Royton's sights set on a timely boost

CHRIS HUTCHINSON . . . Royton looked into the possibility of re-signing the Australian

AFTER a hectic spell featuring cup ties and Twenty20 clashes, the JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League takes a breather with a single fixture weekend.

That will come as a relief to players and officials, who have been faced with, on occasions, three matches in as many days.

As well as taking its toll on bodies; work commitments and relationships will have also come under pressure during this frantic period.

One argument for the formation of the PCL, an amalgamation of the Central Lancashire and Saddleworth leagues, was to lessen the amount of cricket played.

Forget the fact that the weather - up until this week - has been so poor this season, players and officials still have to congregate at venues even it is a formality that matches are called off.

The league are currently accepting rule amendment proposals ­- the deadline is August 2 ­- and clubs will, I hope, push for a change to the Twenty20 Cup format to relieve some of the pressure on fixtures. More on that next week.

Tomorrow's Premiership action sees Royton face the mighty task of visiting leaders and Wood Cup finalists Walsden.

They go into the game without overseas amateur Harry Bongers, who has returned to Australia in order to rectify a long-standing back injury.

Problem

The batsman was hurt while playing rugby back home, and although he was confident of playing through the problem, it has not worked out for him. He had been undergoing treatment regularly over here.

Royton were hoping to bring in former player Chris Hutchinson, who is in this country on a five-break, as Bongers' replacement.

However, after club officials flicked through the league rules, that idea was a no-go.

Bongers' departure is a further blow to Royton, who lost experienced batsman Paul Winrow because of a knee injury sustained in a car accident.

With Denny Hulme's men struggling for positive results and other teams around them picking up points, the Paddock club have slipped towards the relegation places.

Saddleworth are one side who have seen their fortunes improve massively of late, and they will be confident of defeating basement boys Middleton at Well-i-Hole.

After finding Norden too good last weekend, Austerlands will look to hit back at home to Rochdale, while Glodwick take on Monton and Weaste, who have also picked up of late.

Monton overcame Crompton in their most recent clash, so the latter will be on a recovery mission against Norden.

Greenfield's obvious disappointment of Tanner Cup semi-final defeat will have to be put to one side when they visit title challengers Littleborough.

In the Championship, leaders Milnrow take on a Hollinwood team boosted by a good victory over Micklehurst, while Stayley ought to be too good for Oldham.

Jake Caudwell's seven-wicket haul for Micklehurst was ultimately in vain, but he will look to get among the Ashton batsman at Rayner Lane.

Meanwhile, Heyside host Moorside, Shaw make the journey to Werneth and Uppermill take on promotion hopefuls Friarmere.

Tomorrow's fixtures (1.30pm) ­-

Premiership: Austerlands v Rochdale; Crompton v Norden; Glodwick v Monton and Weaste; Littleborough v Greenfield; Saddleworth v Middleton; Walsden v Royton.

Championship: Ashton v Micklehurst; Heyside v Moorside; Hollinwood v Milnrow; Stayley v Oldham; Uppermill v Friarmere; Werneth v Shaw.