Werneth crave whole package

ALAN DUROSE: as enthusiastic as ever, the all-rounder can be well pleased with his efforts as Royton captain for the first time despite some frustrations.

CAPTAINS of our four Lake Garage CLL teams have mixed feelings as they look back on the summer’s action.

Royton finished highest of the four in sixth place, narrowly missing out on a place in next season’s LCB Cup.

Werneth were 11th after threatening to be much higher, while Oldham and Crompton ended up in 14th and 15th respectively.

Of the four, perhaps Werneth will consider themselves to be the side which under-achieved most, simply because of the talent within their side.

Skipper Andy Walker said: “I think we won as many games as we did last season which, when you consider we lost Alan (Durose, to Royton) has to be a positive.

“But, barring Norden, we beat every side who finished above us, so it was disappointing to lose to some teams we ought to have beaten.

“I said at the start of the season that consistency was the key and that has let us down.

“It’s unfortunate as some individuals had their best-ever season – Matt Taylor with bat and ball, Joe Taylor with the ball and John Slater with the bat.

“And Michael Wilson also re-emerged as a wicket-taking bowler.

“What we needed to do, and need to do next season, is put all these things together as a team.”

Royton’s summer was a big success under new skipper Alan Durose, but it could have been so much better.

The captain said: “If I had gone to the committee at the start of the season and told them we would reach the Wood Cup final, the semi-final of the Twenty20 and finish sixth in the league I’m sure they would have been more than happy.

“But to miss out on fifth (and a place in next year’s LCB Cup) was our fault as we should have won our last game at Heywood and there are lessons to be learned.

“In saying that, we have played for most of the season without a regular professional and that says a lot about the quality in the rest of the side.

“So although I am disappointed in some ways, I am delighted with the progress we have made and told the lads to keep their chins up and come back stronger next season.”

Crompton at least avoided the wooden spoon – a fate which befell Ashton – and skipper Carl Taylor admitted: “I said it all summer, but it’s a fact that we just did not put enough runs on the board.

“Some of our bowling performances were quite good and the wickets were spread around a bit, but there were at least four or five games which could have gone either way which we lost in the last few overs.

“We are bringing in some new faces next season, so some of the lads who played this season are going to be disappointed.”

For Oldham skipper Chris McDonnell, the 2011 campaign was an uphill struggle.

He said: “It was a bit disheartening, to be honest, and it didn’t help with a few players pulling out of the team just before the start of the season.

“Then there were others who said they would be available every week and weren’t, so in the end we just did not have enough players.

“It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Things in the club seem a bit better off the pitch, so hopefully we will attract some new players next season.”