Captain's Log wth Rawtenstall CC skipper Keith Roscoe

WELL season 2000, the new millennium, new professionals -- nine Aussies, two South Africans, a Zimbabwean, a West Indian, a New Zealander that rarest of breeds an Englishman -- a new sponsor Transco, and new teams fighting it out at the top of the league, namely Church and Colne.

Who'd have thought it?

Having played both sides recently (and lost), not me!

Both seem equally matched in all departments. But the real surprise for me was the bowling of one Gary Hunt of Colne who seems to improve with age.

It was not too many seasons ago when one of his own team-mates said of Gary's bowling: "He couldn't turn it on a corrugated iron roof." Whereupon Gary invited his "friend" to carry on this conversation outside.

Another reason for Colne's early success is that of pro Ben Johnson, who I did not initially recognise as he strode to the wicket sporting a beard.

All that was missing was the glasses and the big nose (well on second thoughts just the glasses).

In Ben, Colne have a class performer with the bat and a steady medium pace bowler.

As for Church what can you say about Mike Watkinson?

He has done everything in the game and is transforming his side into real championship contenders. He's being assisted by some experienced campaigners -- the oldest teenager in town, Nick Westwell, Phil 'Psycho' Sykes and that fulsome all-rounder and captain Mark Aspin.

Over the last weekend we have had our own version of celebrity call.

On Saturday we had a very enlightening day with Victoria and Australia opening batter Matt Elliott (clang, big name drop), then on Sunday we had a little libation with Colin "Driller, Killer, Swiller," Miller (clang), Jason "Dizzy" Gillespie (clang) and ex-Rocky pro Ian "Louis" Hewitt (clunk -- not such a big name drop).

Dizzy also gave our two opening batsmen a bit of advice on how to play him at Rawtenstall.

He told them to "book their holidays for that weekend and make sure they are abroad."

Good advice.

We also asked Colin Driller Killer Swiller Miller how close he came to signing for Nelson

"It's like this Kes, I won a round the world three-month, all expenses paid holiday," said Colin.

"I had the chance to see sights in Nepal, India, Africa, South America etc.

"Against playing at Bacup, Rawtenstall, Lowerhouse, Church etc how close do you think it was?"

Touch and go I'd have thought!