Crompton bid for title tonic

WERNETH CC, 2008, from left to right, back row: Janine Taylor (scorer), Nathan Griffin, Mark Dronsfield, Matthew Taylor, Kaushal Lokuarachchi (professional), Mahmood Ul-Hason, John Slater. Front: Michael Wilson, Franco Lenhardt, Andy Walker (captain), Joe

CROMPTON continue their push for Lake Garage CLL title honours with a trip to Middleton tomorrow.

Simon Wright’s side have endured a frustrating time in the John Willie Lees Wood Cup, their quarter-final tie against Walsden which began last Sunday falling foul of the weather every night this week.

It looks as though Crompton will be forced to continue the tie next week, but they will need to focus on the league tomorrow as they are very much in the thick of the title race.

The top four teams, including Crompton, all won last weekend so victory against a side second from bottom of the table is essential.

Like Crompton, WERNETH have been victims of the weather in their cup quarter-final against Monton and Weaste.

They return to league action on Sunday when they go to Walsden.

The CLL granted Walsden’s application to move the game back 24 hours so that their players can attend the wedding of a seriously-ill club-mate.

ROYTON will be without skipper Guy Lovell when they travel to Clifton tomorrow.

Lovell damaged a muscle in his side at work, but hopes to back for Royton’s return game against Clifton at the Paddock tomorrow week.

Paul Hughes, who has made a couple of telling contributions with the bat when Royton have been in trouble this season, will continue to lead the side in Lovell’s absence

Royton pushed high-flying Norden all the way on Saturday, but they are slipping off the pace a little and victory tomorrow is essential if they are to reignite their title challenge.

OLDHAM, in Twenty20 semi-final action against Monton and Weaste tonight, go to Littleborough in the league tomorrow without Stuart Moore, who is taking a break from the CLL.

Mel Whittle’s men gave Heywood a fright at the Pollards last weekend and will be confident of returning to winning ways at Hare Hill.