Needham makes derby difference

NOT QUITE: A close escape for Royton’s Simon Brierley off Werneth’s Alan Durose.

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CLL CRICKET:

IT was double derby time in the Central Lancashire League, and once it became apparent the weather wouldn’t intervene, the eagerly-anticipated action didn’t disappoint.

Crompton, hosting Oldham, were dismissed for 202, Steven Wright making 84 runs. Mel Whittle was by far the visitors’ most dangerous bowler, taking six for 79.

Oldham’s Craig Joy led the resistance with 50 not out, but Crompton pro Matthew Needham claimed six for 70 as their rivals were all out for 198.

In the other local battle for bragging rights, Werneth narrowly outscored Royton.

Hosts Werneth took first guard and Alan Durose’s 62 helped put them on course.

Matthew Taylor contributed 40 as they ended on 202 for eight. Ryan Mayes claimed six for 59.

Royton pro Luke Procter took the game by the scruff of the neck and made 114, but Mark Dronsfield claimed four for 21 as the visitors finished on 200-8.

The previous day’s action saw Oldham bat first at home to Ashton. Pro Mohammad Hanif put 34 on the board before Oldham were dismissed for 154.

Visiting skipper Zarfar Zaman did most of the damage with a return of four for 46.

Despite Sanjay Kadodia making 30, Ashton never looked like meeting their target and were all out for 110.

Whittle produced some fine bowling to claim six for 38 for Oldham.

It was a bad day at the office for Crompton when they travelled to Radcliffe.

They always faced an uphill struggle after Chris Berry’s 66 helped the hosts make 226 for seven. Skipper Carl Taylor claimed three for 38.

Aqib Zulfiqar did his best to reduce the deficit for Crompton by making 65, but Sadar Shah had other ideas as he took five for 53 and the visitors were 147 all out.

Royton were ripped to shreds by Unsworth’s overseas amateur Jonathan Fowler, who took seven for 33 as they were dismissed for 137.

Jon Wiggans’ undefeated 57 put Unsworth on their way to a final score of 138 for five.

Royton’s Procter made 63 and also claimed four wickets for 53.

Pro Darren Shadford scored 45 and Durose hit 44 before Werneth were all out for 197, partly thanks to Sri Lankan pro Duminda Perera’s five for 40 return.

Walsden were 58 for three, chasing a reduced target of 165 from 39 overs, when the rain came down. The match was drawn.


Results:

Saturday: Heywood 176-8, Milnrow 178-8 (Scholfield 40); Littleborough 222-4, Monton and Weaste 25 (match abandoned); Middleton 83 all out, Norden 84-1 (Price 57 not out); Oldham 154 all out (Hanif 34), Ashton 110 all out; Radcliffe 226-7 (Berry 66), Crompton 147 all out; Rochdale 122 all out, Clifton 123-6 (Purchet 53 not out); Royton 137 all out, Unsworth 138-5 (Wiggans 57 not out); Werneth 197 all out (Shadford 45), Walsden 58-3 (match abandoned).

Sunday: Radcliffe 223-7 (Muntaza 90), Ashton 168 all out; Clifton 165 all out (Lord 37), Walsden 142 all out; Crompton 202 all out (Wright 84), Oldham 198 all out; Littleborough 198-8 (Perren 111), Middleton 194-9; Rochdale 312-8 (Spearman 115), Milnrow 160 all out; Norden 286-1 (Price 151 not out), Monton and Weaste 146 all out; Unsworth 168 all out, Heywood 172-1 (Tariq 64 not out); Royton 200-8, Werneth 202-8 (Durose 62).