'Massive game' - Royton skipper

RYAN CARRUTHERS

THOUGHTS of whatever next season will bring can be put to the back of the mind for 48 hours at least this weekend.

The future of the JW Lees Pennine Cricket League is sure to be the talk of the dressing rooms and among spectators as eyes are fixed on tonight's latest group games in the Tom Hardman Twenty20 Cup, followed by tomorrow's Wood and Tanner Cup last eight ties.

The stand-out Wood Cup clash features two sides going great guns in the league's second tier.

Middleton, unbeaten in the Championship, take on nearest rivals Royton at Towncroft.

"It's a massive game," said Royton skipper James Maurice-Scott.

"They are going well. They are a force to be reckoned with, but we are as well.

"Everybody is available and pumped up for it.

"I suppose one could say that both teams are out to prove a point after being relegated last season.

"They are setting the standard in the Championship - it's first versus second - and it has all the hallmarks of a good battle."

Royton produced one of the team performances of the season so far when defeating holders and Premiership high-fliers Walsden in the previous round.

The match featured a fabulous 154 not out off 77 balls by Ryan Carruthers.

Maurice-Scott added: "We gained so much confidence in beating Walsden.

"I got hurt while bowling - I was hit on the shin by a ball - and Chiggy (Khurana, professional) was out for a duck, but we still won. It was absolutely phenomenal.

"AMAZING"
"Ryan's innings against Walsden was amazing. It was the best knock I've seen with my own eyes by an amateur or professional cricketer. It was that good."

Of the other quarter-final ties, beaten finalists Rochdale entertain Monton and Weaste, while Crompton will look to put one over Austerlands at Glebe Street.

Greenfield will fancy booking a semi-final berth at the expense of a Littleborough side which has been inconsistent of late.

Saddleworth face the ultimate test in the Tanner Cup as they go to top-flight leaders Norden.

Heyside will look to put a poor run of results in the Premiership behind them at home to Moorside, from the Championship.

And they will come up against a familiar face in Moorside paid man Gerrie Snyman, who made a name for himself in these parts with a string of big-hitting performances for the Little Hey Street club.

Friarmere will hope to gatecrash the last four - they visit fellow Championship side Milnrow - and Stayley will be favourites to progress at the expense of Hollinwood.

THIS weekend's fixtures -

TONIGHT - Tom Hardman Twenty20 Cup (matches start at 6.15pm), Group 'A': Heyside v Moorside; Micklehurst v Monton and Weaste; Norden v Stayley.

Group 'B': Ashton v Milnrow; Glodwick v Royton; Hollinwood v Crompton.

Group 'C': Littleborough v Werneth; Middleton v Walsden; Shaw v Saddleworth.

Group 'D': Austerlands v Oldham; Rochdale v Friarmere; Uppermill v Greenfield.

TOMORROW - Wood Cup quarter-finals (matches 1.30pm): Crompton v Austerlands; Littleborough v Greenfield; Middleton v Royton; Rochdale v Monton and Weaste. Tanner Cup quarter-finals (matches start 1.30pm): Heyside v Moorside; Milnrow v Friarmere; Norden v Saddleworth; Stayley v Hollinwood.