More woe as Clifton sink Royton

CRICKET: ROYTON’S miserable end of season run in the Lake Garage CLL’s Premier Division continued yesterday with a sickening home defeat by Clifton.

The hosts looked sure to end a series of defeats when they bowled out Clifton for 84. Matt Smith took five for 25 and Carl Taylor three for 16.

But faced with a lowly total, Royton imploded to a disastrous 66 all out. Stand-in professional Paul Horton made only six before he was bowled by former Lancashire team-mate Gareth Cross.

Joe Greaves top scored with 18, while Cross finished with seven for 25.

Crompton dealt a potentially terminal blow to Milnrow’s promotion hopes with a 62-run victory at Ladyhouse. Batting first, Crompton made 188 thanks to 58 from Denis Louis and a superb unbeaten 54 down the order from Danny Taylor.

In reply, Milnrow were bowled out for 126 as evergreen Mel Whittle took six for 56 and deputy professional Ammar Mahmood three for 25. Milnrow deputy pro Suraj Randiv hit 70.

Werneth suffered an agonising three runs defeat at home to Ashton, who were bowled out for 151 after taking first guard. Rashid Khan was Werneth’s best bowler with seven for 43.

In reply, Werneth came up three runs short of Ashton’s total for the loss of eight wickets, Rob Shaw top-scoring with 31.