Top honours hinge on final-day clashes

BIG EFFORT . . . Jack Boyle, bowling for Saddleworth

THE destination of both the Premiership and Championship titles in the JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League is going down to the wire.

While Walsden and Saddleworth are vying for top-flight honours, Heyside, Stayley and Milnrow are in a three-way fight for the second-tier crown.

'Match-day 22' ­- the final round of league games ­- take place on Saturday.

After Saturday's complete wash-out, focus was on yesterday's fixtures.

Premiership leaders Walsden notched a four-wicket victory over visitors Rochdale, who were dismissed for 134.

CHALLENGERS

On the day when professional Imran Aslam signed a new deal stay at Well-i-Hole for another season, nearest challengers Saddleworth defeated Royton by two wickets.

The result condemned The Paddock club to relegation, but they pushed their hosts all the way.

Set 119 for victory in 37 overs, in a nervy finish Saddleworth reached their target with eight wickets down and seven balls to spare.

In a low-scoring game at Warren Lane, Glodwick, bowled out for 160, defeated Greenfield by 20 runs.

Littleborough had no trouble in sweeping aside basement boys Middleton at Hare Hill.

Chasing a modest 99 for victory in 38 overs, Boro lost Matthew Taylor without a run on the board.

However, second-wicket pair Chris Schofield (68 not out from 56 balls) and Clinton Perren (28 not out) steered the home side across the line without further mishap in 19 overs.

The top three teams in the Championship were all left kicking their heels as Saturday's heavy rain continued to take its toll 24 hours later.

It ruined what could have been a title clincher at Little Hey Street, where leaders Heysid were due to host third-placed Milnrow.

Rain also cost Stayley their fixture against Moorside at Millbrook.

The games that did go ahead, Ashton scraped home by two wickets at home to Friarmere, who crashed to 63 all out.

The paid men had a good day. Ashton's Chamikara Edirisinghe took four and scored a vital 22 not out, while opposite number Adil Mustafa bagged four for 27.

James Baron made 90, which included eight fours and six sixes, and Nathan Boote was unbeaten on 46 as Uppermill blasted 221 for five in a 30-over thrash against Shaw.

RESTRICTED

The visitors were restricted to 167 for eight in reply.

Meanwhile, Oldham defeated Werneth by five wickets at The Coppice.

Scores ­-

Premiership: Rochdale 134, Walsden 138-6 (U Karunaratnhe 65 n.o); Royton 118, Saddleworth 119-8; Glodwick 160, Greenfield 140; Middleton 98-9; Littleborough 104-1 (C Schofield 68 n.o); Austerlands v Norden and Crompton v Monton and Weaste ­- no play, unfit grounds.

Championship: Friarmere 63 (C Edirisinghe 4-12), Ashton 64-8 (Ali Sartaj 4-20; A Mustafa 4-27; Uppermill 221-5 (J Baron 90, N Boote 46 n.o; D Fullalove 4-58), Shaw 167-8; Werneth 138-6, Oldham 141-5; Heyside v Milnrow, Hollinwood v Micklehurst and Stayley v Moorside ­- no play, unfit grounds.

ENGLAND missed the chance for a series whitewash as Pakistan won the fifth one-day international by four wickets in Cardiff.

The tourists were set 303 to win.