Derby rivals on parallel lines

CHRIS BOSCHOFF . . . solid batting technique.

ROYTON and Crompton have been treading almost identical paths in the Lake Garage CLL this season, so something has to give when they clash at the Paddock tomorrow.

The two local teams have a couple of wins from seven matches and both enjoyed confidence-building successes last weekend.

Royton, who won at Rochdale, and Crompton, winners against Werneth, both fell over the line on Saturday after dominating for large spells of their matches.

Crompton looked to be coasting to victory on 81 for one against Werneth’s 94, but the loss of four wickets for three runs left their supporters’ nerves somewhat frayed.

Skipper Glen Dawson admitted: “We played really well for two hours 20 minutes of the game, but for the other 10 minutes we were awful!”

Thankfully, a couple of hefty blows from Simon Wright saw Crompton home and the all-rounder is viewed as a key figure again this weekend.

“We need our big players to come to the fore,” said Dawson.

“Simon needs to get some more runs and I am also looking for our overseas amateur Chris Boschoff to make a big score.

“He looks very technically correct, but keeps getting himself out.”

Wright, who took five wickets against Werneth, will be hoping to produce his best form with the bat and Crompton would also benefit from a big score from professional Mohammed Zaman Khan.

The Pakistan ace has a couple of half-centuries to his name this season, but the big, match-winning score has so far proved elusive.

Dawson will lead Crompton tomorrow, but Wright stands in as skipper at home to Walsden on Sunday as the regular captain’s son, Scott, will be playing for Manchester North End Boys in the final of the under-15s County Cup against Chaddy End FC.

Royton, for whom Luke Procter was outstanding against Rochdale, go to Monton and Weaste on Sunday determined to set the record straight after suffering a nine-wicket defeat in the reverse fixture at the Paddock a fortnight ago.

Another re-match sees Oldham host Werneth at the Pollards on Sunday.

Werneth won by seven wickets when the teams met at the Coppice two weeks ago, but home advantage should see Oldham in a better light and a keen contest is in prospect.

Werneth, five points behind leaders Middleton, will be hoping to enhance their title claims when they entertain Monton and Weaste tomorrow.

The visitors are a strong side likely to be thereabouts at the end of the season so this is a crucial test for Andy Walker’s improving Werneth team, who will be looking to bounce back from their reverse at Crompton, where the 20-overs format did not play to their strengths.

Oldham, winners against Radcliffe on the opening day of the season, have drawn a blank since, but will be hoping to do better when they travel to Walsden tomorrow.

TOMORROW: Clifton v Rochdale, Middleton v Littleborough, Milnrow v Ashton, Norden v Radcliffe, Royton v Crompton, Unsworth v Heywood, Walsden v Oldham, Werneth v Monton and Weaste.

SUNDAY: Ashton v Unsworth, Crompton v Walsden, Heywood v Norden, Littleborough v Milnrow, Monton and Weaste v Royton, Oldham v Werneth, Radcliffe v Clifton, Rochdale v Middleton.

Matches start at 1.45pm.


Bank Holiday Monday sees the CLL senior and under-18 teams take on their Lancashire League counterparts.

Werneth’s Alan Durose is in the senior team in action at Church CC, while his Coppice team-mate Matthew Taylor lines up with the colts at Bacup CC. Both matches start at 1.30pm.