On the edge of history

Luke Procter: back in the Royton side on Sunday.

WOOD CUP FINAL CRICKET:

ONE last push is all that stands between Alan Durose’s young team and a place in Royton folklore.

The John Willie Lees Wood Cup has never adorned the Paddock trophy cabinet and, for a club of Royton’s standing, that is an amazing omission.

Durose is aware of the weight of expectation, but is determined to embrace the occasion and encourage his players to do the same.

“Any cricketer who plays in the CLL wants to feature in a Wood Cup final,” said the player who was elected skipper on his arrival at Royton from previous club Werneth.

“There will be a big crowd there with players and supporters from other clubs as well and it is important that we enjoy it and soak it all up.

“Both sides will want it badly and, in my opinion, are evenly matched. It is the side which performs best on the day who will win it.

“We have a side good enough to win.

“Myself and John Punchard bring a lot of experience to the game, we have a top pro in Luke Procter and we also have some exciting youngsters who are mature enough once they get out on to the field.

“They put themselves about and are quite vocal and have grasped what I have tried to introduce to the team.

“It is not a fluke that we have reached the final.

“People talk about the two deputy professionals in the quarter-finals (Chesney Hughes against Norden) and semi-finals (Jamie How against Walsden), but the game is about 11 players and we stuck together when it was needed and bowled out both of those teams.”

A similar level of performance, with contracted professional Procter back in the team following lengthy spells on Lancashire duty, will be needed to defeat an excellent Middleton outfit.

Professional Michael Smith has already scored more than 1,400 runs this season and the South African is clearly a danger to Royton’s aspirations — a fact acknowledged by Durose.

He said: “Michael is a superb player with a fantastic attitude and lots of shots in his locker.

“But by sticking to our plans and keeping our disciplines we have got him out cheaply twice this season.

“We will be hoping to do so again, but it’s not just about him as there are other established batsmen in their side such as Steve Davey, Grant Jones and Scott Stanworth.

“It’s a very even game, but I don’t think they are any better than we are so I’m hoping it will be our day.”

Victory would provide the icing on the cake for Durose following the birth on Monday morning of his and partner Tracey’s first child, Lily Ann, who weighed in at 7lb 3oz.

“Lifting the cup would cap a fantastic year for me,” admitted the proud, if somewhat tired father.




The players

ROYTON



Alan Durose (captain): Skilful, slow-left arm bowler and aggressive top-order batsman. Has proved to be an inspirational leader in his first season in charge.

Luke Procter (professional): Has been on Lancashire duty for much of the season, but is clear to play in the final. Left-hand top-order batsman and right-arm fast bowler who is well capable of delivering a match-winning performance.

Gareth Lees (wicketkeeper): Established behind the stumps at the Paddock, the former captain can chip in with runs down the order.

Ryan Carruthers: Right-hand opening batsman who has produced some telling contributions. His medium pace bowling could come in handy, too.

Liam Mason: Another right-hand opener, he is extremely disciplined for one so young. Possesses a solid temperament.

Andrew Morris: Right-hand batsman who gives the team a bowling option with his right-arm slow. Sharp fielder who ran out Norden pro Michael Price in the quarter-finals.

Chris Hutchinson: Overseas amateur who has shone with bat and ball this season. Had a superb game in the semi-final against Walsden.

Liam Brown: Possesses a wide variety of deliveries as a right-arm bowler and is no slouch with the bat, either.

Matthew Hodson: Left-arm fast bowler, whose three-wicket strike in the semi-final destroyed Walsden. Can he repeat those heroics?

Matthew Smith: Opens the bowling with Hodson and, although the right-arm bowler is not as quick, he often poses top-order batsmen plenty of problems.

John Punchard: CLL legend whose experience could prove vital with so many youngsters in the Royton side. Equally effective with bat or ball.




MIDDLETON’S 12-man squad features a couple of players with strong local connections.



Wicketkeeper/batsman Scott Stanworth, who lives in Shaw, is the son of John Stanworth, the Lancashire CC Academy Director, while spinner Dale Highton spent several seasons at Crompton before his switch to Towncroft.

Rest of the Middleton squad is: Steve Davey (captain), Michael Smith (professional), Grant Jones, Reece Jones, George Walker, Mark Buckley, Zaffer Zaman, Martin Roberts, Danny Royle, Danny Core.




Going down like ninepins



WILL it be 10th time lucky for Royton on Sunday?



The club has been beaten in nine Wood Cup finals:

1931: Royton 84, Middleton 87-1.

1940: Ashton 252, Royton 230.

1941: Royton 117, Littleborough 120-5.

1953: Rochdale 150-5, Royton 105.

1959: Royton 168, Werneth 169-6.

1973: Royton 89, Littleborough 91-3.

1982: Littleborough 139, Royton 77.

1985: Royton 77, Oldham 81-1.

1987: Milnrow 193-6, Royton 137.




Getting there



MONTON and Weaste, the venue for Sunday’s final, is one of the CLL’s newer clubs.



Directions to the ground in Welbeck Road, Monton, Eccles:

Take the M60 towards Eccles and exit at junction 13.

At roundabout, take second exit on to Barton Road (B5211), signposted Eccles.

At traffic lights, turn left into Parrin Lane (B5229), signposted Swinton.

At roundabout, take second exit to Monton Green (B5229).

At roundabout, take third exit on to Monton Road (B5229) signposted Salford.

Turn left on to Cavendish Road, then left on to Welbeck Road.