Werneth pair make impact

Left to right, Franco Lenhardt, Brian Womersley and Matthew Taylor.

GOLF: TASMANIA is the home of one of the one world’s finest batsman in Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

But it is also the winter base for two teenagers from Werneth, who have travelled to the other side of the world to continue their cricketing education.

Coppice all-rounders Matthew Taylor and Franco Lenhardt are in the second month of a six-month stay in Tasmania, where they are turning out for Longley Cricket Club in the Huon Valley.

Their dream trip came about when Longley president Brian Womersley, Werneth’s overseas amateur 22 years ago, emailed his old friend and team-mate Don Errock.

The Werneth stalwart was asked if there were any young players who might be interested in having a season’s cricket in Tasmania and Errock recommended 18-year-old Matthew and Franco, who jumped at the chance.

Both teenagers made an impact on their debut for Longley in the club’s four-wickets defeat against Margate.

Taylor top scored with 51 and took two for 35 from 10 overs, while Lenhardt chipped in with 22 runs.

The two Werneth lads were also in the thick of the action in Sunday’s match against Blackmans Bay, Taylor taking two wickets for 65 runs and Lenhardt hitting 32.

But their efforts were in vain as Longley slipped to an 82-runs defeat.

The pair left England not long after the Lake Garage Central Lancashire League season ended and will return for the start of the new campaign in April.

Both have secured part-time jobs to fund their Tasmania experience.

Werneth skipper Andy Walker said: “Hopefully, the experience will benefit them and our team.

“It certainly did with Alan Durose when he spent a couple of years in Sydney.”

Other young players from CLL teams who are currently overseas include Middleton’s Scott Stanworth, who lives in Shaw, and Heywood first-team players Tom Hardman and Danny Pawson.

Each are based in the Melbourne area and are on six-month trips Down Under.

Scott is on his second visit to Australia, having spent 2007/8 in Perth.

The 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman is playing alongside all-rounder Hardman for Cheltenham CC in the Victoria Turf Cricket Association.

Cheltenham have played three matches in which Scott has scored 40-plus and made two knocks in the teens.

He also produced three stumpings in Cheltenham’s last victory.

Danny is also playing in the Melbourne area where he keeps in contact with his Heywood team-mate.



WERNETH CC have still to sign a professional for the 2010 CLL season.

Skipper Andy Walker said: “We have been in contact with someone, but nothing has been decided yet.”