Title rivals out to keep up pressure

Photo: Picture: CHRIS SUNDERLAND

OUT YOU GO: Crompton batsman Darren Graham is beaten all ends up by a swinging delivery from Humza Naeen during Sunday’s Wood Cup tie at Heywood.

Cricket:
FOLLOWERS of Werneth won’t know which way to jump when looking out for the result of tomorrow’s Lake Garage CLL Championship match between Radcliffe and Royton.

Assuming Werneth take care of affairs at Ashton – and the form book suggests that a five-point win is likely – then they would go top of the division and stake an obvious title claim if Royton were to lose at the Racecourse.

However, there is a flip side to that. Defeat for Radcliffe would stretch the gap between Werneth and their current nearest pursuers for promotion to 18 points.

Despite having home advantage, Radcliffe have it all to against a rampant Royton side which grows stronger game by game.

In Ben Dunk, they have arguably the best professional batsman in either of the league’s two divisions.

And with his fellow Aussie Chris Hutchinson topping the Championship’s batting averages and Ryan Carruthers and Liam Mason also figuring prominently, the Paddock club clearly have plenty in their run-scoring armoury.

Adam Good’s excellent recent form with the new ball has been a tonic for Royton, too, so even though Radcliffe boast a good bowling pro in Michael Burns, their all-round strength cannot match up to that of their visitors tomorrow even given the recent exploits of batsmen Annis Patel and Hafeez Afridi.

Werneth’s task at Rayner Lane looks a simple one, although Ashton will dispute that following their recent easy win at Oldham and a solid effort in defeat against Monton and Weaste last week.

You had to feel for Sri Lankan professional Naweed Ghany on the latter occasion as he hit 83 and took a hat-trick in an eight-wicket haul yet still ended up on the losing side!

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to pinpoint where the threat lies for Werneth tomorrow.

There will be a sombre mood at Crompton following the death on Wednesday of club chairman Stewart Howarth, but their players will be desperate to record a derby win against Oldham and dedicate it to him.

Carl Taylor’s men had a chastening time against Royton and Heywood last weekend, but had previously been in good form.

Confidence might have taken a hit, but the same is true of Oldham, who were well beaten at Werneth on Saturday and clearly need to find some inspiration from somewhere.