Test of character

CRICKET: ROCKED by setbacks in the last round of fixtures, our four local teams need to pick themselves for this weekend’s double header in the Lake Garage CLL.

Only Royton recorded a victory last weekend, but their win against Middleton on Saturday was followed by a crushing defeat at Norden where they were bowled out for only 46.

Crompton and Oldham’s difficult seasons continued with two defeats, while Werneth’s improvement ground to a halt as they lost at home to leaders Norden and away to improving Ashton.

Royton are away to Ashton tomorrow and a game they would once have viewed as a banker win assumes a new challenge given the home side’s performances in recent weeks.

If Ashton are on the way up, then Radcliffe – Royton’s opponents at the Paddock on Sunday – are most definitely heading in the opposite direction.

After a bright start to the season, Radcliffe have tumbled down the league and currently have only Oldham and Crompton below them.

Oldham were beaten by a single wicket at Unsworth last saturday, so they will be hoping their luck changes against fourth-placed Heywood at the Pollards tomorrow.

Chris McDonnell’s men face a trip to Walsden 24 hours later.

Crompton’s struggle against the odds continues with a home derby against Werneth tomorrow and a visit to Heywood on Sunday.

And Werneth, who will expect to bounce back from last weekend’s defeats with victory at Glebe Street, will need to keep visiting professional Paul Green in check when Monton and Weaste visit the Coppice on Sunday. The prolific batsmen has just passed 1,000 runs for the current campaign.