Taylor calls for instant response

CLL CRICKET PREVIEW by KEITH McHUGH CROMPTON skipper Carl Taylor was left to reflect on what might have been as his team suffered a weekend of heartbreak.

The Glebe Street outfit had unbeaten leaders Heywood in strife at Crimble on Saturday, but could not complete the job and the home team sneaked home by one wicket.

And 24 hours later, Crompton were dumped out of the Wood Cup after being well in the game against Unsworth.

The Heywood defeat was particularly galling as Crompton, who were bowled out for 156, had worked so hard to reduce their hosts to 149 for nine after being 129 for three.

Rob Slawson and Chris Kaye got Heywood over the line and while there was a feeling of pride in their display, Crompton were clearly frustrated at being denied.

Said Taylor: “Had they knocked the runs off for four wickets down it wouldn’t have been so difficult to accept.

“We had our chances the following day, too. We got virtually the same score against Unsworth and had them four down for 70-odd and were were well in the game.

“But we dropped Wiggy (John Wiggans) and he went on to win it for them with a very good knock.

“We are paying for not batting our overs. There were three left against Heywood and a couple against Unsworth and the extra runs we could have scored might have made a difference.”

Crompton are just outside the leading eight places in the league – a finish in the top half would secure a place in next year’s CLL Premier Division – so tomorrow’s home game against Radcliffe takes on extra significance following last weekend’s disappointment.

“Had we beaten Heywood, we would have been happy with the start we have made,” said the skipper.

“But it we can string two or three wins together, we will be in the top half, so let’s hope we can start tomorrow.”

TOMORROW (1.30pm): Ashton v Littleborough; Crompton v Radcliffe; Heywood v Oldham; Middleton v Werneth; Milnrow v Unsworth; Rochdale v Monton and Weaste; Royton v Norden; Walsden v Clifton.