Hulme accepts Royton captaincy

DENNY Hulme will be the captain of Royton CC for the 2013 Lake Garage CLL season.

He follows in the bootprints of Alan Durose, who has had to give up the post because of work and family commitments.

Hulme, who first played for Royton as an eight-year-old in the under-13 team, returned to the Paddock last season after four years away.

He was at Holmfirth in the Huddersfield League Premiership in 2008 before going to Milnrow, where he played CLL cricket for three seasons.

Hulme (28) was vice-captain of the Milnrow team which won the Wood Cup in 2010 and was captain the following season before returning to Paddock in 2012.

Said Hulme: "I had played at Royton for so long before I left and I felt it was time to come back last year.

"I'm really looking forward to the captaincy, leading a young side in our efforts to get into the Premier League of the CLL.

"It was a devastating blow not to qualify for the Premier last summer, but it could well turn out to be a blessing in disguise as we will have a lot of local derbies and the young players will get the chance to develop their talents, which will stand them in good stead.

"Alan could not give 100 per cent commitment to the job because of his other commitments and I am not sure how much he will be available.

"If he is able to play some games that will be an absolute bonus for the club."