Dad’s Army!

HERE TO HELP . . . last season’s first-team captain Alan Durose will help to plug the gaps for Royton this weekend.

ROYTON have turned to their golden oldies to solve a player-shortage crisis.

First-team skipper Denny Hulme’s stag weekend in Ibiza has fallen in the middle of a double-fixture period for the first and second teams. The third team too has a fixture on Sunday.

Three first team players, Chris Hutchinson, Adam Good and Tony Walsh, plus second XI captain Matthew England will be joining Hulme on the trip.

Other considerations have helped to leave Royton with huge holes to fill.

So in true Dad’s Army fashion, several retired players have agreed to come to the rescue.

Guy Lovell - who will captain the second team - Craig Hopkinson, Paul Hughes, John Murray, Paul Foden, Glenn Dickenson, Dave Rawstron and Gary Lees will all be in action over the weekend. So, too will be last year’s first-team captain Alan Durose, who has answered an SOS from the senior squad.

Durose has taken time out from cricket due to other commitments, but some time ago offered to help out if needed.

Despite their losses, Royton - second in the Championship - will expect to enhance their promotion prospects at the expense of Oldham at the Paddock tomorrow.

Liam Mason will captain a side which also includes returning fast bowler Matthew Hodson following a lengthy suspension.

Plenty of responsibility will fall on the shoulders of professional Ben Dunk, but the Aussie could hardly be in better form after hitting 154 in the victory at Ashton last Saturday.

Royton face a tricky trip to Unsworth on Sunday which also sees the weekend’s second derby game.

All-conquering leaders Werneth go to Crompton for a crucial match in the latter’s bid for promotion.

With Royton missing several players in their two weekend fixtures, Crompton will be hoping their main promotion rivals slip up.

But that will be of little benefit should they not win at Monton and Weaste tomorrow and against the leaders 24 hours later.

For their part, Werneth need to carry on doing what they have been doing. It’s a long time since they lost, and they should be too strong for Radcliffe at the Coppice tomorrow, before tackling Crompton on Sunday.

Oldham were aggrieved at having six overs docked against Radcliffe in their last fixture and must use that frustration as a ositive energy at Royton tomorrow and at home to Monton and Weaste the following day.