Werneth victory Taylor made!

Photo: Tim Bradley

THOU SHALL NOT PASS . . . Werneth's Matt Taylor, who made 89, shows a straight bat

DESPITE Ayaz Tasawwar's best efforts with the bat, Uppermill succumbed to a 15-run defeat at Werneth in the JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League Championship.

The 26-year-old professional was the last man out for a marvellous 126, in reply to the hosts' total of 201 at The Coppice.

Uppermill had slumped to 42 for five in the face of Werneth's determined bowling attack, but Tasawwar's skills managed to cajole his team-mates towards an improbable victory.

The Pakstani left-hander had added 48 with No.11 Andrew Jones, who faced 11 balls without scoring, when he was eventually dismissed. He struck 19 fours and a six.

Werneth's total owed much to the innings of opener Matt Taylor, who recorded a fine 89.

NEAREST RIVALS

In the duel between top two teams, leaders Middleton made it six wins from seven with a four-wicket defeat of nearest rivals Moorside at Towncroft.

The visitors slipped from 93 for two, taking first knock, to 165 all out.

Middleton, who beat Moorside seven days earlier in the JW Lees Wood Cup, saw pro Chris Williams compile a quickfire 62 in reply.

At 106 for six, though, it was anybody's game. Overseas amateur Ruan Havenga claimed four of the wickets to fall.

Showing cool heads in a tight situation, Thomas Rutter and Rhys Tierney steadied the Middleton ship with unbeaten knocks of 26 and 7 respectively.

Royton's batsmen enjoyed a runs-fest at Micklehurst, piling up 368 for six declared from 44.4 overs.

Pro Chirag Khurana struck 121 from 87 balls, skipper James Maurice-Scott 116 and Joe Greaves chipped in with 56.

Micklehurst were dismissed for 90, Nick Maxwell taking four 36.

Shaw are up to second place after a Tharshan Thayalan-inspired four-wicket victory at Ashton.

He bagged six for 47 to help send the hosts spiralling to 103 all out.

Friarmere, at home, climbed above Hollinwood after beating the Lime Lane club by two wickets.

Scores -

Championship: Moorside 165, Middleton 169-6 (C Williams 62, R Havenga 4-37); Hollinwood 136, Friarmere 139-8; Ashton 103 (T Thayalan 6-47), Shaw 107-6; Werneth 201 (M Taylor 89), Uppermill 186 (A Tasawwar 126); Milnrow 234-6 (M Anwar 124), Oldham 188 (M Usman 73) - revised target of 222 from 46 overs; Royton 368-6 dec (C Khurana 121, J Maurice-Scott 116, J Greaves 56), Micklehurst 90 (N Maxwell 4-36).

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