Champs in rare defeat

Photo: Picture by PAUL STERRITT.

STANDING TALL . . . Crompton professional Josh Tolley gets on his toes during his knock of 65 for Crompton against Heyside.

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CROMPTON lost only their second Lake Garage CLL Championship match of the season yesterday.

Bolton League-bound Radcliffe were their conquerors at the Racecourse, making 175 to Crompton's disappointing 87. Radcliffe's Chris Berry hit 46 and Saif Ur Rehman 44, while the latter took six for 31.

Professional Rahul Majeed supported him with four for 27 and only Denis Louis (24) and Sam Rigby (23) reached double figures for the recently crowned champions.

Heyside (140 for nine) returned to winning ways against Ashton (64) at Reyner Lane, but Werneth (119) slipped to a disappointing home defeat against Elton (153).

Steven Filkins took five for 34 and Gareth Edwards five for 71 for the visitors, while Bafana Mahlangu hit an important 52.

Norden retained the Premier Division title thanks to their six-wicket win at Royton. Tony Walsh and skipper Denny Hulme both hit 53 as Royton were bowled out for 166. Simon North took five for 43.

That total was well within reach of a powerful Norden batting line-up who surrendered only four wickets.