Twenty20 kings are dethroned

Friday CLL

OLDHAM have ended the dominance of Norden and booked a place in the semi-finals of the John Willie Lees Twenty20 Competition.

Norden, winners of the competition for the only two seasons it has been staged, were expected to continue their winning ways at Woodhouse Lane on Friday night.

But Mel Whittle’s Oldham had other ideas, taking first guard and making an impressive 170 for nine thanks to professional Chinthaka Jayasinghe’s hard-hitting 97.

Norden’s overseas amateur Zane Arthur’s three wickets comprised a hat-trick and cost him 29 runs.

Eight and a half runs per over was always going to be a tall order for Norden, who were bowled out for 127 despite a fine knock of 56 from paid man Jean Symes.

The canny Whittle collected four wickets for only 18 runs as Oldham booked a semi-final at home to Monton and Weaste on Friday (6.15pm).

For long periods of their home quarter-final against Unsworth, Royton looked likely to join Oldham in the semi-finals.

Simon Harmer hit 51 and Unsworth’s overseas amateur Darren Love took five for 32 as Royton made 136 all out after taking first guard.

Unsworth became bogged down against some fine bowling and needed 10 runs per over from the last five, but professional Wayne Madsen’s unbeaten 59 guided them to victory and a semi-final at home to Walsden on Friday.

Other scores:

Monton and Weaste 172-3 (Scott 67, Cross 44), Milnrow 147-5 (Hall 60, Jennings 33); Walsden 216-3 (Gunaratne 115, S Barker 46n.o.), Heywood 114-6 (N Barker 3-10).