Royton out to inflict hammer blow

LEAD BY EXAMPLE: captains Matthew Taylor of Werneth (batsman) and Crompton’s Carl Taylor (bowler) will have key roles to play for their clubs tomorrow.

CRICKET: ROYTON will place one foot in next summer’s Lake Garage CLL Premier Division should they beat Crompton in one of two Championship derby games tomorrow.

Already 13 points clear of their third-placed neighbours, Royton will consolidate their position in second should they come out on top against opponents sure to give their all.

With home advantage and professional Ben Dunk in irresistible form, Royton start this crunch game as favourites.

But they know a maximum-points loss would cut their advantage to a more vulnerable eight points, with a final-day clash between the two clubs looming large.

Crompton skipper Carl Taylor has acknowledged that defeat tomorrow would end his team’s promotion hopes, but he has a strong line-up at his disposal, including Sam Cheshire, who made a sparkling century at Monton and Weaste last weekend.

The day’s other derby looks more predictable with leaders Werneth - who have suffered just one loss all season - hosting Oldham, who were relegated to the bottom of the table by Ashton’s victory last weekend.

Werneth are not that far off clinching promotion and another five points look theirs for the taking even though Rashid Hussain’s men – with nothing to lose – can play with freedom.

Sunday sees the John Willies Lees Wood Cup final between Heywood and Walsden.

Heywood’s picturesque Crimble ground stages the showdown which features two evenly-matched sides.

Walsden won the recent league match between the two teams, but Heywood boast a fine record at home so this one could go either way.