Twenty20 battle is hotting up

Local sport: Lake Garage CLL
PLACES in the semi-finals of the John Willie Lees Twenty20 competition are up for grabs tomorrow (6.15pm).

Fast-moving Friday-night cricket is proving popular with followers of Lake Garage CLL clubs so progress in the competition can prove quite lucrative at a time of financial hardship.

Werneth and Crompton, who clash at the Coppice tomorrow, will certainly be well aware of the financial benefits of a semi-final slot and, with local pride at stake as well, a fiercely-contested match is on the cards.

Royton, with Andy Punchard at the helm in place of regular skipper Barry Woodward, go to Hare Hill for a clash with Littleborough.

Luke Procter, who hit a rapid unbeaten 90 in the last Twenty20 match against Oldham, will be aiming to provide more fireworks, while the skipper and Matthew Hodson have also shown their ability to clear the boundary if getting their eye in.

In tomorrow’s other quarter-finals, Unsworth entertain Heywood and Norden are at home to Clifton.

Procter dropped another broad hint to the Lancashire selectors with a superb innings of 127 for the county’s second team in this week’s victory over Durham at Todmorden.

It was Procter’s second successive century following his unbeaten 105 against Cumbria at Leigh.


THE leadership of the CLL has been changing weekly and, at the halfway stage of the season, it’s anyone’s guess who will clinch the title come September.

Heywood are three points clear of Norden, who have picked up since the arrival of professional Jean Symes.

Monton and Weaste, who recently secured a regular professional in Malinga Bandara, are on the move and look menacing in joint third alongside Walsden.

Monton are also through to the semi-finals of the John Willie Lees Wood Cup and will be looking to complete the double last achieved by Heywood in 2006.

Oldham and Royton can influence the title race on Saturday. Oldham go to Heywood, while Royton entertain Norden.