Praise heaped on flawless Khurana

SKIPPER James Maurice-Scott has hailed Chirag Khurana's record-breaking knock for Royton as "impeccable".

The Indian professional smashed an unbeaten 227 not out in the JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League Championship match against Friarmere at The Paddock, beating the previous best of 197 posted by Luke Procter.

"There were no loose shots, no slogging, Chiggy was just so elegant at the way he went about his business," said Maurice-Scott.

"He made sure he reached every milestone. It was impeccable.

"It was flawless. He was buzzing when he walked back in. He even kissed the Royton badge."

Khurana wasn't finished there as he claimed five Friarmere wickets to seal a facile victory.

"I told him afterwards that he was a greedy so and so," joked Maurice-Scott.

After back-to-back wins, Royton are in high spirits for tomorrow's visit of Oldham in the preliminary of the JW Lees Bitter Wood Cup.

The two sides clashed last Saturday, with Royton prevailing by 149 runs.

Shaw, with a host of new players in their ranks, have made a terrific start to the Championship campaign.

Steve Whiston's men have won all three of their games so far and tomorrow face Hollinwood at Lime Lane.

Stayley have made a decent start to life in the Premiership with victory over Saddleworth and running Walsden close.

Professional Hamza Nadeem has taken 11 wickets in his last two matches for the Millbrook men and will be keen to get stuck into Milnrow.

Werneth got off the mark for the season with a three-wicket defeat of Micklehurst in their most recent clash and will look to follow up at Moorside.

The eight clubs who qualified for the LCB Cup were given byes into the first round proper on Saturday May 27.

This weekend's fixtures -

Tomorrow, Wood Cup, premilinary round (1.30pm): Heyside v Uppermill; Milnrow v Stayley; Royton v Oldham; Hollinwood v Shaw; Middleton v Micklehurst; Moorside v Werneth; Monton and Weaste v Ashton; Austerlands v Friarmere.

DELPH continue their thus-far successful defence of their Drakes Huddersfield League Premiership title with a home fixture against Moorlands tomorrow.

Andrew Gleave's men have won all three league fixtures so far this term, while Brooklands have won two.

Woodhouses, who have won both fixtures in the Greater Manchester League Division One so far, are at home to Worsley tomorrow.

Both the above matches start at 1pm.