Ward itching for Royton return

BACK AMONG THE RUNS . . . Franco Lenhardt opened the batting for Werneth on Saturday and duly responded with 73 against Clifton.

CRICKET: FRUSTRATED by another spell on the sidelines, Royton skipper Matthew Ward is determined to return to action for his club against Monton and Weaste on Saturday week.

Ward was in excellent form with the bat and enjoying a successful second spell as captain for Royton when his injury jinx struck again at the end of May.

Attempting to take a catch against Oldham, he fell on his right arm and at first feared he had suffered a recurrence of a broken wrist which had caused a previous absence from cricket.

But hospital checks revealed a snapped radius and fractured ulna, injuries which have been slow to heal.

“Not only did I injure myself, but I dropped the catch as well,” joked Ward. “But it is healing and I am having physio at Tameside Hospital.

“I did want to be back for tomorrow night’s Twenty20 quarter-final, but I am going to wait a bit longer so I should be all right for Saturday week.”

Ward has been a frustrated onlooker as Royton’s season has gone through a series of peaks and troughs.

With professional Luke Procter missing games through Lancashire commitments and opening batsman Simon Brierley away for two weeks on holiday, Royton have had to battle on without some of their key players.

“The three of us have only played together three times,” said Ward. “And the two of them missed the Wood Cup tie against Milnrow.”

Following their early exit in that competition and a middle to low position in the league, Royton’s hopes are pinned on a successful John Willie Lees Twenty20 Competition.

“We play Littleborough in the quarter-finals tomorrow and although they are a good team, we always have a chance with Luke in our side,” said Ward.

Oldham are this area’s other representatives in the quarter-finals.

Chris McDonnell’s men have home advantage against Norden.




THE CLL colts have one foot in the final of the Reader Inter-League Cup after beating the North Lancs and Cumbria League at Furness CC.



Unsworth’s Chris Long hit a superb 139, with five sixes and 17 fours, and Middleton’s George Walker played a supporting role with 47 as the CLL recovered from 15 for two to post 255 for eight from their 45 overs.

In reply, The North Lancs and Cumbria League fell victim to the leg-spinning skills of Royton’s Joe Lovell, who returned figures of 9-5-11-4 as the hosts were skittled for 126.

Norden’s Harvey Fitton took three for 26 from nine overs.

The CLL will book their place in the final should they beat the Bolton League at Middleton CC on Sunday, August 8 (1.30pm).




STEVE Dryden (Milnrow) hit an unbeaten 106 as the CLL retained the Warburton Trophy with victory in their annual 2nd X1 clash with the Bolton League.



Taking first guard at Clifton CC, the CLL rattled up 280 for four before bowling out their opponents for 216.




CRAIG Taylor hit an unbeaten 50 as Oldham defeated Middleton by two wickets in the CLL under-18s competition for the Whittaker Cup.



Scores: Bury 73, Rochdale 257-2; Clifton 324-8. Werneth conceded; Crompton 86-5, Royton 87-3; Middleton 82, Oldham 85-5; Walsden 147-1, Unsworth 146-7.