Werneth strike right balance

WERNETH CC 2013, from left to right, back: Majid Khan, John Slater, Matt Taylor (captain), Mehmood Ul-Hasan, Michael Wilson. Front: Hasnain Haider, Rob Shaw, Mohammed Zaman Khan (pro), Joe Taylor, Rash Khan, Ali Muzaffar.

CRICKET:

CAN we stop the season now? That must be in the minds of supporters of Royton and Werneth after six matches of the Lake Garage CLL Championship.

Neither club enjoyed a successful 2012 campaign, hence their place in the lower tier. But both have strengthened since then and are arguably the two best-balanced teams in their section. First and second in the table, they face promotion to the Premier Division if their form continues.

Supporters of Crompton and Oldham, who both won their last two games, will have something to say about that, but Werneth in particular have something to shout about after the disappointment of last summer.

The addition of Hasnain Haider, professional Mohammed Zaman Khan, Majid Khan and Ali Muzaffer has clearly bolstered the batting and taken the pressure off the likes of Matt and Joe Taylor and John Slater.

Although Werneth lost top spot when they were beaten by Royton in the recent derby, they managed to score 237 for seven.

Given a bowling attack which includes Zaman Khan, both Taylors, Andy Walker, Michael Wilson, Mehmood Ul-Hasan and Rash Khan, that total would normally have been enough. But Chris Hutchinson’s unbeaten 100 for Royton proved decisive.

Werneth’s bowlers will be keen to see the back of him – and professional Ben Dunk – early on when the teams clash again at the Coppice on Saturday.