Wright welcomes home test

ALL SET . . . conducting the semi-final draws at Werneth Cricket Club are (left to right): Steve Bryan (umpires' appointment secretary), Dean Redfearn (JW Lees, sponsor), Nigel Tench (Pennine Cricket League chairman), Trevor Harrison (PCL secretary), John Houlder ((PCL president) and Mike Ward (PCL treasurer).

CROMPTON and Royton were kept apart in last night's draw for the semi-finals of the JW Lees Bitter Wood Cup.

The Pennine Cricket League rivals were both handed home games, with Crompton facing Littleborough and Royton entertaining Rochdale.

"They were all going to be difficult ties whoever we got, but we got a home draw so we've got to be happy with that," said Crompton skipper Simon Wright.

DEPUTY

"It looks like they will have a deputy pro for the day as Ryan Burl is with Zimbabwe, but if we play to our best, then who knows."

Royton take on last year's beaten finalists Rochdale, and Paddock chairman Tony Spence said: "We're playing well, so it should be a good day with a bumper crowd in the ground.

"It would certainly be nice to play Crompton in the final."

The draw was also made for the Tanner Cup, which saw Norden bag home advantage against Stayley and Friarmere welcome Heyside.

Semi-final draws -

Wood Cup: Crompton v Littleborough; Royton v Rochdale. Tanner Cup: Norden v Stayley; Friarmere v Heyside. Burton Cup (second XI): Glodwick v Norden; Middleton v Greenfield. Moore cup (second XI): Oldham v Saddleworth; Heyside v Littleborough.

Ties take place on Saturday, July 8.