AFTER a long winter in which English cricket has faced calamity after calamity this weekend will see a number of the region's major clubs make a welcome return to action in the Love Lane Liverpool and District Competition.

In the Premier League, Rainhill will look to improve on their sixth place finish last season after recruting a number of experienced names during the winter.

Former Sefton Park skipper Richie Forsyth joins to open the batting alongside his former teammate Dan Kelly who unites with brother Peter Kelly in a strong looking bowling attack.

Newton-le-Willows are looking forward to their first season in the top tier since 2011 and skipper Chris Chambers can call on some emerging names as they look to establish themselves.

Lancashire Academy players Subhaan Mahmood and Ben Walkden should both bring runs to the parthy while highly-rated spinner Jack Morley has already represented the Red Rose in first class cricket. 

In Division One, Rainford will look to improve on last season's fourth place as they seek a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2018.

Skipper John Dotters has signed Jimmy Davies, Craig Woods and Liam Gaskell from neighbours St Helens Town while Paul Farrar comes in from Leigh and Chris Tonge from Liverpool.

Dropping into Division Two, St Helens Town are determined to regain their place in the second tier after a dispiriting relegation last season.

Plenty of new names have arrived at Ruskin Drive including batter Pat Whipps and left arm spinner Callum Hewitt from Haydock and Adam De Gray Birch and Chris Ayre from Prescot and Odyssey.

Sutton have welcomed back Craig Campbell from St Helens Town but it was an otherwise quiet winter for Joe Noctor's men who will hope to use last year's seventh place as a platform for greater things this season.