Muirhead's century heroics to no avail

Photo: Paul Sterritt

SADDLEWORTH captain Brian Lord goes on the attack against Moorside in the Wood Cup.

JAMES Muirhead crashed his maiden century for Greenfield ­- but the Australian's big effort was in vain as Walsden continued their domination of the JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League Premiership.

The professional struck an unbeaten 130 off only 110 deliveries as the Ladhill Lane outfit amassed 202 for six in a match reduced to 40 overs per side. He blasted 13 fours and half-a-dozen sixes in an excellent display of batting.

Walsden made short work of the target, though.

James Rawlinson stuck 91 and Josh Gale 88 not out ­- the opening pair added 176 ­- as the leaders coasted home with nine wickets and more than eight overs to spare.

Rehan Rafiq's superb 107 not out saw Glodwick defeat Saddleworth at Warren Lane.

The hosts were seemingly up against it after being reduced to 134 for eight, chasing a revised target of 191.

But Rafiq defied the Saddleworth attack ­- overseas amateur Nauman Akram took five for 87 ­- to guide Glodwick to an inprobable victory.

The visitors had earlier compiled 194.

It was William Bosisto's day as Rochdale increased Norden's pain.

The Australian pro recorded amazing figures of four wickets for five runs in 7.1 overs and scored an unbeaten 50 in a comprehensive seven-wicket triumph.

Norden are third bottom, one place above Monton and Weaste, who proved too good for Royton at Quaker Bridge.

Paid man Chrisstian Jonker (59) and Ben Chapman (42) were the main run-makers in the hosts' total of 246 for nine.

Ryan Carruthers made 64 in reply as Royton managed 203.

Austerlands built on their superb victory over Littleborough by putting winless Middleton firmly in their place.

Indian pro Sachin Rana took seven Boro wickets last week and added four more on Saturday as the basement boys collapsed to 63 all out. Extras, featuring 14 wides, was the top score with 16.

Overseas amateur CJ Ferreira compiled 40 in reply as Austerlands coasted home for the loss of three wickets.

Boro got back on track after last week's disappointment by inflicting an eight-wicket defeat on Crompton at Hare Hill.

The visitors made a decent enough start ­- Simon Wright's side were 47 for one ­- only to fall away to 123 all out. Sachithra Serasinghe claimed four for 11.

Opener Clinton Perren, with an unbeaten 68, steered Boro home.

Scores ­-

Premiership: Crompton 123 (S Serasinghe 4-11), Littleborough 125-2 (C Perren 68 n.o); Middleton 63 (S Rana 4-27), Austerlands 64-1 (CJ Ferreira 40); Monton and Weaste 246-9 (C Jonker 59, B Chapman 42, C Khurana 4-56), Royton 203 (R Carruthers 64, J Lenihan 4-41); Norden 86 (W Bosisto 4-5), Rochdale 87-3 (W Bosisto 50 n.o), Greenfield 202-6 (J Muirhead 130 n.o), Walsden 204-1 (J Rawlinson 91, Josh Gale 88); Saddleworth 194 (D Shadford 47, C Longley 4-43), Glodwick 194-8 (R Rafiq 107 n.o) ­- revised target of 191.