'F' results available, the positions are uncertain. Holts, however, after trailing by 25 - 40 on the first innings against Jolly Carter, pulled back to win by 100 - 84 and stay at the top.

Bolton & District Ladies are the form team in Section 'G' with a four match winning streak behind them, while in Sections 'H' and 'I', Eagley CC 'B' and Jacksons were the only unbeaten sides after their first three matches.

In Section 'J', Bentwood Ladies and Hatfield XI 'A' have won their first four games and opened up a four point gap ahead of the chasing group. Farnworth teams are setting the pace in Section 'K'. Close Cut Ladies and Church Inn both winning their matches to date.

Another Farnworth side, Dave's Shoes & Keys, is the only unbeaten side in Section 'L' while in Section 'M', none of the teams has kept a perfect record.

Redgate Ladies look set to win another title as they are the only unbeaten side in Section 'N'. Last week they had an innings win over second placed Elite XI and they beat M.S.J., close rivals from last season, the week before.

After getting used to losing last season, Man & Scythe have recorded four victories in Section 'O' this time, and Bolton Lads and Girls Club have found the winning touch with three wins out of four. Although it may look like a case of "sour grapes", Bolton Lads & Girls Club felt their defeat at the hands of Hatfield 'B' was as much to do with the state of the pitch as it was to the ability of their opponents.

Without trying to detract from the Hatfield victory, the visitors were very concerned about the amount of dog dirt on the Hatfield Road pitch.

This is a problem on many parks and the club were advised to pass their concerns directly to the Outdoor Services Management of the Bolton MBC who have responsibility for the facility. Players are understandably concerned about the danger to health, but unless the proper authorities are made aware of the problem, the situation is unlikely to improve.

The attention turns to cup and shield action this week.

Because of the Bank Holiday, matches which would normally have been on Monday are scheduled for Thursday. There is, however, one Monday match. Because the Masefield Road ground was water-logged last Tuesday, Cullens (Little Lever) 'B' and M.S.J. agreed to take the opportunity presented by the holiday and arranged to play at 2.00 p.m. All first round matches in the Rayair Plastics Chadwick Cup, the Dixon, Blackburn, Pike and Horwich Shields are squeezed into three nights, Tuesday to Thursday. Referees' Secretary Dennis Foulkes managed to allocate referees to all of these games, but found great difficulty covering the Finestyle Windows and Dorothy Clarke handicap matches next Sunday.

Although only half of the matches are scheduled for Sunday 12th May, there are 31 games, and finding referees proved difficult. Fortunately, four matches are being played in the morning and this has eased the problem.

The remaining matches in these competitions are on Sunday 19th May. Again, if any teams can agree to play in the morning, that will help Dennis with the referees.

Jean Pender (secretary of Little Lever XI) has volunteered to manage the Intermediate Interleague team this season. Players interested in representing the 18 - 25 age group should ring Jean on 01204 410733. Because of her work commitments, players may find difficulty contacting Jean, but she asks that they persevere. When she has a list of interested players, she will arrange practices to suit.

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