Werneth push gathers pace

JOE LOVELL . . four wickets against Oldham last Saturday, Royton’s young leg spinner continues to learn his trade.

ANYONE compiling a Lake Garage CLL form guide would surely have Werneth near the top of their list.

Andy Walker’s men spent much of the first half of the season in the bottom half of the table, but a series of fine results has seen them climb to the relative riches of seventh place.

The kudos of finishing as the top local side looks a formality, while Werneth also know that they can spike the guns of some clubs harbouring title ambitions.

Third-placed Milnrow are tomorrow’s visitors to the Coppice and defeat for Paul Winrow’s side would surely give them too much to do as the season enters its final third.

With leaders Norden visiting the Coppice in a fortnight and a trip to second-placed Rochdale on the final day of the season to come, Werneth clearly have the capacity to shape the destiny of the title race.

And, following eight wins in their last 10 games, confidence must be high for a club whose dramatic improvement has been based on teamwork.

Almost every member of the side has made a contribution at some stage and that spells danger for Milnrow, who may also have one eye on Sunday’s Wood Cup final.

OLDHAM’S infuriating penchant for self-destruction shows no sign of abating.

The Pollards outfit threw away two more winning opportunities against Clifton and Royton last weekend and simply cannot afford similar kamikaze batting if they are to trouble Littleborough at Hare Hill tomorrow.

CROMPTON will be glad when the season ends.

Following a succession of heavy defeats, morale in the camp cannot be great but the visit of Middleton tomorrow gives them the chance to get a foothold in a game.

As for ROYTON, they should be in good spirits following Sunday’s derby victory over Oldham.

The continued promise of leg spinner Joe Lovell must be pleasing for a club committed to developing its youngsters, but everyone will need to be at their best if Royton are to upset title challengers Rochdale at the Paddock.