Wright eyes same performance level

SIGHTS ON WOOD CUP VICTORY . . . Crompton captain Simon Wright

CAPTAIN Simon Wright is demanding more of the same when his Crompton side take on Rochdale in the re-arranged showdown for the JW Lees Bitter Wood Cup on Sunday.

While the all-rounder definitely does not want a repeat of the rain which curtailed the first attempt to play the final on August 6 when his charges held the advantage, a repetition of the effort which reduced Rochdale to 183 all out will do nicely.

Rain prevented Crompton from chasing down the target, which means players, spectators and officials will return to Towncroft for a new 50-over clash.

"We bowled and fielded really well on the day, probably the best we have done for a few weeks now," said Wright.

WICKET

"The wicket was a bit slow compared to what you would normally expect at Middleton, but that was no-one's fault. It was down to the weather conditions leading up to the final.

"We can take confidence from how we bowled, though, and although our results lately haven't been great, the games we've lost we could have won."

Wright is hoping that the weather - the forecast is mixed - does not lead to the prospect of the final being decided by other means.

He added: "Both sides want to win it in the right way, not by a bowl-out or the toss of a coin."

Crompton and Rochdale were due to meet last weekend, but rain prevented the players from crossing the white line at a damp Redbrook.

Wright's men gear up for Sunday's final by welcoming Stayley to Glebe Street for a Premiership fixture, while Rochdale head to Glodwick.

Leaders Walsden visit Austerlands with Norden, who are half-a-dozen points adrift in second place, hitting the road to Heyside in a repeat of last Sunday's Tanner Cup final which the hosts won comfortably.

In the Championship, Royton will look to stay on the coat tails of current pace-setters Middleton with victory at Hollinwood.

Middleton go to Oldham and third takes on fourth as Milnrow visit Uppermill.

THIS weekend's fixtures -

TOMORROW - Premiership (1pm): Austerlands v Walsden; Crompton v Stayley; Glodwick v Rochdale; Heyside v Norden; Littleborough v Monton and Weaste; Saddleworth v Greenfield.

Championship (1pm): Friarmere v Moorside; Oldham v Middleton; Royton v Hollinwood; Shaw v Micklehurst; Uppermill v Milnrow; Werneth v Ashton.

SUNDAY - JW Lees Bitter Wood Cup final: Crompton v Rochdale (1pm, at Towncroft).

A MICKLEHURST Select XI, which includes Lancashire's Arron Lilley, will host Tamworth at their Richmond Hill ground in a Twenty20 charity match in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support on Sunday (2pm).

There will also be a barbecue, bouncy castle and music on the boundary to keep young and old entertained.