Wright's last-four flourish so timely

Photo: Tim Bradley

THAT'S OUT . . . Saddleworth opener Danny Hesford is trapped lbw by Walsden bowler Stevie Barker.

CROMPTON wrecked what would have been a perfect weekend for Greenfield by clinching a place in the Pennine Cricket League's Tanner Cup final.

The Glebe Street club recorded a five-wicket triumph after surviving a big early-innings wobble at Ladhill Lane.

After Greenfield collapsed to 109 all out, victory looked a formality for Simon Wright's men.

However, a fine opening spell by Adam Robinson saw Crompton slip to nine for three, at which stage it was game on.

Wright, though, put his side back in the ascendancy by going on the attack.

He launched into the Greenfield bowlers with a rapid 56 and aided by professional Keegan Petersen's more conservative 36 not out, Crompton eased home in the end with plenty of time to spare.

They will face Ashton in the final on August 14, after the Rayner Lane side dashed Werneth's hopes in a low-scoring contest.

Werneth seemed poised to claim their place in the final after reducing the hosts to 94 all out. Paid man Azam Hussain and Niaz Khan bagged three wickets apiece.

But Ashton hit back with the ball, skittling Werneth for just 55, of which Ali Muzaffar scored 28. Bradley Woolley took four for 26, while pro Chamikara Edirisinghe's three wickets for three runs came off a miserly 10 overs!

The John Willie Lees Wood Cup final will feature double-seeking Walsden and Rochdale, on August 7.

Walsden dug themselves out of hole to defeat Saddleworth by two wickets.

Chasing 104 for victory, the Premiership high-fliers slumped 49 for six as Pakistan duo, overseas amateur Nauman Akram and pro Imran Aslam, got down to work.

But an unbeaten 33 from number eight Joe Gale saw Walsden home. Akram (four for 27) and Aslam (four for 35) shared the wickets to fall.

Rochdale edged Littleborough by one wicket in a tense encounter at Redbrook.

Last pair James O'Neill and Mo Bux added the six runs required to overhaul the visitors' total of 144 for eight.

Scores ­-

Wood Cup semi-finals: Saddleworth 103, Walsden 105-8 (N Akram 4-27, I Aslam 4-35); Littleborough 144-8 (M Taylor 36), Rochdale 146-9 (M Harling 46).

Tanner Cup semi-finals: Greenfield 109 (R Pertoldi 3-16), Crompton 112-5 (Si Wright 56, K Petersen 36 n.o); Ashton 94, Werneth 55 (B Woolley 4-26).