Final toasts Werneth anniversary

CRICKET:

WERNETH will host next year’s John Willie Lees Wood Cup final - during the club’s 150th anniversary season.

The last time the final was held at the Coppice was in 2008, when Monton and Weaste defeated Heywood and Werneth.

Club president Howard Dronsfield said: “It’s very prestigious for a club to host the Wood Cup final and for us to do so in our 150th anniversary, doubly so.”

The Coppice outfit faces a tough first-round match. Promoted to the Premier Division as Championship runners-up in 2013, Werneth are away to Monton and Weaste on May 18.

Crompton and Royton — the latter were second-tier champions this summer — must also travel. They take on Unsworth and Clifton respectively.

But Oldham have home advantage against Ashton, which gives them a great chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.