Evergreen Mel still playing a vital role

CRICKET: 

CROMPTON can look forward to top-flight cricket in next year’s Pennine Cricket League.

Saturday’s victory at Ashton ensured that the team will finish in the top two and be promoted.

Given that Crompton have been at the top of the table for most of the season, promotion is their minimum ambition. The title is the big goal.

With six games remaining, Crompton have a 12 point lead over second-placed Middleton, who have played one more fixture. Crompton need just three more wins – two with maximum points – to reach their goal.

This weekend’s fixtures to bottom-two clubs Oldham and Werneth offer a great chance to take a step to their target, even though Werneth are the only side to beat them this season.

If all goes to plan for Simon Wright and his team, they could clinch the title against their closest rivals, Heyside, at home on August 29.

One of the features of Crompton’s revival this term has been the form of 68-year-old Mel Whittle.

Back at the club where he first made his name, Whittle has been the bowling cornerstone of the team, delivering in excess of 260 overs – more than any other player in the CLL – and taking 56 wickets at an average of just over 13.

His six-wicket haul at Ashton on Saturday was pivotal in a two-wicket triumph and, in a season during which Crompton’s batsmen have been making hay, the veteran’s contribution has been no less significant.



ALL-rounder Greg Buckley will play as professional for Royton in three of their six remaining CLL matches.

With contracted paid man Geeth Alwis back in Sri Lanka after breaking a finger, the Paddock outfit must rely on deputies for the rest of their campaign. Rahul Javed was their deputy against Unsworth last weekend and is on duty again at Heywood on Saturday.

But Delph all-rounder Buckley will step into the breach for the following day’s home game against Littleborough and is available for two other matches when his Delph commitments allow.



LITTLEBOROUGH will represent the CLL in the final of the LCB Cup after beating Walsden in the semi-finals. Boro’s opponents in Blackpool on Sunday, September 6, will be Bootle, the club which beat Saddleworth and District League outfits Stayley, Uppermill and Moorside en route to the final.