Royton braced for acid test

CRICKET: ROYTON are back in business.

Though a bright start to their Lake Garage CLL season was followed by a slump, three wins have restored confidence and optimism at the Paddock.

Alan Durose’s team are entitled to feel they are finally fulfilling the potential they showed last season, but there remains room for improvement.

Much of their recent success has been built around the improved all-round performances of professional Mohammed Zaman Khan, while the skipper has led by example and the likes of Adam Good and Liam Brown have chipped in with useful contributions.

If others can follow suit, there is no reason why Royton can’t achieve their stated aim of a top-eight finish and a place in next season’s Premier Division.

But they face a true test of their credentials tomorrow when they visit resurgent reigning champions Norden. Boosted by the return of off spinner Oliver Makin after a spell of second-team cricket with Hampshire, Norden have steadily climbed the table and are clear favourites to retain their title.


Crompton suffered a depressing time last weekend with heavy defeats at Werneth and at home to Milnrow, but they have been down this road before only to bounce back and a trip to Radcliffe tomorrow offers them the chance to do so again.


Oldham continue to show promise without registering positive results and the visit of Heywood will provide them with a stern test.

Werneth entertain Middleton, the team they face 24 hours later in the Twenty20 Competition semi-finals.


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