Crompton’s cup dress rehearsal

THERE a few things more frustrating in sport than registering a morale-boosting victory only to wait ages for a chance to build on it.

Alas, that is the reality facing CROMPTON tomorrow when they entertain Clifton at Glebe Street.

Last weekend’s heavy rain washed out Crompton’s Lake Garage CLL match at Monton and Weaste and their Twenty20 showdown with Walsden.

Skipper Glen Dawson and his men must have been cursing, having defeated Walsden in emphatic style in the first round of the John Willie Lees Wood Cup the previous Sunday.

Crompton’s cup success came a week after they had lost heavily to the same opponents in the league and, while Dawson hopes for a similar scenario as regards the cup, he is hoping Clifton will be overcome in the league tomorrow before the return clash in the Wood Cup quarter-finals at Glebe Street on Sunday week.

“It’s a winnable game’” said Dawson. “But I’m sure they will be thinking the same as it’s a rehearsal for the Wood Cup.”

Crompton’s problems this season - and last, for that matter - have stemmed from an inability to bat out their 50 overs.

Dawson and his side are aware of that, however, and it was significant that Simon Wright played with self-restraint during his unbeaten knock of 87 which paved the way for the team’s cup success against Walsden.

“We have got to occupy the crease a lot more,” said Dawson. “Simon did that in the Wood Cup and probably batted 34 or 35 overs which is unlike him.

“He stayed around but then hit 37 off the last two overs which took us from 150 to 187, a total which made a big difference to the outcome.”

If Wright was the key batsman, then young Aqib Zulfiqar took the honours with the ball, collecting three wickets for five runs from seven overs.

Zulfiqar, Wright and Co. will need to be at their sharpest tomorrow, particularly when Clifton professional Adil Nisar is at the crease.

The Pakistan ace is a dangerous customer if allowed to settle and Crompton know his swift dismissal holds the key to success.

WERNETH have had a sticky patch in the last few weeks, but a trip to struggling Ashton offers them an obvious chance to get back on the winning track.

Aussie Ryan Broad, who made a half-century last weekend, is their stand-in professional once again.

OLDHAM remain a tight unit despite their limited resources and the visit of a powerful Norden outfit tomorrow will test their fighting spirit.

Norden will have professional Jean Symes in their ranks, the South African having overcome the visa difficulties experienced by many other overseas players.

ROYTON are enjoying a purple patch so a trip to high-flying Littleborough need not be so daunting as it might have been.

With professional Luke Procter in supreme form with bat and ball, Royton look sure to stretch the Hare Hill side, for whom Daryn Smit is proving a solid and reliable paid man.

TOMORROW (1.45pm): Ashton v Werneth; Crompton v Clifton; Heywood v Milnrow; Littleborough v Royton; Monton and Weaste v Unsworth; Oldham v Norden; Radcliffe v Middleton; Rochdale v Walsden.

TONIGHT (John Willie Lees Twenty20 Competition, 6.15): South-East section - Ashton v Oldham; Werneth v Royton. South-West - Clifton v Radcliffe; Unsworth v Monton and Weaste. North-East - Crompton v Littleborough; Milnrow v Walsden. North-West - Middleton v Heywood; Norden v Rochdale.