Put the pedal to the metal

CRICKET: SIMON Wright is hoping last weekend’s maximum points haul can kick-start Crompton’s season.

The Glebe Street skipper watched his team lose only one wicket as they demolished Ashton and Oldham on successive days - wins that came after a run of poor results featuring poor batting.

“Until last weekend a lack of runs had been the problem,” said Wright. “The top five or six had all been out of form together, which is unusual.”

Crompton’s mini revival has breathed new life into the club’s hope of promotion from the Championship and, with 16 games to go, Wright is determined to see his side push on.

Crompton is currently fourth, 15 points adrift of leaders Milnrow and 12 points behind second-placed Monton and Weaste.

Next up is Saturday’s home game against Radcliffe, three points below Crompton.

Wright added: “It’s a game we have the potential to win, but the slight worry is that only three of our

players got a bat last weekend.”

Before that clash gets underway, Crompton has an important date at Norden tomorrow night (6.15pm).

Wright’s men take on Norden in the quarter-finals of the JW Lees Bitter Tom Hardman Twenty20 Competition and clearly face a daunting task against the Premier Division leaders.

“They are where they are for a reason,” said Wright, “but you never know; we will be hoping to surprise them.”

Other quarter-final action sees Royton entertain Monton and Weaste and Werneth go to Littleborough.



CROMPTON’S second team kept up their bid for the Division Two title with two good wins.

In a game reduced to 25 overs per side, opponents Ashton were dismissed for 87.

A day later the side scored a seven-wicket success at home to Oldham.

Crompton remain in good heart for Sunday’s Burton Cup semi-final at Norden.