Cricket: Willott hopes to complete fairytale season

LEEK skipper Greg Willott admits being crowned champions was a distant dream for his players at the start of the season.

The Staffordshire paceman says emulating last year's runners-up finish would have been a tough enough achievement, let alone going one better.

But when they take to the field at Little Stoke tomorrow, just four points separate Willott's men from a first Premier Division title since 2001.

Their achievement is even more impressive after they lost the services of former Derbyshire seamer Steffan Jones in the early stages of the campaign because of work commitments.

And Willott feared his absence would prevent Leek from achieving their primary objective.

"We didn't believe we would be in this position at the start of the season," said the 32-year-old.

"We thought we'd be challenging to be in the top four, but that was when we had Steffan in the side.

"Everyone hoped to be there or thereabouts, although winning it was going to be tough when you consider the strength of sides like Longton, Knypersley, Wood Lane and Porthill Park.

"Losing Steffan was a big shock, but credit to the lads because everyone has played their part throughout the season."

The title race looked set to provide last-day drama, but Knypersley's defeat to Burslem last weekend, left Leek on the brink of glory.

They are 22 points clear of Longton – the only side who can still catch them – although Willott insists his side won't change their approach.

But he says being champions-elect was beginning to tell on some of his players as the season headed into the final furlong.

"The pressure was starting to get to some of the younger lads, you could sense it," said Willott.

"We had to take the title out of their minds and make sure they focused on each game and the type of performances that have put us in this situation.

"We just have to carry on what we're doing. Hopefully we can get the four points we need and enjoy the afternoon, but we want to win the match.

"It would be a big thing for Leek to win the title. We should get over the line and, if we do, there will plenty of proud people within the club."

Little Stoke have had contrasting fortunes this season, although their relegation fate appears to have been sealed after they were caught up in the ineligible player row.

Former Pakistan batsman Hassan Raza is believed to have played in another league on a Sunday, which is set to trigger a 126-point deduction.

That would leave them bottom of the table and plying their trade in Division One next season.

"It has not been confirmed yet, but we're expecting the points deduction," said skipper Gareth Morris.

"It is disappointing for us because we've worked incredibly hard to get out of the relegation zone, albeit helped by Cheadle losing points as well.

"We were handed a lifeline and now we've ruined it. But we put ourselves in a position we shouldn't have been in.

"There have been too many games where we've not put scores on the board this year, although the bowlers have performed well.

"I suppose we can't have too many complaints. Without Cheadle being punished we'd probably have been looking at relegation anyway."

Morris, though, says his side will come out fighting when the table-toppers come calling tomorrow.

"We'll still be trying our hardest on Saturday and are not going to let Leek walk all over us," he added.

"But they deserve to be where they are, they've played well all summer."