Crompton must rise to challenge

CRICKET: CROMPTON are relishing the prospect of taking on Heywood in the quarter-finals of the John Willie Lees Wood Cup at Crimble on Sunday (1.30pm).

Winners of the trophy four times in the last 10 years, Heywood have an impressive cup pedigree and are formidable opposition at home.

But despite squandering a winning position at home to Radcliffe in their Championship fixture last weekend, Crompton have been in excellent form and are sure to give their Premier Division opponents a run for their money.

Heywood welcome back professional Travis Townsend after the influential South African missed two weekends with split webbing between his fingers.

The likes of Crompton’s own skipper Carl Taylor, his brother Danny, Ryan Mayes and paid man Michael Pote will be given the task of keeping the Heywood batsmen quiet, while the identity of the fifth bowler will become clearer following tomorrow night’s selection meeting.