Major problems loom with backlog

Jul 2 2007 by Paul Edwards, Liverpool Daily Post

THE possibility of a major fixture backlog loomed yesterday for three Business Assistance Liverpool Competition clubs after a combination of waterlogged squares and heavy showers caused their Cockspur Cup Group Finals to be abandoned without a ball bowled.

Northern’s game against Firwood Bootle will now be played at Moor Park a week today as a 40-over affair with a 3pm start, although both sides also have Lancashire Cup games on Sunday and therefore face the prospect of three high-profile matches in three days.

Ormskirk’s clash with Cheshire County League outfit, Hyde, was also called off in mid-afternoon and the clubs have yet to agree a new date for the game.

Northern captain Phil Cooper remained optimistic about his squad’s capacity to cope with a tough schedule.

“As far as I know, availability isn’t a problem and, in any case, we’ve already shown that we can play with key players missing,” he said yesterday.

“We had two 15-year-olds, Jack Boardman and James Morrissey, in the side and, along with Karl Garcia and others, they’re names for the future.

“Also, I think Nick Woods’ cricketing commitments at Oxford University end with Saturday’s One-Day Varsity match at Lord’s on Saturday, so he should be back with us soon.”

Northern’s season has been plagued by the unavailability of some players and injury to others, including Cooper himself, but the Moor Park side are one of six clubs covered by 27 points at the top of the Premier League table and the skipper believes that the destiny of the title will not be decided until well into September.

“I think it’ll be tight to the end of the season,” he said.

“The outcome will depend largely on how the next top six perform against each other and I can’t see anyone forging ahead.”

Cooper also pointed out the surprising statistic that his side has batted first in every one of its league games this season and he paid tribute to the spinners who had played a major role in Northern’s seven league victories.

“Our slow left-armer, Jack Woosey, has taken 35 wickets and he’s been phenomenal,” said Cooper. “John Wildman had a very good start to the season and Carl Hey has recently stepped up to the plate as well.”