LOWERHOUSE begin their defence of the LCB Knockout Cup this weekend, but not in the way they had hoped.

The Liverpool Road side shared the trophy with Liverpool and District Cricket League side Ormskirk, after rain affected two attempts at last year’s final.

The teams were able to get underway at Emirates Old Trafford on September 3, but the rain came and they were unable to get back on.

The final was re-scheduled for the following weekend at Blackpool Cricket Club but was called off the day before because of the weather.

Lowerhouse are hoping for a second chance to play at Old Trafford by going all the way again this season, with progress to the second round made easier by first round opponents Great Eccleston withdrawing.

But captain Ben Heap says it is not a situation they wanted.

“We received an email from one of their officials last week saying they were struggling to get a team out, which is a bit frustrating. I was looking forward to the game and looking forward to the first round as joint champions,” said Heap.

“I know some of the committee members and club officials are frustrated too because we had organised coaches to go over for the day and they have had to be cancelled.

“Also, while we don’t rest players for the competition, we like to give some of the younger lads an opportunity which maybe they haven’t had so far.”

But at the same time, Heap was sympathetic to Great Eccleston’s predicament.

“I know from the outside looking in I suppose everything looks rosy and we always have a strong team out, but I do know the toll that four or five competitions can take on family life,” he said.

“Sometimes it’s just that one competition too much if the fundamentals aren’t in place to have a big squad.

“They played an inter-competition last Sunday at Read so it’s a strange one, but it has happened and we have to get on with it.”

Lowerhouse will automatically go into the last 32, where they will face either Bradshaw or Lancashire League newcomers Rochdale.

And Heap insists it is a competition they want to do well in again.

“We want to try to defend our position, play in the final at Old Trafford and win it outright,” he continued.

“There is every incentive to get there again.

“We had a little taste of it last time, so hopefully whoever plays in the final gets better weather, and hopefully it’s us. We’ll be giving it a good go.

“It’s a nice competition once you get into it, playing at different grounds and meeting different people.

“With the strength of the Lancashire League when you get to the quarter finals and semis you tend to be playing teams from your league so it gets interesting.

“We played Clitheroe in the quarter finals last year and Burnley in the semis, which was a big game to be a part of.”