Stuttering Royton need to turn tide

CLL PREVIEW

ROYTON will be hoping the forecast showers stay away from the Paddock tomorrow.

Denny Hulme’s men have dropped to second from bottom in the Lake Garage CLL Premier Division and are in desperate need of a win tonic.

And the arrival of Rochdale, the team one point and a place above them, provides Royton with the ideal opportunity to give themselves breathing space over neighbours Werneth.

The bottom club are still 10 points adrift of Royton, but such has been their form in recent weeks that none of the teams above them can rest on their laurels.

Hulme is still talking confidently of a top-five finish and a place in next season’s LCB Cup.

That is still very much within reach, but a form surge is required and professional Pieter Malan needs to start making some big scores if that is to happen.

Werneth have, on paper at least, the more difficult match tomorrow.

They go to Littleborough and will be hoping their hosts have one eye on Sunday’s JW Lees Bitter Wood Cup final which, ironically, will be held at the Coppice.

Confidence is high in the Werneth camp at present and a recent Twenty20 success at Hare Hill will give them belief that another vital victory in their quest for safety can be achieved.

Crompton, meanwhile, are in such sparkling form in the Championship that anything but a comfortable five-points victory over visitors Ashton is difficult to envisage.

Oldham’s batting has been abysmal in their last two matches and the visit of second-placed Milnrow will probably offer little respite.

And leaders Monton and Weaste could well be vulnerable when they take on resurgent Unsworth.

It certainly is all to play for in the promotion stakes.