Crompton facing up to a stiff task

CRICKET: BASEMENT boys Crompton know climbing the table will not be easy when they face high-flying Middleton tomorrow in the Lake Garage Central Lancashire League.

Having accumulated just 12 points from the opening 19 matches, Carl Taylor’s talented but under-performing players are looking to send out a statement by beating their second-placed opponents.

While the form book points towards an away win, Crompton will hope home advantage will play a part at Glebe Street.

They go into this encounter on the back of a derby defeat to Werneth, who earned a four-wicket victory in a match reduced to 30 overs per side due to the bad weather.

Mid-table Werneth aim to build on that morale-boosting triumph when they welcome fifth-placed Walsden to the Coppice tomorrow.

Oldham are back in action when they host Littleborough. Last time out the rain put pay to their home clash with Rochdale and the trip to Royton.

It promises to be an intriguing showdown at the Pollards, with Chris McDonnell’s men — desperate to climb the table — up against the team in third.

Royton and Clifton, who are currently both on the 48-point mark, battle it out at the Paddock.

For Royton it is a chance to recover from a narrow loss to Middleton in their last league game.

Alan Durose and his side have the opportunity to avenge that defeat on Sunday when the teams meet in the Twenty20 semi-finals (10.30am), with Middleton playing host.

Littleborough take on Rochdale at 1.30pm, with the final at 4.30pm.