What a difference a fortnight's sun makes! Plenty of Cricket, games and practices, lots of runs and wickets and even sunburnt bald slapheads.

Junior cricket at Nelson has seen victories across all age groups and, more importantly, has seen several half centuries scored firstly by a talented 13-year-old (Tom Lord) for my Third Eleven, followed by Raza Ali in an under 15 fixture at Rawtenstall and culminating in two under 17s (David Crotty and Chris Heap) scoring 50 apiece against Rishton.

Rishton are not the only Lancashire League side to disappoint me this season with their junior set up, even with Paul Adams, the South African international, being involved. Bacup appear to be struggling to attract younger players and, as for East Lancs turning up one hour late for a junior fixture says it all about their organisation.

My Third Eleven have suffered two defeats recently, one at the hands of a Burnley side skippered by a first-teamer who scored 100 (the point is)? and yesterday at Colne in a very exciting game played in the true spirit of Third Eleven cricket.

Nelson are blessed at the moment with having many talented juniors, which raises interesting questions.

Why do we never get any response from Lancashire CC when we nominate players for trials?

What do the Lancashire Cricket Development managers do for their money and why are they never seen watching talented individuals at junior games in our part of East Lancashire ? It is good to see Barrowford's continuing pursuit of a league and cup double.

On Sunday they clinched a cup semi-final spot at the expense of a Haworth side who sulked all afternoon and only paid for one tea!

The George and Dragon pub in Barrowford provide the teas and they are slowly beginning to understand how important a cricket tea is, with sausage rolls and fairy cakes aplenty.

Keep it up lads!