Muzaffer heroics set up Werneth victory

CRICKET: ALI Muzaffer-inspired Werneth moved off the bottom of the Lake Garage CLL Championship table with a superb win at Radcliffe on Saturday.

Taking first guard, the Coppice outfit made a highly-respectable 201, professional Muzaffer top scoring with 47 and Andy Walker hitting 33.

In reply the hosts were skittled for 121, as Muzaffer picked up six for 42. Home paid man Raheel Majeed hit a defiant 40.

Oldham went back to the foot of the table after their 115-runs loss at Middleton, who batted first and amassed 207. Grant Jones led the way with 51, while George Walker scored 40 and Mudassar Butt collected five wickets for 79. Hamza Hussain chipped in with four for 47.

Oldham produced a disappointing response, being bowled out for only 92 despite Butt's knock of 32.

Middleton professional Ernest Kemm had remarkable figures of five for seven off six overs, while Mark Buckley took three for 37.

Crompton stayed unbeaten following a runfest at Glebe Street. Fellow high-fliers Ashton must have been delighted with their 240 in which deputy professional Angelo Perera smashed 98 and Ben Johnson scored 33. But Crompton reached their lofty target for the loss of only three wickets with two overs to spare.

Overseas amateur Denis Louis top scored with an unbeaten 82 and guided Crompton to victory alongside skipper Simon Wright (47 not out). Consistent professional Josh Tolley hit 54, while Andy Yates continued his good recent form with 50.

Heyside’s excellent run of form was maintained at Milnrow, who had first knock and were restricted to 177 for eight despite 82 from Max Power. Shadley Van Schalkwyk picked up four wickets for only 23 runs.

Heyside went about their response in aggressive fashion and raced to ther target for the loss of only two wickets in 28.1 overs. Ben Holt cracked three sixes and 12 fours in a whirlwind 84, while fellow opener Jon Selby hit 54 not out.

In the premier division it was a bad day for Royton, who slipped to a 54-run loss at Unsworth.

Professional Chris Williams hit 49 in Radcliffe's 176 all out, his opposite number Geeth Alwis taking four for 32 and Sam Fielding three for 52.

Williams then proved the destroyer with the ball, his seven for 27 ripping out the heart of the Royton batting in a disappointing response of 122 all out.