Taylor needs a boost

CRICKET: 

JUST when you thought things couldn\t get much worse, along comes a weekend double header to prove you wrong.

Werneth have one foot through the relegation trapdoor following last weekend’s narrow Lake Garage CLL Premier Division defeat to Royton.

Trailing second-from-bottom Rochdale by 11 points with seven fixtures remaining, they need a minor miracle to avoid a drop to the Championship.

But there will be no respite this weekend. Tomorrow Werneth go to leaders Norden, while on Sunday comes a home match against second-placed Walsden.

Werneth’s spirits will need lifting by skipper Matthew Taylor. Though they were bowled for a meagre 83 by Royton last weekend, they had their neighbours reeling on 51 for eight in reply - only for home professional Pieter Malan (29 not out) and Adam Good (12 not out) to steer the home side over the winning line.

Good was adding salt in the wounds, having earlier taken five wickets for 32 runs.

For their part, Royton will hope to get something from tomorrow’s home game against Clifton and Sunday’s trip to Littleborough.

Crompton are just about the hottest side in the CLL at the moment, but their promotions credentials will be put to the test when they host Middleton tomorrow before travelling to Championship leaders Monton and Weaste 24 hours later.

Oldham, who can’t make enough runs to frighten opposition sides, entertain Monton tomorrow before going to Radcliffe on Sunday.



SATURDAY:

Premier Division: Heywood v Littleborough; Norden v Werneth; Royton v Clifton; Walsden v Rochdale.

Championship: Crompton v Middleton; Milnrow v Radcliffe; Oldham v Monton and Weaste; Unsworth v Ashton.



SUNDAY

Premier Division: Clifton v Norden; Littleborough v Royton; Rochdale v Heywood; Werneth v Walsden.

Championship: Ashton v Milnrow; Middleton v Unsworth; Monton and Weaste v Crompton; Radcliffe v Oldham.