RUNCORN CC are hitting back this summer after a winter of discontent, writes ROBERT HOUGH.
During the off-season, first-team opening batsman Andy Booth joined local rivals Alvanley; covers at the ground were rendered useless by vandals and the club was facing another season fighting to retain its place in the Meller Braggins Cheshire League Division One.
Now, however, Runcorn's fortunes look far more rosy. The Moughland Lane side lie just adrift of the top positions in the league and could all but secure their Division One status before the turnaround.
And there is still an outside chance of promotion to the Murray Smith Cheshire County League.
Saturday's game at Lymm OP was rained off, but skipper Jamie Hill said: 'We have had a really good start and it's a fantastic effort from all the lads because we have been limited in terms of our squad.
'I suppose you could say I've been pleasantly surprised.
'The older players like Steve Foster and Tony White, who have seen it all before, have been outstanding and have given us the edge in some of the closer games. They have also helped the kids we have had to draft in to come to terms with playing regular first-team cricket.
'The likes of Jack Weston and Steven Sheakey, who are both only 18, have come in and at times played with the kind of maturity and commitment that goes to prove how good they can actually be.
'Mark Cahill has been inspirational as vice-captain and Steve Ollerenshaw nothing short of phenomenal with bat and ball.
'If we'd had a bit of luck in one or two close matches we lost, we could be top of the league. But we just want to make sure we get enough points to know we are safe and then take things from there.'
