Local Cricket: Lake Garage CLL - Crompton seek inner strength

NICK MAREE . . . Oldham’s overseas amateur produced a fine unbeaten 57 to steer his team to victory over Littleborough last Saturday.

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CROMPTON skipper Simon Wright’s motivational skills will be put to the test this weekend when his team face two vital matches, one of them against local rivals Oldham.

Morale was understandably low in the Crompton camp after last Sunday’s Wood Cup semi-final defeat at Heywood, but there is still plenty to play for this season, not least a first league title since 1954.

And that is an achievable goal because any side which can lead the way after 18 of 30 league matches undoubtedly has championship potential.

So Crompton must pick themselves up, starting with tomorrow’s visit to Ashton who, coincidentally, were also beaten in the Wood Cup semi-finals.

In fact, Ashton have more reason to be downbeat than Crompton as their defeat at the hands of Monton and Weaste came off the last ball of their opponents’ 50 overs.

This is a game Crompton ought to win comfortably. Ashton are bottom of the table, with only two wins to their credit, and although professional Ian Daniel has been in good nick with the bat, Crompton’s powerful bowling attack should be able to contain him.

Sunday brings the visit of Oldham, and that means a return to Glebe Street for former Crompton stalwart Mel Whittle, who is now an integral part of Oldham’s revival on and off the field.

With a ground in much better condition than in recent years – Saturday’s home game against Littleborough was the only CLL fixture to survive the weather – and with seating available for many more spectators, Oldham are clearly getting their house in order.

And their efforts have prompted a positive response on the pitch, where they have staged a mid-season revival which has taken them to seventh in the table, 10 points behind Crompton.

Oldham professional Chinthaka Jayasinghe continues to be a huge threat with his blistering batting displays, while overseas amateur Nick Maree is proving himself to be a class act with the willow and a strong bowling line-up is also doing the business.

First up for the Pollards men this weekend is a home match against Middleton tomorrow and that means a clash between two of the league’s most experienced adversaries, captain Whittle and his Middleton counterpart John Punchard.

The second derby match of the weekend takes place at Werneth on Sunday when Royton are the visitors.

Written off by many after a poor start to the season, Werneth have proved their detractors wrong by climbing off the bottom of the table to a position of more respectability.

Skipper Andy Walker has instilled belief in his inexperienced team so Royton will know they have to produce a solid performance if they are to return to winning ways following defeat in their last fixture at Clifton.

Like Oldham, Royton are sat in mid-table, but they are only 12 points behind the top club and know that a cluster of wins can thrust them right back into the title race.

Royton warm up for the derby with a home game against Walsden tomorrow and that means a repeat of last month’s Wood Cup first-round fixture which the visitors won by five wickets.

Should Walsden take maximum points from this match they will go above Royton in the table, so there is plenty at stake for both teams.