STAND are leaving the Central Lancashire League to join the Lancashire County League next season.

The Whitefield club joined the CLL in 1993 but have struggled recently and are bottom of the table, having won their first match of the season only last week.

"It has been a tough decision," said Stand chairman Ken Holt. "We are a poor club financially and we just can't compete with the big clubs in the CLL. We can't afford to pay our professionals as much as other teams.

"Hopefully we can be more competitve in the Lancashire County League and get ourselves back on our feet."

Stand will replace Longsight in the LCL, but the move will scupper the CLL's plans to increase to 16 teams next season.

Monton and Weaste will join, but the CLL are unlikely to find a team to replace Stand in time.

Middleton, who lost by one run to Stand last weekend, have a chance of revenge tomorrow when they meet again.

GREENMOUNT and Westhoughton have joined Heaton and Farnworth in the Warburton Bolton League Hamer Cup semi-finals.

Ryan Senior, Greenmount's teenage spinner, had two men stumped as Kearsley fell for 127 after resuming at 70-6 in their chase for a 146 victory target.

Westhoughton, chasing Astley Bridge's 192-5, continued at 105-4 and won by four wickets. Alan Gaskell and Rick Barker each scored half-centuries. The semi-final draw will be made on Monday.

Leaders Westhoughton should keep their grip on top place tomorrow at struggling Little Lever. But they face a major test on Sunday when s Walkden continue their defence of the Lancashire KO title at The Tyldesleys.

SADDLEWORTH, winners of the Tanner Cup for the last two seasons, continue their hat-trick bid at Micklehurst on Sunday.

The game is one of three quarter-finals re-arranged after last weekend's wash out.

Stayley, champions in 2001, host Greenfield while Hollinwood take on Moorside. In a full league programme tomorrow, Bamford Fieldhouse looking to stay top against Austerlands.

Heyside, beaten in league and cup by Bamford last week lose further ground in the title race as they don't play until July 3.

LEADERS Oulton Park face a difficult Cheshire County League test at home to Oxton tomorrow as Stewart Eaton's team look extend their 23-point lead.

Park have had an impressive nine-game unbeaten run in the league.

Bowdon host Didsbury, who are fourth from bottom.

Hyde aim to put their agonising, one-wicket defeat to Oulton Park behind them as they travel to Alderley Edge.

Promoted Poynton meet high-flying Widnes, while Nantwich take on Macclesfield at Whitehouse Lane.

WITH Monton & Weaste sailing clear at the top of the Manchester Association, Stretford continue their push to finish best of the rest against Hindley St Peter's tomorrow.

Mike Bishop's men have found more consistency this season.

South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton Marais came back to form with a superb 121 in last week's thrashing of Winton and with home advantage against Hindley St Peter's. they should be able to get maximum points to stay clear of Swinton Moorside and Bolton.

Monton - yet to lose in any competition - should have little trouble seeing struggling Bury at Welbeck Road, particularly if Aussie paceman Dave Tueon maintains the form he showed last week when taking five wickets and making an unbeaten 69 in the victory over Winton.

DENTON West try to salvage their season by booking a place in the Walkden Cup semis on Sunday.

The league champions travel to Dukinfield in their rescheduled quarter-final, on the back of their worst run in recent memory.

Dukinfield, second in the league andin a rich vein of form.

Denton St are at home to Longsight, while Denton are away to Cheetham Hill in the other two rescheduled quarter-finals.

Prestwich entertain Woodbank in the league tomorrow.

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