LANCASHIRE League champions East Lancs will be looking for a new professional for the summer after Northamptonshire signed South African all-rounder Johann Louw.

Louw, professional at Alexandra Meadows last season, has been snapped up by Nothants as their replacement overseas player for fast bowler Andre Nel, who has been ruled out for the coming season through international commitments.

The 24-year-old middle-order batsman and seamer, born in Cape Town, plays for Eastern Province - the side coached by Northamptonshire's first team manager Kepler Wessels.

Louw made his first-class debut for Griqualand West in 2000-01 but moved provinces for the current season and scored his maiden first-class century for Eastern Province against Boland last October.

"Johann comes highly recommended by Kepler, who described him as 'pretty sharp' with the ball," said cricket chairman John Scopes.

"Obviously losing Andre Nel is a disappointment but we think we have a fine cricketer to replace him, and everyone is looking forward to meeting Johann."

However, East Lancs hit a winning note off the field in 2003, as they announced booming profits in their annual report.

Although the figure of £66,061 is somewhat misleading as it includes £57,058 for the sale of Crossfields Tennis Club land, the remainder of their financial gain for the year is still giving the club cause to celebrate.

The profit of over £9,000 represents an increase in crowds, bar takings and revenue from other social events at the Alexandra Meadows.

Vice chairman Ian Haworth said: "It was a magnificent year and it's the first time we've had money to spend on improvements.

"We're going forward but splashing out. It's not fair on squash and bowls members if we spend all our money on cricket so we'll continue to look for up and coming players."

East Lancs were even able to afford a full time groundsman, Keith Grogan, last year, while stewardess Janet Clarke, who took over in March, played a significant part in turning business round.

A team of executive officers ran the bar during the four months prior to her appointment, meaning wages were saved and ploughed into appointing Grogan.

Haworth added: "We had a fantastic batting track so there was more entertainment, more fans and bigger bar takings.

"Everything came together and all the cup games were at home, including the Worsley Cup final. We also made a lot of money from functions, the stewardess did a magnificent job."

Another Lancashire League Club hailing a massive turnaround in fortunes are ENFIELD.

Following a previous year's loss of £2,745, they made a profit of £10,682 in 2003.

The cricket club itself made £1,103 compared with the 2002 loss of £1,278 but donations from the social club, bar takings and the tea room profits all soared during the year.

Enfield's annual report wasn't as upbeat when referring to on-field matters in 2003, when a constant stream of sub pros following Martin Van Jaarsveld's selection for South Africa, disrupted their form.

But with Van Jaarsveld off to Northamptonshire, the Dill Hall Lane club are optimistic about another South African, Alviro Petersen, the new pro for the 2004 campaign.

Petersen is a former team-mate of Van Jaarsveld from their days at Northern Titans, where he opened the batting. The 23-year-old also bowls right arm medium pace and played a season in England for Millom in the North Lancs and Cumbria Premier Division, when he hit 690 runs.

Ribblesdale League champions READ are boasting a highest ever profit of £6,833 to match their record-breaking season on the field.

Five of their six sides from under 11s to seniors won silverware, including championships for the firsts, thirds and under 15s. Durham all-rounder Danny Law has been signed as the pro for 2004 to replace Peter Sleep, who is staying on as an amateur.