Oldham’s chance to wreck party

LEADING FROM THE FRONT . . . skipper Simon Wright shows the commitment which has rubbed off on his Crompton team in recent weeks. Picture by Alan Ryder.

OLDHAM have the chance to destroy the CLL title dreams of Monton and Weaste at the Pollards on Sunday (12.45pm).

Although the odds will be stacked against Chris McDonnell’s men, they will be going flat out to upset a team boasting a four-point lead over second-placed Norden with just two fixtures remaining.

Monton already have the Wood Cup in their trophy cabinet, but the title is their main ambition.

Should they defeat Oldham this weekend and Heywood the following Sunday, then the championship will go to Monton, irrespective of what Norden do in their final two matches.

And that would be a mighty achievement for a club which has been in the CLL for only five years.

Recent form suggests Monton will prove too strong for Oldham.

Trent Scott’s men have been brushing aside opposing teams, last weekend’s 10-wicket dismissal of Ashton being typical of their ruthless approach.

That said, Sunday’s match is just the sort of occasion likely to get the juices flowing among the Oldham players.

Always to be respected on home turf, Oldham have been competitive in recent weeks despite the fact that only Radcliffe are below them in the table.

Overseas amateur Nick Maree has been in fine form with the bat since being promoted to opener, while the return to fitness of Paul Thompson has clearly helped and skipper McDonnell continues to make runs in the middle of the order.

If Oldham can bat first and post a decent score, Monton will be under pressure to deliver when it matters most.

CROMPTON restricted Oldham to 177 for two before rain washed out last Sunday’s game at the Pollards and skipper Simon Wright will be hoping the weather relents so that his team can continue an impressive run of form.

Professional Mohammed Zaman Khan has been among the runs recently and it would be no surprise to see him back at Glebe Street in 2009.

Wright, Khan and Co. travel to Ashton on Sunday for a match they ought to win given the shock their hosts must be feeling after being demolished by Monton.

The Coppice stages the last derby match of the season and, with only one point separating Royton and their hosts Werneth, the winners will be in prime position to secure bragging rights come the end of the season.

Werneth started the season brightly, but the departure after nine games of stand-in professional Pierre Joubert and the subsequent non-arrival of Roelof van der Merwe hijacked their campaign.

Andy Walker’s men will be keen to finish with a flourish and should have no difficulty in being motivated for the visit of neighbours Royton, for whom Luke Procter has had a satisfactory season as professional and will be the paid man again next summer.

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