Royton gear up for derby opener

A NEW era in the Lake Garage Central Lancashire Cricket League begins on Sunday.

For the first time, the league will have two sections – a Premier Division and Championship.

Last season’s top eight finishers are in the Premier, with the other eight – including all four local teams – in the lower tier.

Promotion is the clear aim for the eight clubs in the Championship and the presence of Oldham, Royton, Crompton and Werneth means there will be plenty of local derbies this season.

The first of these will take place at the Paddock this weekend when Royton entertain Oldham.

Both clubs have new skippers and professionals – Denny Hulme and Ben Dunk for Royton, Rashid Hussain and Saddique Mohammed for Oldham – so it will be interesting to see how these two new-look sides fare.

Werneth, with Mohammed Zaman Khan as paid man, entertain Radcliffe, while Crompton, who will be without professional Michael Pote and overseas amateur Denis Louis for their opening fixture, travel to Monton and Weaste.

Rishton’s Dan Salpietro is their deputy professional.