Windies star hoping for sunny outlook

CROMPTON overseas amateur Denis Louis, pictured after scoring a record knock of 167 last season, was left kicking his heels after last Sunday’s game against Oldham at Glebe Street was postponed.

CRICKET:

THE sun usually shines on the island of St Lucia in the West Indies, home of Crompton overseas amateur Denis Louis.

So the 23 year old could be forgiven for wishing he were back home as rain descended on CLL grounds last weekend.

Louis, who missed the first four matches of the season due to a delay in leaving the Caribbean, was scheduled to return for Sunday’s home derby against Oldham.

But the soaking Glebe Street and other grounds around the league prompted officials to postpone all fixtures, the games to be played on two spare dates in September. The taking-up of those days leaves the league no room for manoeuvre should the weather strike again.

Louis will be hoping the weather relents in time for Sunday’s John Willie Lees Wood Cup-tie at Unsworth. A promising forecast will allow him to continue the sort of impact he made during his second season at Glebe Street, which included a record-breaking knock of 167 during his team’s victory over Oldham.

Louis was a regular visitor to Bamford Fieldhouse in the Saddleworth and District League last summer and became friends with Crompton skipper Simon Wright and his Bamford team-mates Josh Tolley, the new pro at Glebe Street, and amateur imports Mel Austin and Marlon Black.

The four ex-Bamford men have already made an impact during Crompton’s promising start in the Championship; Louis’ addition can only strengthen it.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Oldham entertain Ashton, while Royton hope to repeat their opening-day win at Clifton and Werneth will be out to register their first victory of the season at Monton and Weaste.