Tough tests in store for Werneth

Photo: Picture by DARREN ROBINSON

ROYTON’S in-form professional Luke Procter will return to his cricketing roots in the CLL on Sunday.

CRICKET:

FOLLOWING a series of single-fixture weekends, it is back to double headers in the Lake Garage CLL.

And that gives our four local clubs the chance to make some serious headway in the table.

Werneth have been the most consistent of them in recent weeks, but they face two stiff tests over the next two days.

First up tomorrow is a clash with Littleborough at the Coppice.

Much has been made of the exploits of Boro professional Clinton Perren and overseas amateur Warron Williams, and a combined return of over 2,000 runs this season clearly underlines how vital it is for Werneth to dismiss them cheaply.

Werneth returned to winning ways with a

two-wicket win at Radcliffe last weekend, so spirit in the camp is high as they push for a

top-half finish.

Whatever their fate tomorrow, a trip to Middleton on Sunday presents another stiff challenge.

The Towncroft side, for whom Shaw-based opener Scott Stanworth has impressed with the bat in recent weeks, have been one of the league’s in-form teams and are particularly hard to beat at home.

ROYTON were no match for Littleborough last weekend and their exit from the Twenty20 competition at the hands of the same opponents ended hopes of silverware for the season.

A young side remains a work in progress so Royton will need to find their best form tomorrow if they are to overturn reigning champions Monton and Weaste at the Paddock.

Skipper Matt Ward is still not fit to return following his arm injury, so Gareth Lees continues to lead the side.

Lees and his men can expect a tasty battle against Oldham at the Pollards on Sunday, bearing in mind that their professional Luke Procter and opening bowler Ryan Mayes were products of the Oldham youth system.

OLDHAM warm up for what should be a feisty encounter by visiting Clifton tomorrow.

Skipper Chris McDonnell has identified free-scoring batsman Alex Griffiths and professional Hendro Puchert as players Oldham must keep quiet, so much will depend on the bowling performance of the ever-reliable Mel Whittle.

Following the tonic of a much-needed victory over Ashton, CROMPTON were blown away by title challengers Rochdale last weekend.

After so much recent rain, tomorrow’s match at Unsworth looks in serious doubt as the home side’s ground is not exactly renowned for its superb drainage system.

Crompton host Wood Cup finalists Milnrow on Sunday and must find a way to curb the exploits of opening batsmen Paul Winrow and Alex Schofield.

Fixtures —

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

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


TONIGHT’S Twenty20 quarter-final tie between Oldham and Norden has been

postponed. It has been rearranged for Sunday, August 1, on the instruction of the league’s

management committee.