Mee glee at final fling for league

1:00pm Wednesday 11th July 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Matt Donlan, Sports reporter

PADIHAM star Steve Meehan is relishing the prospect of taking to the field again for the Houldsworth Solicitors Ribblesdale League representative team after helping them into the final on the Kookaburra Reader Inter-League competition.

Meehan and company booked their clash with the Bolton League thanks to a 28-run win over the North Lancashire and Cumbria League at Furness CC on Sunday.

And veteran Meehan played his part with a four-wicket haul to help the league team into the showdown – and says the success is even more special as this season has marked his representative debut.

“It’s great,” he said. “We are all really excited about the final and to beat a side who have won the competition before is an achievement.

“The league team has a good atmosphere in it, all the lads in the team get on well and we can hopefully go on and win the trophy.

“For me it is extra special as well as this year is my first time in the league team so to win through to the final is as good as it gets.”

John Rain top scored with 45 and received good support from Joe Marshall (39) and Ben Dowling (31) as the Ribblesdale League posted 210-9 before Meehan helped himself to four wickets with the North Lancs and Cumbria League bowled out for 182.

News of the result spread around Europe as well with umpire and league stalwart taking a keen interest despite being on holiday.

“Trelly was on the phone all day to John Bushell,” added Meehan. “He said he was taking more interest in the cricket than the beach – so I think he will enjoy the final.

“We’ll get a bus together and go to Bolton and have a good day -and hopefully come back with the trophy.”

The Ribblesdale League will now travel to meet the Bolton League on Sunday, August 12.

Comments(16)

FBD says...
8:27am Thu 12 Jul 12

Nothing to do with the above article but anyone available to spread some light on the events of Monday night? By all accounts the league restructure is in the bin. I'm guessing the majority will be happy with this. What now though for end of season. Are division 1 teams that finish in the bottom two now going to be relegated? Or has moving the goal posts (or wickets) given them a stay of execution? If so what then happens to the teams that top Div2?

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FBD says...
9:56am Thu 12 Jul 12

Obviously meant shed some light...shouldn't post while making toast

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red rose says...
12:27pm Thu 12 Jul 12

word has it the personal ego tripper was backed into a corner and had to relent his stupid idea, from what is rumoured an e g m will be held ,looking at 16 teams ,14 + two new clubs in senior league now, and after that its up to the clubs to speak up and say what THEY want, not send reps who sit in silence and then things get all twisted and out of sync, hence the shambles that could have been .

lets hope the clubs do speak up and put over their wishes instead of letting the dictatorship ride rough shod and bring in the circus that could have been next season.

lets hope its seen as a warning what could happen when clubs dont voice their true thoughts,as has happened for too long, ets se whats happens, thought the league would have issued a statement but probably to embarrassed

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FBD says...
1:11pm Thu 12 Jul 12

League are probably hoping it all goes unnoticed. I agree it is time for the clubs to speak up about how the league is run.

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APTurner says...
2:01pm Thu 12 Jul 12

The meeting Monday was thankfully very progressive and positive. The management of the league deserve some credit for listening to the clubs and realising potential terminal mistakes were being made. I'm sure all clubs will be informing players shortly that the proposed new two tier league set up for 2013 is about to be scrapped. The new 2013 blueprint is being disucssed and developed together by the clubs with the managements assistance. In my opinion a potential disaster has been averted and now starts the potential for the Ribb league to kick on to provide a more structured progression for clubs who want to play senior cricket whilst improving all divisions standards with the challenges that relegation and promotion battles bring. Result will be more competitive meaningfull games all season long. It will take 2 or 3 seasons to equalise all the leagues in terms of numbers of teams and games per year but it will be worth it. Andy Turner

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Pinch Hitter says...
3:33pm Thu 12 Jul 12

Will be interesting what the ‘we play too much cricket’ brigade make of that.

One of arguments put forward for restructure was to reduce number of games and now they have ended up with more for a couple of seasons.

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APTurner says...
4:06pm Thu 12 Jul 12

On a separate note it was refreshing to hear the ideas and clear to see enthusiasm of Euxton and Brooksbottom lads. They going to be a good addition to the league with their forward thinking and desire to succeed at 1st and 2nd team levels.

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thisisme2011 says...
1:11am Fri 13 Jul 12

And back to the main point......MASSIVE WELL DONE TO THE TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! May the force be with you!

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belly says...
8:06am Fri 13 Jul 12

FBD wrote:
League are probably hoping it all goes unnoticed. I agree it is time for the clubs to speak up about how the league is run.
I don't understand your post FBD.
It is up to the clubs to propose, discuss, vote and decide on the structure.

The clubs make the rules.

I think that the league reps have a very important job to do in coming months, accurate information from the forthcoming restructure meetings must be relayed to club committees.

I think bad communication is one reason why we are in this current situation.

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Cornwall 21 says...
9:31am Fri 13 Jul 12

Well said belly, all this school yard behavior has to stop. the important thing is and always has been the League, all this name calling has to stop and lets have uniformity.
Most of the problems have been caused by poor communication.

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EarbyAsh says...
10:57am Fri 13 Jul 12

I attended the meeting and it was a very positive feel, people accepted that a mistake had been made in the original structure, that we had to right that wrong or harm could be done to the league and the discussions now are back on the table and being discussed in a sensible way. A big pat on the back for the Exec who handled the matter well, and the delegates from the clubs who have now had 'proper' feed back from Committees and players alike. Lets move on and make the league stronger and more competitive.

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FBD says...
11:31am Fri 13 Jul 12

Exciting times ahead

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P.Spen says...
11:37am Fri 13 Jul 12

i'm pleased to hear the correct outcome has been reached ! i think the teams need as many games as possible per season as bar takings make up for most of the clubs revenue. i also feel the fixtures need to be sorted out,playing alternative games home/away and the local derbys mid season to maximise the chances of decent weather and spectators !

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P.Spen says...
11:37am Fri 13 Jul 12

i'm pleased to hear the correct outcome has been reached ! i think the teams need as many games as possible per season as bar takings make up for most of the clubs revenue. i also feel the fixtures need to be sorted out,playing alternative games home/away and the local derbys mid season to maximise the chances of decent weather and spectators !

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Cornwall 21 says...
11:48am Fri 13 Jul 12

The fixtures are a headache because of the different number of clubs in each Division so I would never promise the ideal situation that P. Spen suggests, that is the way we always start but other factors always rule the way we finish up
I know there will be many suggestions believe me most ways have been tried but we will try again next season but don't hold your breath

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red rose says...
12:52pm Sat 14 Jul 12

don't think the league sec should be voicing his opinion on here surely he should do it by way of a league statement, but maybe his peer forbids that in view of the embarrassing situation they now find themselves in, good source informs me that other leagues have made noises to lcb but mr hayhurst has failed to act upon the truth and covered things up on behalf of certain people, now comes the time for league reps speak up and let the clubs,as they should,run the league, dont sit and suffer in silence and regret the outcome when its to late,as regards fixtures the first teams come first and plan the rest around that not the other way round

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