Time running out for Taylor’s troops

Mohammed Zaman Khan: Werneth’s professional (right) hit 221 not out against Oldham last weekend

CRICKET:

CROMPTON will be aiming to keep alive their faint hopes of promotion in a Lake Garage CLL Championship derby at Oldham tomorrow.

Carl Taylor’s men are 18 points adrift of second-placed Royton with eight games remaining.

They play the Paddock outfit at home on the final day of the season and must hope that between now and then they can both go on a winning run - and see Royton slip up.

The form book suggests a Crompton win at Oldham, but Rashid Hussain’s side has home advantage and will be desperate to shrug off a couple of awful bowling performances against Royton and Werneth.

The latter are well on their way to the title and promotion to the Premier Division. And though they will not be mathematically up if, as seems likely, they beat Ashton tomorrow, they will be almost there.

Royton, meanwhile, entertain Radcliffe with professional Ben Dunk knowing this is the first of his last three matches before returning home to Australia.

There are no first-team games on Sunday, but the Burton Cup final will be held at Walsden, who host Heywood in a second X1 repeat of this week’s Wood Cup final won by the latter club.