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Star Moonraker misses big games

George Dodds
19/ 6/2008

STAR Middleton player Scott Stanworth will be out of action for the coming weekend’s busy period.

The wicket-keeper and opening batsman has broken a finger and will sit it out as Middleton look to put their disappointing league form behind them in a bid for cup glory.

They visit Heywood tomorrow night for their second group game in the John Willie Lees/CLL Twenty20 competition knowing victory will be enough to move them into the next round.

Middleton go into the match in a strong position, courtesy of their victory over Rochdale on the same evening that Heywood lost to Norden.

Rochdale provide the opposition at Towncroft on Sunday in the first round of the JW Lees Wood Cup.

Rochdale are struggling to make an impact this season and have only six points more than their hosts.

Awaiting the winners is a trip to either Ashton or Clifton in the second round.

On Saturday, John Punchard’s men make a dash to Unsworth looking to avenge a Wayne Madsen inspired victory at Towncroft last month.

Andrew Deakin is set to continue behind the stumps in place of Scott Stanworth who broke a finger playing for Lancashire seconds against Essex.

Stanworth’s 51 in the first innings was the highest score by a Lancastrian in their innings defeat.

Other changes for the match at Unsworth, as the selectors try to shake things up, see Martin Roberts promoted to first team duty along with Rick Valentine who has 25 second-team wickets to his name this season.