Horton out to break Royton pro hoodoo

Paul Horton

CRICKET: 

ROYTON have turned to former Lancashire opening batsman Paul Horton to fill the gap left by the exit of professional Geeth Alwis

Horton (32) made his first-class debut in 2003 and scored more than 9,500 runs at an average of 38 in the County Championship, with 21 centuries and 51 fifties.

Now a free agent, he has agreed to be Royton’s deputy professional until the end of the season. The vacancy arose when Alwis, who broke a finger in Royton’s Wood Cup final defeat, returned to Sri Lanka.

Royton have used several deputies since he left, each suffering an apparently cursed existence.

Rahul Javed came on the back of two recent centuries in the London area, but made only one run in two innings. Delph’s Greg Buckley was approached for several games, but his appearances were curtailed by other commitments and his one game for Royton saw him score only seven runs.

Horton hasn’t been immune either: against Norden on Sunday he made only five before being bowled.

Player and team will be hoping for much better results at home to Clifton on Sunday and in the final game of the season at Walsden next week.