Third place a realistic target for Royton

TONS OF FUN: Liam Mason made his second century of the season against Littleborough on Sunday.

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A FEW weeks ago Royton were in danger of relegation from the Lake Garage CLL’s Premier Division.

Losing matches regularly, the side was dragged into a dogfight with neighbours Werneth and Rochdale.

But after a successful August, the side is looking up.

“We believe we can finish third,” declared skipper Denny Hulme after the Paddock side’s most recent

victory at home to Littleborough.

Any place in the top-five would qualify Royton for next year’s LCB Cup, but third would be a great achievement, given the club was in the Championship only a year ago.

Royton’s victory on Sunday owed much to the work of two home-grown batsmen Liam Mason and Khurram Hussain.

The former hit 119 – his second century of the season - and Hussain 62 as Royton piled up 252 for nine.

Boro, without the services of Chris Schofield, who has been playing for Lashings CC in recent weeks, were bowled out for 181 as the hosts picked up maximum points to take their total to 54, leaving them eight points behind third-placed Heywood and four behind Boro.

Boro have been on the slide in recent weeks, but Heywood have been in good form after a mid-season slump of their own. The race for third place promises to go right down to the wire.