Skipper Gill set to lead the PCL charge

Photo: Tim Bradley

LEADING THE WAY: Greenfield skipper Chris Gill

GREENFIELD captain Chris Gill leads the Pennine Cricket League's representative team in Sunday's Readers Inter-League tie against The Liverpool Competition at Crompton's Glebe Street ground (start 1pm).

Wicketkeeper-batsman Gill is one of three Ladhill Lane players in the XI, with Alex Peters and Brad Woolley also featuring.

All-rounder Simon Wright and seamer Adam Good, from the host club, are also included in the line-up. They will boast vital home-ground knowledge.

Ryan Carruthers is the sole representative from Royton. The batsman is riding high on confidence after a sparkling century steered his club side to a shock JW Lees Bitter Wood Cup success over holders Walsden last weekend.

Pennine Cricket League representative XI (v Liverpool Competition): C Gill (capt, wkt), A Peters, B Woolley (all Greenfield), A Good, Si Wright (Crompton), J Sandham, J Lenihan (Monton and Weaste), B Chapman, O Makin (Rochdale), R Carruthers (Royton), S Dulaj (Austerlands). Reserve: J Caudwell (Greenfield). Players meet 11.30am.

Gill's task the previous day is to try to lead his men towards an upset at PCL Premiership leaders Norden.

Crompton will hope to increase the pressure at the top by winning at strugglers Austerlands, Saddleworth host Monton and Weaste and Glodwick are at second-placed Walsden.

In the Championship, there is another battle between Middleton and Moorside, the two clubs currently top and second respectively in the division.

The duo met in the JW Lees Bitter Wood Cup last week, with Middleton prevailing.

Tonight sees another round of Tom Hardman Twenty20 Cup matches and Gerrie Snyman will be winding up to try to get close to his unbeaten 107 that secured victory for Morrside over holders Monton and Weaste in the first round of group matches.

The Turf Pit Lane club are at home tonight, with Micklehurst the visitors.

WEEKEND fixtures -

TONIGHT (6.15pm) - Tom Hardman Twenty20 Cup, Group 'A': Heyside v Norden; Monton and Weaste v Stayley; Moorside v Micklehurst. Group 'B': Glodwick v Hollinwood; Milnrow v Crompton; Royton v Ashton. Group 'C': Littleborough v Shaw; Walsden v Saddleworth; Werneth v Middleton. Group 'D': Greenfield v Aust'lands; Oldham v Friarmere; Uppermill v R'dale.

TOMORROW (1.15pm) - Premiership: Austerlands v Crompton; Norden v Greenfield; Rochdale v Littleborough; Saddleworth v Monton and Weaste; Stayley v Heyside; Walsden v Glodwick.

Championship: Ashton v Shaw; Friarmere v Hollinwood; Micklehurst v Royton; Middeton v Moorside; Milnrow v Oldham; Werneth v Uppermill.

SUNDAY - Readers Inter-League Trophy: Pennine Cricket League v The Liverpool Competition (at Crompton CC).