HEYWOOD will make a third attempt to settle their John Willie Lees Twenty20 Cup semi-final against Werneth tomorrow night (6.15pm) at the start of another big weekend for the club.

Rain for most of last Friday washed out any chance of play on the original date, leaving the match rescheduled for Sunday at 1.30pm.

But the great British weather took a hand again, with a downpour until lunchtime leaving the Heywood groundstaff, players and volunteers conducting mopping-up operations.

Their efforts looked, on the face of it, to have been successful when the sun came out in mid-afternoon. But much to the astonishment of a large gathering of Heywood supporters the match was called off at 4pm – with still at least five hours of daylight available and conditions improving by the minute.

The Central Lancashire League have now put back the final to September 12. And that would leave Heywood with another headache if they get through, with arrangements made on that date for the annual race trip of players and members.

Heywood get back to the defence of their CLL title on Saturday with a home clash against Unsworth, whom they have already beaten in league and Twenty20 action this season. Then, on Sunday, comes the big one, when Heywood go to perennial rivals Norden for a match which could have a big bearing on this season’s championship.

Defeat for the Crimble boys would not be the end of the world, for they hold a four-point lead over their second-placed neighbours. But a victory would be a major boost and provide a cushion for their title charge in the second half of the season.

A setback, however, is the absence of key paceman Will Purser, who wrecked the Norden batting in the league clash at Crimble in May. Purser is required by Minor Counties side Staffordshire for a three-day fixture. Both league games start at 1.45.

HEYWOOD will be hoping that they are celebrating victory over Unsworth on Saturday with one of their most popular annual social events. The annual quiz and curry night, again hosted by Ken Lee, starts at 8pm and consists of six sections of 10 questions plus a marathon round. Tickets are available from Gwen Edwards or behind the bar.