Royton captain leads by example

Photo: Paul Sterritt

BIG SWING . . . Shaw captain Steve Whiston goes for the hook shot.

JAMES Maurice-Scott led from the front as Royton kept up their pursuit of pacesetters Middleton in the JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League Championship.

The skipper carried his bat for an unbeaten 108 as the second-placed team defeated Shaw by four wickets at Holebottom Clough yesterday.

Maurice-Scott, who faced 106 balls, hit 20 fours and a six in chasing down the home side's total of 178 all out.

It was a crucial knock from the captain as wickets tumbled around him - including four to Rakeb Mahmood.

Rakeb's brother, professional Sajid, notched his third half-century on the spin, 54, in Shaw's innings.

Friarmere made it a double for the weekend after a 75-run win over Oldham at Slack Lane.

Farat Shaw (four for 18), Ishtiaq Hussain, with three wickets for no runs, and overseas amateur Bryce Allchin (three for 18) skittled the visitors for 70.

Uppermill are going along nicely in fifth place after a comprehensive 103-run victory over Moorside at Leefields.

Spearheaded by Nathan Boote's 58, the top five batsmen all offered useful contributions in Uppermill's score of 207 for seven.

Moorside got off to a flying start in reply - they were 41 without loss - but quickly lost their way once wickets started to fall.

Overseas amateur Branden Berowsky and skipper Andrew Jones each claimed three victims.

After suffering an emphatic loss on Saturday, Hollinwood hit back with a five-wicket victory at Werneth.

The home side were dismissed for 107, out of which opener Matthew Taylor made 61.

Leaders Middleton were given a bit of a scare by Ashton at Rayner Lane.

Reduced to 109 for five, Rhys Tierney and Zain Tahir stood firm to add 82 for the sixth wicket. Tierney hit 48 and Tahir 43. Pro Chamikara Edirisinghe took four for 41.

Ashton were bowled out for 107, which included 40 from Michael Hewitt.

Opener Joe Wilson helped Milnrow to 219 for eight at home to Micklehurst, who managed 88 in reply.

Scores -

Sunday, Championship: Shaw 178 (S Mahmood 54, C Jewell 5-47), Royton 180-6 (J Maurice-Scott 108 n.o, R Mahmood 4-53); Friarmere 145 (S Mahmood 45), Oldham 70 (F Shah 4-18, I Hussain 3-0); Uppermill 207-7 (N Boote 58), Moorside 104; Werneth 107 (M Taylor 61), Hollinwood 109-5; Middleton 198-9 (C Williams 45, R Tierney 48, Z Tahir 43, C Edirisinghe 4-41), Ashton 107 (M Hewitt 40); Milnrow 219-8 (J Wilson 83, M Blomeley 4-51), Micklehurst 88 (B Smith 5-35, M Owen 4-16).