Ashton fall short after pro's blitz

ASHTON professional Chami Edirisinghe took four wickets in four balls ­- but it wasn't enough to deny Crompton a place in the last eight of the Tom Hardman Twenty20 Cup.

The Sri Lankan ripped through the Glebe Street club's middle-order, dismissing Aqib Zulfiqar, Sam Rigby, Richard Pertoldi and Jimmy Cummins in a devastating spell of spin bowling.

Edirisinghe's big effort ­- five wickets for six runs ­- restricted Crompton to 132 for seven, of which overseas amateur Denis Louis was unbeaten on 53.

However, Ashton managed only 71 in reply as paid man Keegan Petersen recorded figures of four for 23 to mop up the tail.

RUNNERS-UP

Crompton were runners-up behind Glodwick in Group 'B' after the latter's 14-runs defeat of Milnrow at Warren Lane.

The hosts, with a run-a-ball 31 from pro Rehan Rafiq and Jamie Symonds' quickfire 29 from 17 deliveries, posted 144 for five.

In reply, Milnrow were limited to 130 for eight, which included 45 from Max Power.

The other game in Group 'B' saw Royton overcome Hollinwood by seven wickets.

Friarmere defeated Austerlands also by a seven-wickets margin at the Uber Street ground to pip the home side to a place in the quarter-finals.

The Group 'D' clash was reduced to 18 overs per side after rain earlier in the day, with Austerlands limited to 92. Afaq Ali held a superb catch at point to get rid of dangerman Sachin Rana.

With Ladhill Lane unfit, a toss of a coin was required to decide the match between Greenfield and Rochdale.

Greenfield called correctly which clinched top spot in the group.

Girvacques De Jager struck 90 ­- the overseas hit seven fours and seven sixes ­- as Uppermill amassed 203 for five against Oldham at Leefields.

The visitors were never at the races, collapsing to 94 all out. James Chamberlain and Nathan Boote collected four wickets apiece.

Saddleworth headed Group 'C' after a facile six-wicket triumph at Middleton.

CHASED DOWN

It was comfortable for the Well-i-Hole club, who chased down 93 for victory. Pro Imran Aslam made 53.

Run-rate decided the second qualifying place with Littleborough edging Walsden after beating the Premiership leaders by five wickets at Hare Hill.

Cephas Zhuwao was a man in a hurry against Werneth at The Coppice.

The Shaw man blasted 43 not out off just 12 balls ­- he struck three fours and four sixes ­- in reply to the home side's meagre total of 46.

Victory was secured in the third over.

Run-rate also did for Heyside, who lost to Group 'A' winners by eight wickets.

Micklehurst wrapped up their five-match T20 programme on a high with a super over success at home to Stayley.

Kenroy Williams (51), for Stayley, and Cole Briggs (66), for Micklehurst, were the main run-makers as scores finished tied on 145.

Norden claimed second place after beating Moorside on the toss of a coin.

Scores ­-

Group 'A': Stayley 145-8 (K Williams 51), Micklehurst 145-6 (C Briggs 66) ­- Micklehurst won on a super over; Moorside lost to Norden on the toss of a coin; Heyside 135-9, Monton and Weaste 136-2.

Group 'B': Crompton 132-7 (C Edirisinghe 5-6, D Louis 53 n.o), Ashton 71 (K Petersen 4-23); Glodwick 144-5 (R Rafiq 31 n.o), Milnrow 130-8 (M Power 45); Hollinwood 83, Royton 85-3

Group 'C': Walsden 150-5 (J Rawlinson 36, U Karunaratne 35), Littleborough 153-5 (S Serasinghe 59 n.o, C Perren 44); Middleton 92-7 (D Poole 3-20); Saddleworth 95-4 (I Aslam 53); Werneth 46 (JJ Strydom 3-5, R Doherty 3-7, D Fullalove 3-11), Shaw 52-0 (C Zhuwao 43 n.o).

Group 'D': Greenfield beat Rochdale on the toss of a coin; Uppermill 203-5 (G De Jager 90, M Bird 37, J Baron 35), Oldham 94 (J Chamerlain 4-22, N Boote 4-11); Austerlands 92, Friarmere 94-3.