WITH Leigh's Under 11's season curtain raiser against Westleigh being rained off last Thursday, the junior section hope to have better luck with the weather this week.

Three of the four Green and Gold junior sides play their initial matches of the year, as the 13's host Norley Hall at Beech Walk on Tuesday, Phil Edwards' under 15's travel to Hindley on Wednesday and the 11s try again to get their season underway, this time at home to local rivals Newton le Willows.

Again much is anticipated from the young cricketers of Leigh this season and following the successes of the last two years, confidence is high.

The Under 11s have won the league for the last two seasons and whilst a number of the longer standing players have moved up an age group, a good mix of experience and talent remains.

This age group have already had some success this year, having won the Wigan & District indoor six-a-side competition during the close season, and are led by ten year old Matthew Schleiner, a left-handed opening bat/wicketkeeper.

The bowling probably holds the key at this level with Chris Aspinall and Robbie Millward likely to lead the 'pace' attack, backed up by the exciting leg spin/googly and left arm chinaman combination of Mattie McKiernan and Wiganner Andrew Layland.

Manager John Gregory has moved up an age group to take charge of the under 13's. He brings with him a number of the previous years successful elevens and wicket keeper Matthew Hibbert, all rounder Kieran Grundy, and medium pacer Adil Saeed are all expected to successfully step up the level.

Ross Shepherd has already spent one year at this level, and is also a regular for the Under 15s, and is expected to provide the fire power when opening the bowling attack. All rounder Zeshan Ahmed will also be back at Beech Walk, having missed the latter end of 2002, and will make an impact with both bat and ball.

Perhaps the hardest act to follow will be at the under fifteens age group, who last year boasted four Lancashire youngsters in their ranks. Whilst rain and a number of unplayed fixtures contributed to their third place in the league, they ended up Cup winners.

Only one of the club's County representatives at this age group remain and overall the side will have an inexperienced, young look about it. However if fourteen year Alex Roussak continues to fulfil his potential as a leg spin bowler/batsman and ex-Glazebury player, Andy Potter, is able to lead the bowling attack and contribute with the bat, they could still spring a surprise or two.

Michael Waywell, Tim Edwards and Andy Thomason will all hope to do well with bat and ball having stepped up from the 13's and Will Banner's experience with the at this age group last year and a number of games in the senior 4th XI will be valuable.

At the oldest junior level, the Under 17's, Keith Thomason has taken over the reins and the success, or otherwise, of the year will probably depend upon the availability of players due to examination requirements. With the quality of player available otherwise, it is difficult to see anyone causing the Beech Walkers many problems.

In theory, he should be able to call on 1st XI and Lancashire representative players, Steven Mullaney and Greg Jennings, a 2nd XI opening bowler, all rounder and wicket keeper, as well as support from 3rd and 4th XI regulars Matthew Woodward, Adam Roussak and slow left armer, Chris Waywell.

Led by Patrick Travers, 16, who has already this season established himself as an important 2nd XI all rounding regular, it will possibly be outside influences that deprive the under 17's of a third consecutive league title.

Overall it promises to be another eventful year for the junior section.