Escape hopes alive after Werneth weekend double

MATT TAYLOR

CRICKET: FEW saw it coming, but the belief in the Werneth dressing room had never waivered.

Last weekend’s Lake Garage CLL Premier Division fixtures saw two huge shocks – and both were delivered by Matt Taylor’s Coppice outfit.

First came a three-wicket win at leaders Norden. After bowling out their hosts for 149, the division’s bottom club reached their victory target for the loss of three wickets.

Then 24 hours later Werneth inflicted a 22-run home defeat on second-placed Walsden.

Werneth raced to a commanding 264 for one, pro Mohammed Zaman Khan hitting an unbeaten 120 and skipper Taylor a swashbuckling 82 not out.

Werneth now have safety from relegation firmly in their sights. They are upwardly mobile and full of confidence while second-from-bottom Rochdale are on a downward spiral and seemingly lacking belief.

Just one point separates the teams and, on current form, you would have to say Werneth are the club more likely to be playing Premier Division cricket next season.

What sparked their magical weekend?

Said Taylor: “We have continued to work hard and the belief (in the bid to avoid relegation) has always been there.

“We are all mates in the team and I think that helps, too. It’s not been an easy season and we have had to graft hard, but there is a tremendous amount of confidence in the changing room now and if we can stay up this season, then we can rebuild next year.”

Werneth’s push for survival continues with a rematch with Walsden away from home on Sunday.