Just like the old days...

LUKE PROCTER . . . chanceless century.

Royton bask in glory of Procter-inspired Wood Cup victory

COCK-A-HOOP Royton are celebrating their most successful weekend of the CLL season.

Saturday’s league victory at Unsworth was followed by a thrilling two-wickets defeat of Middleton in the first round of the John Willie Lees Wood Cup.

The Paddock was packed for a game which saw Royton professional Luke Procter hit a match-winning unbeaten 108 as Royton successfully chased down Middleton’s total of 243 for six.

Skipper Barry Woodward said: “It has to be in my top three games of all time at the Paddock. I have not seen the ground as full as that for many years.

“It was just like the 1980s when we had one of our most successful sides and were playing in big games in the Wood Cup in front of big crowds.

“Luke has been phenomenal in the last few weeks and he judged his innings on Sunday to perfection.

“The game ebbed and flowed all day, but Luke did not give a single chance and was well supported by Dave Wilson and John Punchard.”

Woodward also praised overseas amateur Ryan Carters, who produced a dazzling stumping to dismiss Middleton professional Ken Skewes for 49.

John Punchard’s delivery was a foot and a half outside the leg stump, yet Carters was able to gather the ball and whip off the bails before Skewes was able to ground his back foot.

“It was a brilliant stumping and a defining moment of the game,” said Woodward.

“Had their pro stayed in he might have made another 30 or 40 and we would have been chasing 280 instead of 240.

“Ryan also made his first 50 of the season on Saturday and is starting to look a lot better now that the wickets are firming up.”

Carters’ half-century came at Unsworth, where Royton registered their third league win from their last four games.

“We have a more settled team and, as a result, we have become much more consistent,” said the skipper.

“We play Milnrow on Saturday and although they had two good wins against Norden at the weekend we are confident that we can perform well against anybody.”

As for Royton’s Wood Cup quarter-final at Monton and Weaste on Sunday, June 21, Woodward said: “They have beaten us at our place this season, but we have won there, so although they start favourites they will be wary of us.”