Stalwart John still calling the shots

CELEBRATION TIME . . . John Punchard, pictured in his England blazer, is in good nick for Crompton

CLUTCHING a cold beer and leaning outside against the dressing room wall, John Punchard had the look of contentment after Crompton's Wood Cup semi-final win over Littleborough.

"I should go for a warm down, but I'd rather have a pint," mused the 60-year-old opening batsman.

Who could blame him. After all, he had scored 45 priceless runs in Crompton's successful run chase.

He has achieved a lot in local league cricket and he would dearly love to add a second Wood Cup to the one he won as a Middleton player in 2001.

Crompton were indebted to Punchard and captain Simon Wright (88 not out) in the last-four clash at Glebe Street.

They came together on 35 for three with overseas amateur Denis Louis and professional Akbar Rehman back in the shed, still requiring another 124 runs for victory.

After resisting Littleborough's exertions to make further inroads, the pair gradually assumed control, much to the delight of the home supporters.

Punchard did have a slice of good fortune along the way as he was bowled off a Ryan Knight no ball.

"I had a bit of luck, but everybody needs it," admitted Punchard.

"The delivery was pretty quick, but I could manage the free hits afterwards - I like them. It was a good one to miss.

"With the pro and overseas gone early, someone had to try to see it through.

"If I stayed in and Simon batted around me that was probably going to be the way to win - and it worked out."

Punchard has got an exciting four weeks ahead of him.

As well as the Wood Cup final against Rochdale at Middleton's Towncroft ground on Sunday, August 6, he has got a three-match series with Australia to look forward to.

The over-60s Ashes clash gets under way on Sunday, at the new venue of Blackpool (11am), followed by matches on July 23 at Kidderminster CC and July 29 at South Wiltshire CC, Salisbury.

* AFTER sweeping up four Royton batsmen in the other semi-final at the Paddock, Rochdale's Ollie Makin performed a similar operation at Glebe Street.

Unfortunately, it involved a brush and took place on the steps in front of the clubhouse.

With his Rochdale team-mates close by, Makin dropped a full pint of lager, with the glass smashing into a million pieces.

Moments later the spinner emerged from the clubhouse with a brush and shovel.