Last updated 11:39, Wednesday, 07 May 2008

CUMBRIA captain Cliff Heath is hoping to silence his Lancashire counterpart when the new Northern Counties League season starts on Saturday.

Tribute: Cliff Heath

New Lancashire captain Bill Bromilow has talked up his team’s chances of landing the title but Heath is determined to inspire an opening day victory when Cumbria face the Red Rose county at Seascale.

Heath said: “The Lancashire captain has been talking up his own team’s chances and hinting that we are going to be easy meat, but that won’t be the case.

“We’ve got to win every match and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t start with a victory.

“We’ve been to Seascale to practise and we couldn’t do much more to prepare, plus we start the season with two home games so we need to set ourselves up with a good start.

“Our expectations are high as we have a very strong team and they have had a good winter or preparation.”

Cumbria will be without star recruit Gary Wolstenholme for the opening match as he is representing England in an international against France, but they will hand a debut to Kirkby Lonsdale course record holder Mike Turner.

Turner, a former professional who has regained amateur status, will replace Penrith’s James Housby, who has just embarked on a career in the paid ranks.

Heath has reshuffled his foursomes pairings with Brampton club-mates Geoff Nixon and Grant Little being pitched together, and Carlisle pair Martin Hand and Nicky Bell linking up. Heath said: “I’ve tried to keep the same team that defeated Yorkshire in the last match last season. There’s a lot of sense in that and I’m sure Sir Alex Ferguson would do the same.

“The only change is with Mike Turner replacing James Housby.

“The foursomes will be reshuffled because it makes sense for Geoff and Grant to play together, which releases Martin and Nicky to play together.

“Martin is the most improved golfer in the county and he deserves to be higher up the order.”

Cumbria: Will Bowe (Workington), John Longcake (Silloth on Solway), Simon Young (Workington), Nicky Bell (Carlisle), Craig Morrow (Ulverston), Martin Hand (Carlisle), Geoff Nixon (Brampton), James Atkinson (Kendal), Mark Cowen (Workington), Grant Little (Brampton), Mike Turner (Kirkby Lonsdale) and Andrew Millray (Windermere).