THE question is who will stop the mighty Brookhouse CC when the Byrom Supplies Blackburn and District Amateur Cricket League starts next month.

Twenty clubs will again compete for honours in two divisions of ten teams when the league begins on the weekend of May 4th and 5th.

Brookhouse will be looking to make it three in a row this year after comfortably winning the title in 2001. And they begin their defence of the title against Gujrat, a side that was unbeatable in the early nineties but has failed to re-discover that form over the past five years.

Newly promoted Blackburn Eagles who broke record after record last season will probably be the biggest challenge to Brookhouse.

Little Harwood who lost their way last season are in with a shout. They will be hoping to get off to a better start this time round after starting the season disastrously last year.

Without a doubt the league's most accomplished side, Sansrod could upset the odds. They have performed admirably in seasons gone by and will be tough opposition for any title challenger.

In the B Division a resurgent Mill Hill side could set the pace, with Hadria and Bull's Hea hot on their heels. New teams this season include Darwen's finest Noorjamal. They could well be a surprise package this season. Relegated Audley will want to return to top flight cricket as soon as can.

Clubs have had to pay increased pitch fees this year, but chairman Len Rigby is confident that promises of improved facilities at Pleasington and Blacksnape will be honoured by the Borough.

Several wickets at Pleasington in particular are in a very poor state of repair and are in urgent need of substantial work to bring then up to an acceptable standard.

It is hoped the outfields too will be subject to stricter maintenance with a programme of more frequent grass-cutting needed to encourage better stroke play. The opening fixtures will be as follows: Saturday May 4th - B Division - Harangham vs Audley, Feniscowles vs Noorjamal, Riley's Snooker Club vs Mill Hill, Bull's Head vs Emerald, Haidria vs Worth Avenue.

Sunday May 5th - A Division - Nabipur vs Little Harwood, NQ vs Western, Gujrat vs Brookhouse, Sansrod vs St James's Rd, Javaria vs Blackburn Eagles.

The league has a pool of seventeen umpires but this is quite not sufficient to guarantee two umpires per game, particularly on Saturdays. Anyone interested in becoming an Umpire should contact the league secretary.

If your team is playing in a league anywhere in the North West this summer give Asian Image Sport a call on 01254 298263 and get it featured.

Since 1998 we here at Asian Image Sport have predicted three out of the four championship winners. Here we go again: Champions: Little Harwood, 2 Sansrod, 3 Brookhouse, 4 St James's Rd, 5 Gujarat, 6 NQ, 7 Blackburn Eagles, 8 Nabipur, 9 Javaria,10 Western