The New Year kicked off last week with the second round of the Warburton Cup for the remaining teams in all divisions although still split for the time being into two sections.

In the top section Ramsbottom B had a walk over against Ladybridge A and will now be at home to Hilton C who also had a walk over against Wingates. Farnworth SC A just pipped Little Lever B who despite their start of 44.5 were just pipped to the post 346 – 345.5. They will now be at home to BRASS B who made use of their 121.5 start to overcome their own A team 439.5 – 348. Radcliffe Cricket Club played Coburg B who had a start of 121.5. Unfortunately for them, this was not enough to prevent Radcliffe from winning out 393 – 354.5. They will now be away to Nomads B who also made use of the small 37.5 start to run out winners against Burning Desire with a close 378.5 – 348. Hilton F had a start of 142.5 against Coburg A, however Coburg A proved too strong winning out 395 – 374.5. They will now be away to the winners of Heaton B or Meadow Ben A

In the lower section Farnworth SC C had a 30.5 start against Hilton G and ran out winners 385.5 – 304. They will now be at home to Bolton TTC B who with a start of 21.5 won against Ladybridge B 389.5 – 310. Meadow Ben C proved to be too strong for their D team. They overcame the D team’s 86.5 start to win out 391 – 333.5. The C team will now be at home to either Farnworth SC B or Polonia Club who apparently due to a mutual bank holiday fiasco will have to get a match played somehow before the next round or both teams will lose out and a bye will be awarded to Meadow Ben. Ladybridge C made full use of their 58.5 start to run out winners against Hilton H 357.5 – 341. They will now be away to Irlam Steel who also made good use of their 177.5 start to overcome Bolton TTC A 413.5 – 379. Heaton C had another handicap assisted win who with a start of 58.5 overcame Hilton E 370.5 – 351. They will now be away to St. Paul’s Peel who ran out winners against juniors Hilton I who with a 79.5 start lost out 386 – 316.5.

There would appear to be roughly an equal number of cases where the higher team won and lost which must say something in favour of the handicap system. The next round will now be played week commencing January 18th alongside the Divisional Cup competitions.