LEIGH CC's season comes to a conclusion on Sunday when they take on Wallasey at Beech Walk in the Liverpool Competition's showcase Littlewood's Gaming Trophy Final.
Although the Leigh team has not enjoyed the most consistent of seasons, and will finish the year in a comfortable mid table position, this is the perfect opportunity to finish 2003 on a high against the top class Wirral outfit.
The most recognisable face in the visitors side will be Paul Strang, the former Zimbabwean test player, who up until just five years ago was regularly mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Warne, Muralitharan and Saqlain Mushtaq as one of world's leading spin bowlers.
Opportunity
Now concentrating more on his batting, he still provides a wonderful opportunity for the Beech Walk youngsters to pit their wits against genuine world-class opposition.
Wallasey also have in their ranks a number of Cheshire Minor County players and have been consistently winning trophy's at the highest level for many years. It will also give one of this areas recent former cricketing heroes, Rob Turnbull, the chance to show that he can still produce the form that made him such a favourite at Golborne, Wigan and Spring View, as he is expected to open the visitors batting.
Not only will Leigh's young Lancashire, and now England, talent be on view, in the shape of keeper-batsman Gareth Cross, Steven Mullaney, who celebrated his England call up with consecutive 60's against the countries best under 18-year-olds last week, batsman Tim Rees, and all rounder Greg Jennings, it will also give the 'less-young' players like Chris Melia and Dave Potter another chance to show their wares on the big stage.
It will also provide Brendan Donkers and Heath Pedrola with the perfect opportunity for one last big game before they return Down Under for the winter.
Alongside the game will be some of the paraphernalia that is now limited-overs cricket and musical accompaniment, a la 20-Twenty cricket, will be heard to welcome batsmen to the crease, celebrate a boundary and generally provide a back drop to the whole event.
An outdoor bar and BBQ will be available and an evening disco is arranged in the clubhouse to complete, what should be, a great day's entertainment.
Finally, let us wish captain Dave Dove and all the lads all the best for the day and show them that everyone is right behind them as they represent the club and the town in this final showdown of the year.
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