COLNE have sensationally sacked their professional Mark Cleary for breach of contract after just one game.

The Aussie quick bowler had his contract ripped up after walking out on The Horsfield side to play for Leicestershire.

The player was notified that his services were no longer required after joining the County club without permission.

Chairman Trevor Lonsdale said: "We are very upset about the way Mark has conducted himself. We did not give him permission to talk to Leicestershire and the club did not approach us about the player."

The 23-year-old, who scored 63 in the defeat against Accrington last Sunday, has signed a short term contract with Leicestershire as a replacement for their overseas South African fast bowler, Garnett Kruger.

Lonsdale added: "We did all the hard work to get him here, find him a nice house and give him a car and he goes and does this. It makes you wonder if it was all pre-planned."

The club is hoping South African Sean Adams will sub pro at Todmorden on Saturday while West Indian all-rounder, Daren Powell, will definitely stand in for the home match against Rishton on Sunday.

A full time replacement professional is expected to be announced later today.

Alistair Harrison, 16, should make his league debut in the TODMORDEN side, while Dave Hatton replaces Jon Campbell.

RAWTENSTALL will start with the team that shared the Colne Cup with East Lancs last Saturday.

The Worswick Memorial Ground side travel to Rishton tomorrow before entertaining Nelson on Sunday.

Chairman Brian Payne said: "We were suited with our performance against East Lancs last Saturday but a little disappointed the match was drawn because I think we could have gone on to win."

First team regular, Richard Wood is available again but will play for the Seconds.

Meanwhile, RISHTON'S preparations for the game have been thrown into turmoil by the news that left-arm spinner Colin Sibley is unlikely to play this season.

"I left a message for him to ring me but he never got back to me. I think it's work commitments," said Jonathon Dobson, the Rishton captain.

Shaun Hutchinson is also missing tomorrow so Paul Whalley and Michael Winkley have been called in as replacements.

ENFIELD captain Mas Ahmed believes the Lancashire League should review their early season fixtures to avoid sides being depleted in the crossover period between football and Cricket.

Ahmed will be without at least five first team regulars for the trip to Bacup tomorrow due to the players' local football commitments.

He said: "I'm sending virtually half of our second team to Bacup, which is going to be a tough game for us."

However Enfield, who have got Martin Smith as their sub-professional tomorrow as Alviro Petersen is not due to arrive until next month, are expected to be back to full strength for their home game against Lowerhouse on Sunday.

Unlucky James Cunliffe misses out as BACUP host Enfield. The promising batsman hurt his elbow in pre-season, and will play for the 2nd XI as the club stick to the side which was due to face Burnley last week.

Pro Chris Simpson has been in outstanding form in pre-season, and manager Alick Ormerod said: "All the signs are good. He's 6ft 3ins and will get plenty of movement with the ball once the wickets harden up."

RAMSBOTTOM professional Murali Kartik is attending a special reception for the victorious Indian squad which keeps him out of this weekend's Lancashire League double header.

Chairman Mike Everett said: "He has to fly 600 miles to Delhi and will probably just shake hands with the Prime Minister. He didn't play but it's a massive occasion over there so there's nothing we can do about it."

Sri Lankan Sajit Fernando will be borrowed from Middleton as a sub pro for tomorrow's game at Accrington.

ACCRINGTON are hoping their psychological advantage keeps them at the top of the Lancashire League for as long as possible.

The Thorneyholme Road side, who have Graeme Sneddon back, took top spot thanks to last week's win over Colne - the only game completed after rain stopped play elsewhere.

Captain Matt Wilson said: "If we keep winning we stay top because we've got a game in hand on the rest."

HASLINGDEN are itching to get new Aussie Andrew McDonald into action when they host Burnley tomorrow.

Cricket chairman Stuart Taylor said: "It will be a big test, Burnley beat us early on last year.

"The pro just wants to get going now, as do the rest of the lads, and we're looking forward to the challenge."

BURNLEY have no selections ahead of the game, so West Indian professional Kerry Jeremy is set to make his debut.

LOWERHOUSE are expecting professional Peter Fulton to make a big impact on his Lancashire League debut against Church.

The New Zealander heads a full-strength side for the clash at Liverpool Road, and secretary Stan Heaton said: "Peter has looked absolute class in the nets, so it will be good to see how that transfers on the pitch. He comes with a great pedigree."

Chris Benbow, Vishal Tripathi and Saeed Riaz are also set for debuts.

Following last week's wash-out CHURCH will launch their campaign at Lowerhouse tomorrow expecting to name the same side that was due to take on Nelson last week.

Defending champions EAST LANCS face an early test of their mettle at Nelson, who finished third in last season's title race.

South African off-spinner Rob McQueen has been drafted in as substitute professional in the absence of Quinton Friend and Sadiq Patel, a promising medium-pacer, will take the place of veteran bastman David Pearson.

"It's a big weekend for us because we're playing the sides who finished second and third last season," said Paul Kelly.

NELSON name an unchanged side in what should be the clash of the day. Joe Scuderi will play as an amateur, while Cameron Cuffy makes his Lancashire League debut.