BEN McAllister, the Mellor captain, is relishing the challenge of trying to guide his team to a successful defence of the Bath Eights crown they won last year.

 

England goalkeeper McAllister and his 10-man team take part in this year's competition at the Recreation Ground, this weekend (September 3-4), looking for their second piece of silverware in successive seasons.

 

The tournament, which has run since 1986, provides a perfect platform for North and South of England clubs to find their feet ahead of their respective domestic seasons.

 

Mellor have selected a young side for this year's tournament, a chance for McAllister to run the rule over his players ahead of the start of the Men's North of England League on September 24.

 

'It would be really nice to win it, but it's more important to me that we find some form ahead of the league season,' said McAllister, who is looking to be selected for the England team that will compete in the World Cup in Canada next year.

 

'There's a great spirit in Bath and it's also a good chance for me and the rest of the team to have a look at other teams, and see which players they have recruited over the summer.'

 

Heaton Mersey, Rochdale, Brooklands Hulmeians, three-times winners Wilmslow, Manchester Waconians, Stockport, Cheadle, Oldham and Werneth, and Timperley completes the line-up of North West teams who will be competing.

 

This year's competition is already fully booked and is a special occasion for the tournament, which celebrates it's 20th anniversary.

 

As well as a host of North teams, there will also be a line-up of Souths sides hungry for honours.

 

All six First Division sides will be playing, with representatives from the other two southern divisions present.

 

 

 

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