Cup hopefuls aim to play it again

BOWLER Craig Joy will be a key player for Oldham on Sunday.

CRICKET: IF recent form is anything to go by, Oldham and Werneth can look forward to securing places in the quarter-finals of this season’s John Willie Lees Wood Cup.

The flagship competition of the Lake Garage CLL gets under way on Sunday (1.30pm), when Oldham entertain Ashton and Werneth go to Heywood.

Oldham, in particular, will consider themselves hot favourites to progress against a side they slammed at Rayner Lane last Saturday.

On that occasion, skipper Chris McDonnell made a superb 123 as Oldham raced to 267 after taking first guard.

Chasing a revised target of 191 from 29 overs following a rain delay, Ashton were never in the hunt and were restricted to a moderate 108 for seven.

McDonnell will warn his players about the dangers of complacency and that the Wood Cup format in which bowlers are restricted to 10 overs can produce shock results.

But if Oldham mind their business, a last-eight home game against Milnrow or Walsden is theirs for the taking.

WERNETH’s task is more daunting on paper as Heywood have a rich cup history and are always tough to beat on home territory.

But Andy Walker’s men have the comfort of knowing they saw off Sunday’s hosts by three wickets at the end of last month.

Heywood are expected to parade new professional Andrea Agathangelou, who impressed with an unbeaten 91 against Royton on Saturday.

In run machine Bobby Cross and the hard-hitting Danny Pawson, Heywood have two other danger men, but they will be without off spinner Rob Slawson, who shattered bones in a finger while attempting a return catch against Royton, and opening batsman Ross Zelem, who is on duty for one of Lancashire’s junior teams.

Werneth have plenty of bowling options with Matt and Joe Taylor, pro Hasnain Abbas and Mark Dronsfield almost guaranteed 10 overs apiece and plenty of back-up options including skipper Walker.

ROYTON will travel to Radcliffe full of confidence after last weekend’s heroics and it is to skipper Alan Durose’s advantage that most of his bowlers turned over their arms against Heywood.

Radcliffe have made a steady start to the season and will provide tough opposition, but momentum is a powerful force and Royton go into the game on the back of a good win while Radcliffe were somewhat fortunate to fall over the line against struggling Crompton in their most recent fixture.

As for CROMPTON, they need everything to go right and possibly more besides if they are to win at second-placed Littleborough.

Boro raced to a 10-wicket win at Glebe Street at the beginning of this month and boast a host of matchwinners in their team.

Crompton skipper Carl Taylor admits his side are underdogs, but insists they will give it their best shot and hope it is their day.

There is a full league programme tomorrow when the stand-out game is Oldham’s home fixture against leaders Norden, whom they shocked twice last season.

Oldham will be hoping lightning strikes for a third time.

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

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