Khurana excels for title hopefuls

Chirag Khurana

ROYTON kept up their pursuit of Championship leaders Middleton with a straightforward six-wicket defeat of Moorside in the JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League.

Indian professional Chirag Khurana took five for 26 as the hosts were dismissed for 131 and followed up with 65 as victory was achieved in the 32nd over.

Middleton are seven points clear at the top of the table after overcoming Shaw by 31 runs at Towncroft.

The visitors were going along nicely on 126 for two after Jameel Stuart (76) and Richard Keaveney (46) had put on 117 for the third wicket, before suffering a dramatic collapse.

Hollinwood defeated Oldham by 50 runs at Lime Lane after they posted 203 for three, while Friarmere overseas amateur Bryce Allchin claimed four for 22 in his side's 18-run success over Ashton, for whom Chamikara Edirisinghe compiled 56 out of 130.

Paid man Matthew Taylor (56) and Ali Muzaffar (50) were the only two players to reach double figures as Werneth made 131 for nine against Milnrow, in a game of 38 overs per side.

Milnrow crossed the winning line with almost 10 overs to spare, with Mohammad Saeed Anwar scoring an unbeaten 59.

In the Premiership, Greenfield are up to fourth after a nervy two-wicket defeat of Littleborough at Ladhill Lane.

Andrew Cadd claimed five for 25, while Brad Woolley removed dangerous pro Ryan Burl for only four in a total of 123 all out.

AMASSED
Michael Ashworth, with 16 not out batting at No.8, saw Greenfield home.

Umesh Karunaratne scored a superb 113 not out and Josh Gale 78 as pacesetters Walsden amassed 252 for four from their 45 overs at home to Saddleworth.

Karunaratne's effort came off just 69 balls and included seven fours and eight sixes.

Saddleworth were dismissed for 159 in reply. Pro Imran Aslam struck 81 and Stevie Barker claimed four for 23.

Norden, in second place, despatched Glodwick by eight wickets after being set 110 to win. Opener Josh Tolley notched an unbeaten 54 for the victorious home side.

Paid man Bilal Khiljee's 80 was the mainstay of Heyside's 133 at Monton and Weaste, for whom Jake Sandham recorded excellent figures of six for 33.

Heyside fought back when it was their turn to bowl, taking half-a-dozen Monton wickets, but it was too little to claim a Tanner Cup final eve victory.

Scores:

Premiership: Littleborough 123 (A Cadd 5-25), Greenfield 124-8 (R Burl 5-23); Walsden 252-4 (U Karunaratne 113 n.o, Josh Gale 78), Saddleworth 159 (I Aslam 81, S Barker 4-23); Glodwick 109-8 (H Malik 4-46), Norden 110-2 (J Tolley 54 n.o); Heyside 133 (B Khiljee 80, J Sandham 6-33), Monton and Weaste 134-6. No play - Rochdale v Crompton; Stayley v Austerlands.

Championship: Moorside 131 (C Khurana 5-26), Royton 137-4 (C Khurana 65); Middleton 192 (G Jones 40, M Whittle 4-55), Shaw 161 (J Stuart 76, R Keaveney 46, S McGuiness 4-21); Hollinwood 203-3, Oldham 153; Friarmere 148 (S Mahmood 35, C Edirisinghe 4-32), Ashton 130 (Chamikara Edirisinghe 56, B Allchin 4-22); Werneth 131-9 (Matthew Taylor 56, Ali Muzaffar 50), Milnrow 132-1 (M Saeed Anwar 59 n.o). Micklehurst v Uppermill - result not received.