Rays of sunshine at Rayner Lane

Pennine Cricket League

AT last, it appears Ashton Cricket Club have turned a significant corner, and now everyone involved with the Rayner Lane outfit is looking up.

The proverbial perennial strugglers, fortunes began to turn four years ago at Ashton when, thanks to the London Olympic legacy, they received a very welcome Sport England grant.

The cash allowed Ashton to revamp and re-roof their clubhouse, meaning their function room and clubhouse now provide a precious new income stream from lettings.

On the pitch, Ashton have fared well in the new Pennine League Championship ­- they currently sit comfortably in mid-table ­- and last weekend a breathtaking win against Werneth earned the club a place in the Tanner Cup final.

With no (CLL) league title success since 1940 and shorn of Wood Cup joy since the mid-1960s, these are happier times for Ashton, as club vice-chairman Stan Adshead acknowledges.

He said: "This club had been in the doldrums for far too long.

"Now, though, it seems we've stopped the rot.

"It's taken a few years but, thanks to the Sport England grant and the excellent junior set-up we now have at Ashton, there's a positive feel about the place again.

"Of the team that beat Werneth in the Tanner Cup last weekend, eight of the players came through the junior ranks."

One of those impressive Ashton youngsters is Lancashire under-17 captain Bradley Woolley ­- the teenager took four wickets against Werneth ­- and he has been somewhat inspired by fellow spin bowler Chamikara Edirisinghe, this year's professional from Sri Lanka.

Adshead added: "Chammy has been a joy to watch at times this season.

"You can't get a bat to him.

"He's 22, but it's the first time he's been over here and he's been very willing to learn.

"It was tough early in the season when the weather was bad, but with every game right now he's growing more confident.

"He's helped Bradley no end, too.

PARADISE

"Between the two of them they've helped create something of a spinner's paradise at Rayner Lane."

Edirisinghe's terrific recent form was highlighted by scarcely believable figures of 10 overs, three wickets for three runs last weekend when Werneth were skittled for just 55.

Ashton meet Crompton in the Tanner Cup final at Moorside on August 14.