Wright's men target Premiership leaders

Photo: Tim Bradley

VICTORY MISSION . . . Crompton's Simon Wright

WOOD Cup finalists Crompton bid to carry on their knockout form in order to increase the pressure at the top of the JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League.

Skipper Simon Wright's men, who booked a date with Rochdale next month after seeing off Littleborough by seven wickets in the semi-final tie, have a chance to try to make up ground on the top two in the Premiership.

First, it's another battle with Littleborough tomorrow as fourth-placed Crompton travel to Hare Hill.

GAP

Then on Sunday, they welcome Greenfield at Glebe Street, bidding to close the gap that currently stands at 12 points to leaders Norden, who host Stayley tomorrow.

Royton, who missed out on a final place after a defeat to Rochdale, are in Championship action tomorrow where they host fifth-placed Uppermill before travelling to Shaw, who are two spots adrift in fourth, the following day.

While Norden and Moorside from Group 'A', and Littleborough and Walsden (Group 'D') have already qualified for the last-eight knock-out stages of the Tom Hardman Twenty20 Cup, there is plenty at stake in the other two sections.

The final round of group games take place tonight, with a posse of teams in with a chance of progressing.

In Group 'B', Glodwick, Royton and Hollinwood are locked together on six points - but don't rule out Crompton, who are two points adrift in fourth place.

It is even tighter in Group 'D', with four teams on five points. They are Rochdale, Uppermill, last season's beaten finalists Greenfield and Austerlands.

So, hold on to your hats for some Friday-night crash, bang, wallop!

This weekend's fixtures -

Tonight - Tom Hardman Twenty20 Cup (6.15pm), Group 'A: Monton and Weaste v Heyside; Norden v Moorside; Stayley v Micklehurst.

Group 'B': Crompton v Ashton; Hollinwood v Royton; Milnrow v Glodwick.

Group 'C': Saddleworth v Middleton; Shaw v Werneth; Walsden v Littleborough.

Group 'D': Friarmere v Austerlands; Oldham v Uppermill; Rochdale v Greenfield.

Tomorrow -

Premiership (1.30pm): Greenfield v Austerlands; Heyside v Glodwick; Littleborough v Crompton; Monton and Weaste v Walsden; Norden v Stayley; Rochdale v Saddleworth.

Championship (1.30pm): Hollinwood v Ashton; Micklehurst v Friarmere; Middleton v Milnrow; Moorside v Werneth; Oldham v Shaw; Royton v Uppermill.

Sunday -

Premiership (1.30pm): Austerlands v Monton and Weaste; Crompton v Greenfield; Glodwick v Littleborough; Saddleworth v Heyside; Stayley v Rochdale; Walsdenv Norden.

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