Opening delivery of new Pennine Cricket League sent down by 82-year-old Cec Wright

Official opening of the new Pennine Cricket League
Mayor of Rochdale Surinder Biant cuts the ribbon
Tommy Lees, Keelan Shipley and Cec Wright in the foreground

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The opening delivery of the new JW Lees Pennine Cricket League was sent down by 82-year-old Cec Wright, who has spent most of his career in the CLL and Saddleworth leagues. He first played for Crompton in 1959 and is still going strong with Uppermill.

Facing the bowling of Cec Wright in the ceremonial first over were two U13 players, representing the Oldham and Rochdale representative district teams, Tommy Lees and Keelan Shipley, overseen by the League chairman, Nigel Tench, and long-serving official Brian Cutler as ceremonial umpires.

The new league was officially declared 'open' by the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Surinder and Cecile Biant, along with league president John Holder, at Milnrow's Ladyhouse ground today (Saturday 23 April).

Mayor Surinder Biant said: "On behalf of myself and the Mayoress it gives us great pleasure to be present at this historic occasion. As a lifelong cricket fan it is good to see the sport so popular and successful in the local community.

"I am pleased to see the proceeds of this charity shield are to be donated to Cardiac Research in the Young (CRY) in memory of Tom Hardman, whose parents are guests today.

"It gives me great pleasure to declare the Pennine Cricket League open."

The 40-overs per side charity shield match that followed was between Norden, last season's CLL champions, and Saddleworth, who won the Saddleworth and District League last season.

The Pennine Cricket League has been formed by clubs from the former Central Lancashire League and Saddleworth and District League.

League matches (50 overs per team) will be mainly on Saturdays, and bowlers will be restricted to a maximum of 17 overs.

Second team cricket will be 45 overs per team, bowlers restricted to 12 overs.

The Wood and Tanner cups will be played for.

The Tom Hardman T20 will continue with matches played mainly on Friday evenings.

Third elevens matches will be of 40 overs per side and played mainly on Sundays and bank holidays.

Junior cricket will cover the age groups under nines, under 11s, under 13s, under 15s, and under 18s.