CRICKET ROUND-UP: BACK in The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League after a four-year absence, Marple will be captained by James Crisall, once of Grappenhall, in the forthcoming 2008 campaign.
Meanwhile, old friends Mike Booth and Keith McGuffie will lead the second and third teams respectively.
David Parr takes over the chairmanship from Chris Bailey, while ‘The Bear’ - Mike Hibbert - will continue to look after the fine ground at Bowden Lane.
Gary Cash and Andy Greasley expect to continue to wreak havoc on the league’s bowlers and batsmen respectively.
At Cheadle Hulme, Mike Stewart has been installed as chairman, taking over from Garry Hambleton after a stressful period at Grove Park.
Ewan McCray will continue to lead on the field.
Simon Hall is the new captain at Cheadle, with Jonny Reeh stepping down to become vice-captain.
Peter Reeh will lead the second XI and Andy Plant the thirds, while Tony Brady assumes the secretarial reins from Dave Baron.
A fearsome fast bowler in his youth, Nick Atherton has opted for an admin role by taking on the secretaryship at Bramhall.
Cheshire skipper Andrew Hall has not allowed relegation from the Cheshire County League Premiership to deter him from continuing as first XI captain.
Meanwhile, Heaton Mersey groundsman Nick James has a set of covers for sale. For further information contact him on cag.org.uk
The club have received a grant through the Awards for All scheme and have purchased new covers and a bowling machine.
Mersey are hoping to recall their successful overseas player Brent McDonald for a second season.
THE Cheshire Cup in 2008 will feature 57 clubs, three down on 2007, with the newcomers being Alderley Park, Brooklands, Cheadle, Chester County Officers, Hollingsworth, Lindow and Stockport.
Draw for the first round on Sunday, May 4: Brooklands v Winnington Park; Sale v Caldy; Old Parks v Grappenhall; Ashton on Mersey v Chelford; Malpas v Stockport; Middlewich v Congleton; Birkenhead St. Mary's v Davenham; Hale Barns v Parkfield Liscard.
Second round (Sunday, May 18): Warrington v Oxton; Marple v Burnage; Birkenhead Park v Malpas or Stockport; Rode Park v Old Parks or Grappenhall; Lindow v Lymm; Compstall v Ashton on Mersey or Chelford; Alsager v Cheadle; Bramhall v Hawk Green; Alderley Park v Birkenhead St. Mary's or Davenham; Hollingsworth v Bredbury; Hale Barns or Parkfield v Poynton; Brooklands or Winnington v Upton; Northwich v Cheadle Hulme; Sale or Caldy v Middlewich or Congleton; Chester County Officers v Bollington; Romiley v Didsbury; Irby v Crewe; Elworth v Timperley.
Premier league clubs from the CCL, North Staffs and Liverpool Competition are given byes through the first two rounds.
The final is on Sunday, August 31.
