Lake Garage CLL: Bad weather is the only winner

IT’S as you were at the top of the Lake Garage CLL table after rain throughout yesterday’s fixtures had the final say.

All of the eight games were abandoned as draws despite strenuous attempts to get them played.

Second-placed OLDHAM’S vital fixture at home to Monton and Weaste was reduced to 33 overs per side, but came to an end with the visitors on 40 for two off 15 overs.

Leaders Heywood, six points ahead of Oldham, were 65 for three against Unsworth at Crimble when the weather had the final say.

Crompton still have an outside chance of title glory, even though they trail Heywood by eight points with only three sets of fixtures remaining.

Their game at Norden was called off after only 13 overs, so the teams received two points each and remain in joint third place.

Simon Wright won the toss for Crompton and elected to bat first, but the early loss of opener Darren Graham, caught at first slip by Hashim Malik off Zane Arthur for a duck, gave them an early shock.

The players left the field for rain with Crompton on four for one after six overs and although they did get back on again during a brief break in the weather, the rain became too persistent once again and the match was abandoned as a draw with Crompton on 39 for one.

Glenn Rigby (18) and Steven Wright (15) were the not out batsmen.

WERNETH’S game at Rochdale was the shortest of the day, the home side making four without loss when the rain set in.

And ROYTON did not play much longer. They were 13 for none at home to Milnrow when the umpires abandoned the game.

The longest match of the day was at Clifton where play started on time and the home side made 156 for nine from their 50 overs against Walsden, Aqeel Mukhtar hitting 50, professional Adil Nisar 44 and visiting professional Janaka Gunaratne taking four for 44.

In reply, Walsden looked to heading for victory, but rain and bad light scuppered their hopes and the game ended with the visitors on 142 for five. James Rawlinson scored 63 and overseas amateur Matt Thompson 43.

Other scores: Ashton 8-1 v Middleton; Littleborough 15-1 v Radcliffe.