Lancashire League: Saker's pledge (28 August 1999)

28 August 1999

Lancashire League: Saker's pledge

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Dave Saker is relishing next summer's return to the EW Cartons Lancashire League, but he has some unfinished business first.

The popular Enfield professional wants to help lift his side as high as possible by the end of the season and there will be no better opportunity to climb into the top half of the table than against Todmorden at Dill Hall Lane tomorrow.

Saker is also hoping that this season's experiences will help him to do even better next year.

But the Australian has made an all-round contribution in more senses than one.

Apart from his runs and wickets in the first team, he has been a good influence on the club's youngsters.

And, in fact, one of Enfield's most talented teenagers, David Bracewell, will spend next winter in Australia with Saker.

"He'll play club cricket and it will be very good experience for him," said the Aussie.

"David has batting and bowling ability and he will benefit from it."

The league has made a lasting impression on the Aussie, who stands up against those who tend to decry present-day standards.

"The good thing I have found is that it's a very strong league," he said. "Some of the older people say standards have dropped but I think it's pretty strong all round, with some good amateurs and a number of good professionals around. It has surprised me in some respects."

On the debit side, he would like to see more consistency with umpiring - but which player wouldn't!

Enfield lie alongside Todmorden in mid-table, which is just about right given the results between the two sides this season.

Todmorden won a tight league game at Centre Vale by a handful of runs and Enfield triumphed in their cup quarter-final tie which went to the last over.

Top and bottom clash at Alexandra Meadows tomorrow, with East Lancs taking on Rishton, while their title rivals Nelson go to Turf Moor, where Burnley will have Netherfield's Queensland batsman Geoff Foley as their substitute professional.

Meanwhile, Lowerhouse have re-signed South African batsman Martin van Jaarsveld as professional for next summer. Van Jaarsveld has already broken Kirti Azad's club record of 1,069 runs in a season and also picked up 48 wickets to help Lowerhouse to third place in the league.

Sunday's fixtures: Burnley v Nelson, Church v Accrington, Colne v Lowerhouse, East Lancs v Rishton, Enfield v Todmorden, Ramsbottom v Haslingden, Rawtenstall v Bacup.

Source :: Lancashire Evening Telegraph (https://www.reednews.co.uk/let/)