Favourites are easily put to sword

Photo: Tim Bradley

THAT’S MINE . . . Monton and Weaste skipper Joshua Lenihan

ALEX Bychkov and Adam Hayes were Greenfield's star performers as they recorded their best win so far this season in the JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League.

The lads from Ladhill Lane crushed Norden, one of the favourites for the Premiership title, by 106 runs.

Bychkov struck the first blow for Greenfield. The overseas amateur notched his maiden century in the PCL, a terrific 104. The Australian included 13 fours and three sixes in lifting his side to 198 for eight from their 50 overs.

After adding a useful 30 with the bat, Hayes proceeded to do the damage with the ball, claiming five for 30, while professional James Muirhead chipped in with three wickets as Norden slumped to 87 all out.

Greenfield, in third place, are a point behind leaders Walsden, who piled up 337 for three at home to Glodwick.

Opener Jake Hooson, with 141 not out, and Umesh Karunaratne (102) put on 180 for the third wicket.

The visitors, in reply, were dismissed for 178.

Crompton, in second, returned back to their Glebe Street base from Austerlands celebrating a nine-wicket triumph.

Sachin Rana scored exactly 100 for the home side, but his efforts were in vain as Josh Tolley responded with an unbeaten 102.

Brian Lord got his Saddleworth team out of a spot of bother against lowly Monton and Weaste at Well-i-Hole.

The hosts were in big trouble at 70 for six, but a priceless 98 from the captain, plus 25 from Steven Howard, set a target of 199.

Monton and Weast got nowhere near as they crashed to 93 all out, with paid man Imran Aslam taking four for 25.

Royton were no match for Littleborough at The Paddock.

With Chris Schofield (70), Joe Smith-Butler (63 not out), Matthew Taylor (59) and Clinton Perren (53) making half-centuries, the home side conceded 271 in 50 overs.

Royton reached 177 in reply, with Chirag Khurana making 52.

Middleton's wait for a first success of the season goes on. They lost by 71 runs to Rochdale at Redbrook.

Scores ­-

Premiership: Austerlands 215 (S Rana 100), Crompton 216-1 (J Tolley 102 n.o); Greenfield 193-8 (A Bychkov 104), Norden 87 (M Price 45, A Hayes 5-30); Rochdale 186-7 (W Bosisto 61), Middleton 115 (D Highton 5-11); Littleborough 271-3 (C Schofield 70, J Smith-Butler 63, M Taylor 59, C Perren 53), Royton 177 (C Khurana 52); Saddleworth 198-8 (B Lord 98, D Collins 4-25), Monton and Weaste 93 (I Aslam 4-25); Walsden 337-3 (J Hooson 141 n.o, U Karunaratne 102), Glodwick 178 (J Shackleton 4-42).