Team Royton knock over Middle men

Photo: Paul Sterritt

ROYTON captain James Maurice-Scott gets a leading edge in the Wood Cup tie at Middleton.

A TERRIFIC team effort saw Royton reach the last four of the JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League's Wood Cup at the expense of Championship rivals Middleton at Towncroft.

With several key contributions coming from the bat and five of the six bowlers used taking wickets, The Paddock club sealed a 29-run victory.

Angus Carruthers struck 57, which included nine fours and a six, Chris Jewell and skipper James Maurice-Scott made 33 apiece and professional Chirag Khurana 31 in Royton's all-out total of 235. George Walker grabbed three for 37.

Middleton, who lost their unbeaten record in all competitions ruined 24 hours earlier in the T20, got off to a good start in reply.

Opener and pro Chris Williams hit 42 and No.3 Grant Jones 66 and all seemed to be going to plan for the high-flying hosts.

Royton kept chipping away, though, and only Walker (21) and Steven McGuiness (11) managed double figures thereafter.

Joining Royton in the last four - ties take place on Saturday, July 8 - are Crompton, who defied Austerlands at Glebe Street.

South African Kelly Smuts, standing in for injured paid man Shanuka Dulaj, bagged four for 22 in Crompton's innings of 151. Overseas amateur Dennis Louis made what turned out to be a vital 48.

Smuts, borrowed from Lancashire League club Todmorden, struck 64 in reply, but only Harry Woodhead (29) could offer any support as Austerlands subsided to 121 all out. Harry Dean claimed four for 27.

The crowd at Redbrook were treated to a runs-fest and a home win as Rochdale defeated Monton and Weaste.

Henry Cooper struck a fine 108 not out - he smashed an unbeaten ton on Friday - in the hosts' total of 245 for seven.

Monton were dismissed for 234, despite opener Furqan Shafiq's superb 124.

FAILED

Greenfield failed by 27 runs to overhaul Littleborough's total of 203 at Hare Hill.

Clinton Perren was dismissed two runs short of a century for the hosts, while skipper Chris Gill struck 50 in reply.

Scores -

Royton 235 (A Carruthers 57), Middleton 206 (G Jones 66, C Williams 42); Crompton 151 (D Louis 48, K Smuts 4-22), Austerlands 121 (K Smuts 64, H Dean 4-27); Rochdale 245-7 (H Cooper 108 n.o, A Dawson 42), Monton and Weaste 234 (F Shafiq 124, M Harling 4-43); Littleborough 203 (C Perren 98), Greenfield 177 (C Gill 50).