PETER Sleep plays for Accrington against Werneth tomorrow as the EW Cartons Lancashire League embarks on an exciting new chapter - described by the former Australian Test star as a "brilliant concept".
Fourteen Lancashire League clubs come up against rivals from the Central Lancashire League in the unique inter-league cup competition formulated during the winter.
And Sleep, standing in for Accrington's absent professional Nathan Astle, reckons the two leagues will be fairly evenly matched with a host of close contests in store.
As a man who has played regularly in both leagues, he should know better than most about the standards and also the fact that there will be a lot of pride at stake in the bid to prove just who is the best.
"I think the concept is brilliant," he said. "There's long been an annual game between the two leagues and by taking it to club level it's going to sort the men from the boys.
"The Lancashire League clubs will be saying they have to beat them to prove they are the best and vice-versa.
"I think a lot of the clubs will be well matched.
"The first five batsmen in the Lancashire League are usually reasonably technically correct but at CLL clubs they tend to bat a bit lower down. You find that numbers seven and eight are technically okay. "Standards have probably gone down in both leagues but the roles for professionals and amateurs are different.
"Amateurs in the CLL are, I believe, a fraction stronger but you get more big name professionals in the Lancashire League.
"I'm looking forward to what is a brilliant idea and I think it would even be worth considering bringing in the Northern League."
Accrington will have their work cut out tomorrow against Werneth, who are third at the moment in the CLL.
Just as tough a test, however, faces Rawtenstall and East Lancs.
Rawtenstall are at home to unbeaten Rochdale, whose Western Australian pro Robbie Baker has helped them to top place with six wins and a rain-affected draw.
And East Lancs must travel to second-placed Milnrow who have former Old Trafford star Dexter Fitton as professional.
There is a potential cracker at Littlebrough, the reigning CLL champions who host Enfield.
A big responsibility will rest on Shane Lee's shoulders as he comes up against rival pro Hamish Anthony, the West Indies pace ace. Lancashire League champs Rishton haven't made the best of starts but they have Russell Whalley back in the side now, following surgery, and will hope to progress tomorrow when they visit Oldham, who are struggling.
Pakistan's Sohail Jaffer is professional at Oldham, currently bottom of the table.
Ramsbottom expect to have Darren Shadford deputising again for another absent kiwi Chris Harris when they travel to Stockport.
There will be a lot of pride at stake, in both leagues, and that alone should ensure keen competition.
With 16 clubs in the CLL two of their members received byes and the rest were drawn - alternately home and away - to ensure clubs were pitted against opposition from the rival league.
That principle will continue, as far as possible in future rounds.
Oldham v Rishton
Accrington v Werneth
Walsden v Bacup
Haslingden v Heywood
Milnrow v East Lancs
Burnley v Stand
Radcliffe v Todmorden
Lowerhouse v Unsworth
Littleborough v Enfield
Nelson v Norden
Royton v Church
Colne v Crompton
Stockport v Ramsbottom
Rawtenstall v Rochdale
Byes: Ashton and Middleton
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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