Royton fail to cope with drying pitch

CRICKET: 

ROYTON were caught out on a sticky wicket as Heywood walked away with five points at the Paddock on Saturday.

Put in to bat, Royton collapsed on a drying surface. They lost a clutch of early wickets as Heywood’s overseas amateur Riley Paterson collected five for 19 in a total of 95 all out. Only professional Pieter Malan got to grips with conditions, hitting a battling 35.

An it wasn’t plain sailing for Heywood’s reply. They lost four wickets in reaching their target and needed an aggressive 38 from professional Farhaan Behardien to calm their nerves.

This area’s other three CLL clubs also lost.

Royton’s Premier Division rivals Werneth went down by 59 runs at home to Rochdale.

Oldham suffered a four-wicket loss at Ashton in the Championship, and Crompton lost by seven wickets at Unsworth.