Matt’s back in the old routine

CRICKET: LUKE Procter, Royton’s professional and captain, missed both weekend matches after being a late call-up to the Lancashire side for Sunday’s Clydesdale Bank 40 match against Sussex at Hove.

But the 11th-hour setback did not faze Royton, whose vice-captain Matt Ward – ably supported by the experienced Simon Brierley – took charge in style.

Ward, who is feeling the benefit of a pre-season fitness regime and is a former captain at the Paddock, skippered Royton to back-to-back wins, hitting a match-winning 83 against Middleton at Towncroft on Saturday.

And Brierley, a league and Wood Cup-winning skipper during his fine career in the CLL, gave valuable advice and support as well as scoring a crucial 69 in Sunday’s derby defeat of Crompton at the Paddock.

Ironically, Procter did not play for Lancashire after all. The pitch was deemed a spinner’s track and Procter performed the role of 12th man for his county, who lost by 39 runs.

And, in a further twist of fate, his replacement for the Crompton match was none other than Mohammed Zaman Khan, the visitors’ paid man last season.

Ryan Mayes, who bowled superbly to collect eight wickets at the weekend, kept Zaman’s number on his mobile phone and, when Royton were looking for a deputy, he was able to put them in touch with the Pakistan ace.

Zaman, now playing as pro for Darwen in the Northern League, agreed to play and was a key performer against his old club, taking four wickets for 53 and hitting 72.


AMONG those in action for Crompton at the Paddock was skipper Carl Taylor.

There may be nothing unusual in that at first glance, but when you consider he was married the day before then you have to admire his dedication.

Taylor and three Crompton team-mates who attended his wedding were missing from Saturday’s home match against Heywood.

Not surprisingly, the Glebe Street men succumbed to a heavy defeat.

But Carl, who married Gill on Saturday, always planned to attend the following day’s match as his new bride is the daughter of Royton stalwart Trevor Lewis.

So, rather than watch, Carl decided to play and, showing few signs of a hangover, took one for 51 and scored 16 runs.


CROMPTON second team player Josh Reeves had to wait 40 minutes for the arrival of an ambulance after a recurrence of cruciate ligament damage to his knee during Saturday’s game at Heywood.

Josh, who was able to go to Crompton on crutches on Sunday, collapsed in agony after losing his footing while fielding.

After being given oxygen, he was taken to Fairfield Hospital in Bury.