Local sides on recovery missions

CRICKET: OLDHAM and Royton will be aiming to bounce back from opening-day defeats when the second round of fixtures in the Lake Garage CLL are held on Sunday (1.15pm).

Oldham were never at the races against Rochdale, finally succumbing by 116 runs.

They will need to improve dramatically if they are to win at Milnrow, who opened their campaign with a comfortable 61-run win at Ashton.

Royton got much closer against Radcliffe, but really ought to have won after dominating for long periods.

No such lapses will be acceptable if they are to beat a powerful Norden outfit at the Paddock tomorrow.

Runners-up to Monton and Weaste last season, Norden made the perfect start to the 2010 season with a comfortable seven-wicket home victory over Unsworth.

Crompton surprised many observers with their narrow victory over Walsden and a repeat of that display would give them bright prospects at Clifton, who were soundly beaten by Middleton last weekend.

Werneth, for whom Alan Durose was a nine-wicket hero on the opening day, have every chance of making it two wins in two games when they entertain Radcliffe.

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


REIGNING champions Bamford Fieldhouse and last season’s runners-up Uppermill go head to head at Leafields on Sunday in the first round of matches in the 2010 Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League season.

Sunday: Stayley v Glodwick; Shaw v Moorside; Friarmere v Saddleworth; Uppermill v Bamford Fieldhouse; Greenfield v Austerlands; Heyside v Hollinwood. Open date: Droylsden.