Aslam's century heroics in vain

WALSDEN'S Jamie Shackleton claimed two wickets against Littleborough

SADDLEWORTH just can't get over the winning line in the JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League Premiership.

Facing leaders leaders Norden in a top-versus-bottom clash at Well-i-Hole yesterday, Saddleworth went down by seven runs.

Josh Tolley (118 not out) struck his second ton in as many days as Norden totalled 217 for three.

Saddleworth professional Imran Aslam batted beautifully for 103 in reply, and when the Pakistani was dismissed 11 runs were required.

BEYOND

Unfortunately, that was beyond the hosts, for whom highly-promising 15-year-old Sam Holt added 36 to his half-century in the defeat at Crompton. See Page 32.

Austerlands did well to defend 124 against Heyside for only their third league success of the season.

The hosts were firmly on the back foot at tea, but Heyside are enduring a poor run of late and slumped to 96 all out.

Glodwick's hopes of a weekend win double were thwarted by Crompton, who chased down 184 with three wickets to spare.

Skipper Nigel Stock struck 51 for Glodwick, while paid man Akbar Rehman made a vital 73 in reply.

Walsden are right on the heels of Norden after defeating Littleborough by 114 runs at Scott Street.

Jake Hooson, with a superb 121 not out, and Umesh Karunaratne's unbeaten 81 saw the reigning champions to an impressive 278 for three.

Jamie Shackleton took two for 26 during 10, tight overs in Boro's innings.

KNOCKS

Rochdale remain in third place after key knocks from Jack Avery (55), Michael Harling (43 not out) and Ben Chapman (40) helped the Redbrook club to a four-wicket victory at home to Monton and Weaste.

Furqan Shafiq hit 47 in Monton's total of 202 for seven.

Scores -

Austerlands 124, Heyside 96; Glodwick 183 (N Stock 51), Crompton 184-7 (A Rehman 73, Hassaan Ahmed 5-39); Monton and Weaste 202-7 (F Shafiq 47), Rochdale 203-6 (J Avery 55, MR Harling 43 n.o, B Chapman 40); Walsden 278-3 (J Hooson 121 n.o, U Karunaratne 81 n.o), Littleborough 164-9 (G Cloete 64, L Willman 41 n.o); Norden 217-3 (J Tolley 118 n.o), Saddleworth 210 (I Aslam 103); Stayley v Greenfield - result not received.