By Josh! Crompton blown away by Gale

Umpire Craig Ramadhin looks on as Heyside skipper Ryan Barnes strives for a wicket against Austerlands in the Wood Cup

EARLY-season pacesetters Crompton and Littleborough slipped to their first defeats of the season in the Premiership section of the JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League.

The former suffered a five-wicket reverse at the hands of a Josh Gales-inspired Walsden.

Dismissed for 169 ­- Josh Tolley top-scored with 70 ­- Gales took four of the wickets to fall for 49 runs, before scoring an unbeaten 40 in the successful run chase.

Rochdale defeated Littleborough by three wickets at Hare Hill.

South African William Bosisto was Dale's man man. He took five for 30 as the hosts were skittled for 164 and scored a vital 93.

Walsden are the new leaders, with Crompton in second, while Greenfield are up to third place after comfortably sweeping aside Monton and Weaste by 97 runs at Ladhill Lane.

Adam Robinson, with an important 49 not out, lifted the home side up to 220, before Glyn Partington weighed in with four for 16 to clinch a comfortable victory.

BUILT

Glodwick built on their superb victory over Formby in the LCB Cup with a 22-run defeat of Royton at Warren Lane.

Paid man Rehan Rafiq, with 58, and captain Franco Lenhardt, who bagged four for 71, were the home side's star performers.

Saddleworth enjoyed an 80-run success over Austerlands at the Uber Street ground, while Norden hit back with the ball to defeat Middleton by 25 runs.

In the PCL Championship, Richmond Hill hosted a runs-fest.

Visitors Oldham must have thought they were on course for victory after piling up an impressive 295 against Micklehurst.

Overseas amateur Mario Boyce notched a terrific 98 and Nadeem Ashraf 73. Lewis Daniel took five wickets and Jake Caudwell four.

Oldham's effort was in vain, though, as Micklehurst crossed the finishing line with an over to spare in a thoroughly entertaining encounter.

Skipper Michael Blomeley was the spearhead with a superb 101, while Caudwell was unbeaten on 90 from 80 deliveries.

It's as you were at the top of the table.

Leaders Heyside, including 41 from overseas amateur and opening batsman Jon-Ross Campbell followed by Scott Bloor's figures of four for 46, defeated Friarmere by 28 runs at Little Hey Street.

SUCCESS

Stayley, in second place, had former captain Steve Bird (48) among the runs as they secured a 74-runs success over Uppermill, who made 143 in reply to 217.

Captain Kane Fullalove scored an unbeaten 66 in Shaw's match-winning total of 203 against Hollinwood, who crashed to 83 all out in reply.

Milnrow are chasing top two teams hard.

In their latest clash, 'Row defeated Moorside by six wickets, despite a fine 80 by Jack Gartside and Grant Hodnett's 57.

Pro Rudi Second, with an excellent 101 not out, was the star man in reply.

Chamikara Edirisinghe took four wickets for one run as Ashton overcame Werneth, who slumped to 72 all out.

Scores ­-

Premiership: Saddleworth 166, Austerlands 86; Crompton 169 (J Tolley 70, J Gale 4-49), Walsden 170-5 (J Gale 40 n.o); Glodwick 161 (R Rafiq 58), Royton 139 (F Lenhardt 4-71); Greenfield 220 (A Robinson 49 n.o, B Chapman 5-57), Monton and Weaste 123 (C Jonker 59, G Partington 4-16); Littleborough 164 (M Taylor 60, M Burns 46, W Bosisto 5-30) Rochdale 167-7 (W Bosisto 93); Norden 176-7, Middleton 151.

Championship: Oldham 295 (M Boyce 98, N Ashraf 73, T Tufail 46), Micklehurst 296-7 (M Blomeley 101, J Caudwell 90 n.o); Heyside 167 (JR Campbell 41, I Hussain 5-42), Friarmere 149 (M Khan 49, S Bloor 4-46); Stayley 217 (S Bird 48), Uppermill 143 (K Williams 4-26); Shaw 203 (K Fullalove 66 n.o), Hollinwood 83; Moorside 204 (J Gartside 80, G Hodnett 57); Milnrow 205-4 (R Second 101 n.o); Werneth 72 (Chamikara Edirisinghe 4-1), Ashton 74-4.

John Willies Lees Wood Cup, round one: Moorside 123 (W Munir 4-43), Friarmere 109 (R Harrington 4-16; Middleton 109, Littleborough 113-1 (M Taylor 59, C Perren 40); Norden 229-8 (M Price 80, J Lenihan 4-37), Monton and Weaste 171; Milnrow 134 (M Harling 4-23), Rochdale 138-3 (J Avery 43); Glodwick 145 (M Bling 50, I Aslam 4-16), Saddleworth 146-6 (D Shadford 43); Royton 138 (J Shackleton 4-19), Walsden 144-4 (J Gale 66, J Rawlinson 41). No results received: Greenfield v Uppermill; Heyside v Austerlands.

WOOD Cup round-up in Thursday's Pavilion End.