Crompton must aim to kick on

CHRIS McDONNELL: Royton’s opening batsman will skipper the CLL team on Sunday at Middleton

CRICKET: CROMPTON have bucked a worrying local trend by posting their intentions in the race for a place in next season’s Lake Garage CLL Premier Division.

While neighbours Royton, Oldham and Werneth have been struggling in recent weeks, Crompton have been resurgent.

Their against-the-odds victory over Royton at the Paddock on Saturday lifted them to eighth place and if they can keep that position – or better it – a place among the elite clubs will be theirs in 2013.

Our other three local teams face extremely-tough away fixtures.

Werneth, with just nine points from eight fixtures, travel to second-placed Walsden, while Royton go to Milnrow, who are in third.

Oldham, on the same points as Werneth, are at Littleborough, who are showing signs of shaking off their surprising early-season blues.

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