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About turn for local clubs

19/ 7/2008

HAD the weather been kind last weekend, CLL clubs would probably have learned all they needed to know about today’s opponents, as the fixtures from last weekend are reversed.

Only problem is that several clubs were left high and dry due to waterlogged pitches.

Norden were one of the teams to miss out on a game due to the Ashton ground being unfit for play on the day, but at least The Stags had the consolation of knowing in the evening that arch rivals Radcliffe had been beaten at The Racecourse by Monton and Weaste, although Crompton did get a game in and leapfrog to the the top of the table.

So, it’s Ashton at Woodhouse Lane today, an Ashton side struggling at the bottom of the table after again failing to gel.

Ollie Makin, who was unavailable last weekend, returns to the Norden line-up which also features Gareth Fleming.

Milnrow also missed out last weekend. They go to Unsworth today still aiming to fulfil the promise in what looks the strongest Milnrow team for some time, at least on paper.

Unfortunately, they will come up against home professional Wayne Madsen who now seems to be in full flow with the bat again after a phenomenal first term last summer.

Rochdale go down the road to face Heywood with, at this stage, little more than pride to play for this season.

Littleborough did play last Saturday when they went down at home to Oldham. Don’t worry lads, it could be a nice day out at The Pollards, but take the woolly jumpers just in case.

The quarter-finals of the John Willie Lees Wood Cup were at last sorted out this week, albeit in fits and starts.

Littleborough bowed out to Heywood at Crimble on Sunday.

The end came for Werneth at The Coppice on Monday night.

Monton and Weaste had scored 165, and Werneth were 48 for three in reply when play started on Monday.

Werneth then crashed to 121 for nine and were deemed all out due to Franco Lenhardt being unavailable.

Middleton lasted until Tuesday night when they finally bit the dust at Ashton, albeit in rather unfortunate circumstances.

They went into Monday evening on 54 for one with deputy professional Pasan Wanasinghe looking good on 14.

They also went into Monday night without Wanasinghe. According to Middleton, Wanasinghe had been told he couldn’t play by his club Barrow.

The Moonrakers were also without wicket-keeper Andrew Deakin, but they still ran up a creditable total of 155.

When play resumed on Tuesday Ashton had two players missing due to other commitments.

There were only three overs left when Ashton crept home thanks to a match-winning knock from professional Ian Daniel.

Walsden were the last to go out in this round.

Crompton had scored 199, and when Walsden lost their seventh wicket on 143 they were effectively all out due to having only eight batsmen available.

The semi-finals will be played tomorrow, start 1.30pm, Heywood entertain Crompton, while Monton and Weaste play host to Ashton.

Today’s league games (start 1.45pm) are: Crompton v Middleton, Heywood v Rochdale, Milnrow v Unsworth, Monton and Weaste v Radcliffe, Norden v Ashton, Oldham v Littleborough, Royton v Clifton, Werneth v Walsden.