Six-wicket Aqib back with a bang

GOTCHA: Crompton’s Mel Whittle celebrates after bowling Royton’s Tony Walsh for two. Picture by TIM BRADLEY.

CRICKET: ON paper it looked to be a 50-50 clash: the unbeaten, high-flying second-tier club with home advantage against a solid, well-balanced team from the top division.

But yesterday's JW Lees Bitter Wood Cup fixture between neighbours Crompton and Royton was acted out on grass – and Royton were far too good on the day.

The visitors deservedly reached the last eight of the competition to secure a home tie against Walsden, but it may well have been a different story had it not been for a batting recovery and the intervention of a player returning to his former club.

Royton were in some trouble at 128 for seven after taking first guard. But knocks of 27 from overseas amateur Sam Fielding, 22 by skipper Denny Hulme and 20 from Adam Good enabled them to reach the relative comfort of 203 all out.

From being somewhat jittery, Royton had assumed a position of authority and they rammed home their advantage in ruthless fashion, Crompton old boy Aqib Zulfiqar taking six for 23 from 10 overs to rip the heart out of the home team's batting.

After being a promising 35 for none, Crompton collapsed to 64 for six. There was no way back and they were eventually bowled out for 107.

Having taken first guard, Royton lost wickets at regular intervals despite a steadying knock from professional Geeth Alwis, who made 63.

Scores in the twenties from lower-order batsmen gave Royton breathing space and momentum. Initially, Crompton looked confident of chasing down their target, but Zulfiqar changed all that on a green and bouncy wicket. He took the scalps of in-form overseas amateur Denis Louis – caught behind by Hulme for a duck – Darren Graham, the Wright brothers, Dave Lee and James Allott.

The probing Good made the most significant breakthrough, though, having deputy professional David King of Northern League outfit Fleetwood caught by Carl Taylor at first slip for 17. It was a jaffa of a delivery.

King's opening partner, Andy Yates, went on to make 35, but once he went with the score on 57, the distress signals were already emanating from the Crompton camp and it was Zulfiqar who applied the coup de grace.

Alwis backed up his fine batting display with two for 21 as Royton served notice that they are genuine contenders for a trophy which, amazingly, they have yet to win.

Heyside reached the quarter-finals of the Wood Cup at the first attempt. The Championship side overcame Premier Division outfit Monton and Weaste by three wickets at Little Hey Street, making 232 for seven after Monton had been bowled out for 231.

Skipper Ryan Barnes hit a vital 83 and Scott Bloor 49 not out as Heyside reached their lofty target.

In the two other cup games which had been washed out on their original date, Rochdale beat Middleton and Heywood won at Radcliffe.

twitter: @KeithMcHughOC