Werneth show early promise

Werneth 2010: Alan Durose (back row, left), Michael Wilson, Darren Shadford (professional ) Ian Dronsfield, Mark Dronsfield, Matthew Taylor. Andrew Fink (front, Andrew Walker (captain ) John Foxall, Franco Lenhardt, Chris Eramus (overseas amateur).

CLL CRICKET: WERNETH are setting the pace for local bragging rights in the Lake Garage CLL.

After six matches, Andy Walker’s men are in sixth place on 16 points — 14 behind leaders Norden, who boast a 100-per-cent record.

It was no disgrace to be beaten by the leaders at Woodhouse Lane on Saturday.

After putting Werneth in on a sluggish pitch, Norden reduced the visitors to 60 for four.

But Andy Fink (40), Joe Taylor (35) and Jon Foxhall (30) repaired the damage and Werneth reached what looked to be a competitive score of 192.

However, a rampant Norden batting outfit made a flying start to their reply, professional Michael Price and fellow opener Hashim Malik blasting 98 from the first eight overs.

And even though Malik was bowled by Joe Taylor, Matt Taylor had Nick Brierley caught at cover for 20 and Harvey Fitton was caught at mid-off from the bowling of the impressive Mark Dronsfield, all that did was delay the inevitable.

Greg Tattersall scored the winning runs and Price was still there on 107.

Werneth were much too good for OLDHAM in Sunday’s derby at the Coppice.

Surprisingly, Oldham decided to ask Werneth to bat on a flat-looking pitch and the decision backfired as the home batsmen piled up 238 for eight, overseas amateur Chris Erasmus scoring 126 not out, professional Darren Shadford 35 and Matthew Taylor 25.

The Oldham innings never really got going. Shadford bowled Paul Thompson in his first over, while spinner Alan Durose continued his fine form with six for 26 as the heart was ripped out of the visitors’ batting and they were dismissed for a meagre 93.

Werneth will be hoping to match this display when they entertain fourth-placed Rochdale tomorrow.

But Oldham need to step up a gear if they are to climb from second-bottom.

Chris McDonnell’s men look a decent side on paper, but things have not really clicked on the pitch so far despite the efforts of the tireless Mel Whittle.

The visit to Middleton tomorrow offers them a decent chance to kick-start their campaign as the Towncroft side may be low in confidence after two defeats last weekend.


ROYTON, in 10th place, picked up maximum points from their two matches last weekend and professional Luke Procter may have a problem wrestling the captaincy off last weekend’s stand-in Matt Ward.

Procter returns from Lancashire duty to lead Royton at Milnrow tomorrow and this will be a tough test against a side riding high in third place.


CROMPTON, two places below Royton, will be skippered by Glen Rigby in place of Carl Taylor when they entertain Littleborough.

There were some rueful expressions when Mohammed Zaman Khan — last year’s paid man at Glebe Street — turned up to play for Royton against his old side at the Paddock last Sunday and he rubbed salt in the wounds with a match-winning all-round display.

If Crompton are to beat Littleborough, they must get rid of Clinton Perren cheaply.

The Boro paid man, in his third spell at Hare Hill, has a fine track record in the CLL and has made a solid start to the season.


TOMORROW (1.45pm): Ashton v Norden; Clifton v Heywood; Crompton v Littleborough; Middleton v Oldham; Milnrow v Royton; Monton and Weaste v Radcliffe; Unsworth v Walsden; Werneth v Rochdale. There are no league matches on Sunday.