In search of a hero

CRICKET: CONFIDENCE is low among our four local CLL clubs – perhaps with the exception of Royton – but it only takes one individual to turn in a star performance to make the picture look a whole lot rosier.

Perhaps that will come from one of the professionals - Matt Needham (Crompton), Mohammed Hanif (Oldham), Darren Shadford (Werneth) or Luke Procter (Royton) - but each side has its fair share of amateur players who can turn a match on a good day.

Royton were the only one of our clubs to win last weekend – and that was at the expense of neighbours Oldham – so it’s fingers crossed and hope for the best in tomorrow’s latest round of fixtures.

With Matt Ward out for four to six weeks with a broken bone in his arm, Royton will be captained tomorrow by wicket-keeper Gareth Lees when they host Walsden.

The visitors to the Paddock have not had the greatest of seasons so far, but give the impression they are punching below their weight.

In Duminda Perera, Walsden have a decent professional and with star opening batsman James Rawlinson in good form they pose a big threat to a Royton side expected to welcome back paid man Procter from Lancashire duty.

Werneth are in a mini slump following a promising opening to the season, but they have home advantage against Unsworth tomorrow and need to make it count.

Oldham, sorely lacking a cutting edge with the ball, face the hardest task of all.

They are away to leaders Norden, who are almost unbeatable on their idiosnycratic Woodhouse Lane ground and boast an in-form professional in Michael Price.

Crompton’s woes continued at Milnrow last weekend and they will do well to trouble last season’s double winners Monton and Weaste at Glebe Street.

TONIGHT (Twenty 20, 6.15pm): Monton and Weaste v Unsworth; Radcliffe v Clifton; Heywood v Middleton; Rochdale v Norden; Ashton v Royton; Werneth v Oldham; Crompton v Walsden; Milnrow v Littleborough.

TOMORROW (League, 1.45pm): Ashton v Middleton; Clifton v Milnrow; Crompton v Monton and Weaste; Heywood v Rochdale; Littleborough v Radcliffe; Norden v Oldham; Royton v Walsden; Werneth v Unsworth.