THE Cricket season may seem light years away after this week's freezing weather but four local clubs have been busy announcing their professional for the 1998 campaign. Central Lancashire League RADCLIFFE have snapped up former Ramsbottom ace Steve Dearden as their paid man for the summer.

The 29-year-old all-rounder began at local side Walshaw as a junior and rose through the ranks before turning professional for a season at Lancashire and Cheshire League Stalybridge.

He returned to Walshaw for a year before joining Lancashire League Ramsbottom where he was the leading amateur for eight years.

Meanwhile Bolton League GREENMOUNT have gone for a South African pro for the first time in the club's history.

The vastly experienced Craig Norris was a well-known face in the Lancashire League playing for Colne and Ramsbottom during the 1980s.

Something of an all-round sportsman Norris is a one-handicap golfer, has representative soccer and rugby honours and even had gridiron trials for the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams.

The 34-year-old former Transvaal star has been professional at Saddleworth in the Saddleworth League for the past two seasons.

In the Manchester Association BURY have announced that New Zealander Owen Steverson has accepted the their invitation to continue as the professional for another year.

Steverson completed a very successful season for the club last summer when he scored almost1000 runs in all cricket.

His influence, both on the field and in a coaching capacity, can be measured by the fact that 1997 was the most successful in the club's history. Indoor nets for the Sports Club side commence on Thursday February 5, 7.45pm start at Holy Cross College and new players in particular will be welcome.

Interested players are requested to 'phone Mike Bailey on 0161 280 5948 (seniors) and Les Horton on 0161 796 7591 (juniors).

The club's first fund raising event of the year takes place at the clubhouse in the form of a Sports Quiz on Friday February 13.

Entry fee for a team of four is £5, and anyone interested is requested to contact Mike Bailey on the above number, or just turn up on the night.

Bolton Association outfit ELTON begin their indoor nets sessions on Sunday, running through until April 5.

These will take place at Castlebrook High School from 6.30pm until 9.30pm. The first four of the 11 sessions will be run for juniors only at the following times - under 11s, 6.30pm-7.30pm; under 13s, 7.30pm-8.30pm; under 15s&18s, 8.30pm-9.30pm. Costs are £1 for juniors and £2 for seniors.

The sessions will be attended by the club's new Australian professional Greg Dimery.

He has been snapped up following three successful seasons as professional at Leigh Cricket Club, having previously been the overseas star at Little Lever.

Dimery, a prolific scorer of runs and opening bat regards himself as 'a spin bowler who bowls quickly.'

The Leigh Lane side have also been successful in retaining the services of talented junior cricket coach Graham Bushell.

Meanwhile, the club's bowling green is now up and running and new members are welcome.

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