Oldham in dramatic turn-around

DOWN and virtually out less than a fortnight ago, Oldham are celebrating a maximum-points victory in their opening Lake Garage CLL fixture of the season.

Oldham’s traumatic build-up to the new campaign, which almost resulted in the Pollards club withdrawing from the league, was instantly forgotten as they brushed aside Radcliffe yesterday.

And it was deputy professional J P Lee, the new paid man at Saddleworth League club Moorside who did most of the damage.

The former Werneth overseas amateur produced a dazzling spell of bowling to take eight for 49 from 20 overs – including opposite number Usman Tariq second ball – as Radcliffe were skittled out for only 118.

And cock-a-hoop Oldham knocked off the runs they needed for the loss of only three wickets, Lee scoring 20 and overseas amateur Nick Maree 29.

IF Oldham produced the story of the day, then Werneth were not far behind them.

Third from bottom last season, Werneth began the new campaign in dazzling style, hammering Milnrow by 116 runs at the Coppice.

Pierre Joubert, standing in as professional for fellow South African Roelof van der Merwe, struck a magnificent unbeaten 125 as Werneth reached the heady heights of 257 for seven.

And Milnrow were bowled out for only 141, Joubert taking three for 28, Alan Durose three for 32 and Mark Dronsfield three for 35.

CROMPTON and ROYTON began the summer with defeats.

After putting in Heywood at Crimble, Crompton’s hopes were high when they reduced their hosts and reigning league champions to 56 for four.

But a fifth-wicket stand of 82 between Bobby Cross and Will Purser loosened Crompton’s grip and the home side were relieved to reach 206 for seven at the end of their 50 overs.

Pick of the Crompton bowlers was professional Mohammed Zaman Khan (three for 57), although new skipper Glen Dawson will have been heartened by the performances of opening bowlers Aqib Zulfiqar (two for 37) and Ryan Mayes (one for 23).

On a two-paced wicket, Crompton were always struggling after the early loss of Alan Whiston for a duck.

Overseas amateur Chris Boschoff hinted at better things to come with the team’s top score of 24 as Crompton were dismissed for 120, stand-in professional Steve Cheetham taking four for 31.

JOHN Punchard made a remarkable return to Royton, but still ended up on the losing side.

The veteran all-rounder took eight for 54 as Walsden were bowled out for 184, James Rawlinson top scoring with 57 and professional Rasika Priyadarshana hitting 40.

But Royton fell 19 runs short, being bowled out for 165 as their hosts claimed maximum points.

On a day on which, for various reasons, there were eight deputy professionals in the CLL, there were also wins for Ashton, Norden, Monton and Weaste and Middleton.

Scores: Ashton 74-5 (Zaidy 43 n.o., Butterworth 3-13), Rochdale 71 (Zaidy 3-19); Clifton 70 (Arthur 6-34, Fielding 4-27), Norden 123 (Brierley 34, Purchatt 4-42, Hough 3-26); Littleborough 156 (Smit 64, Parry 4-53, Scott 3-14), Monton and Weaste 158-2 (Parry 70, Green 47n.o.); Middleton 212-8 (Skewes 99 n.o., Madsen 7-65), Unsworth 211 (Wiggans 54, Love 46, Skewes 5-58, Highton 4-51); Oldham 119-3, Radcliffe 118 (Lee 8-49); Walsden 184 (Rawlinson 57, Priyadarshana 40, Punchard 8-54), Royton 165; Werneth 257-7 (Joubert 125 n.o., Lane 4-88), Milnrow 141 (Joubert 3-28, Durose 3-32, M Dronsfield 3-35); Heywood 206 -7 (Purser 62, Cross 54, Z Khan 3-57), Crompton 120 (Cheetham 4-31).


IRFAN Zahoor top-scored with 80 and Carl Jump made 43 as Delph beat Slaithwaite by two wickets on the opening day of the Drakes Huddersfield League premiership one season.

Mike Smethurst and Aaron Lilley had earlier claimed three wickets apiece in the home side’s 230 for nine.

Delph seconds overcame Shelley (105 all out) by nine wickets.