Werneth claim derby honours

WERNETH are joint top of the Lake Garage CLL after their comfortable six-wickets victory over derby rivals Oldham at the Coppice yesterday.

The result was rarely in doubt as Werneth, led by their inspirational professional Pierre Joubert, controlled a match played on a wicket which always offered a little to the bowlers.

Oldham, having taken first guard, were intent on preservation rather than all-out attack, a policy which saw them reach the respectability of 168 for five from their 50 overs.

But that total looked to be 20 or 30 runs short of what was required, a point rammed home by Werneth as they reached their target with 11 balls and six wickets to spare.

Oldham had to secure a late replacement for professional Paul Jewitt, who was ruled out with an arm injury.

And, as last season’s captain Mel Whittle was not playing for Huddersfield League club Micklehurst yesterday, he was the logical choice given his strong connections with the Pollards club.

Opener Paul Thompson (31) maintained his fine form, but it was overseas amateur Nick Maree who took the main batting honours for Oldham, hitting nine fours and a six in a fine knock of 78 before he holed out to Joubert off Jeff Rogerson as he pressed the accelerator in the latter overs.

Rogerson (two for 25) and Joubert (two for 39) were the pick of seven Werneth bowlers employed by skipper Andy Walker and it was the captain who gave his side an excellent start to the home side’s reply.

Walker, promoted to opener due to the absence of John Slater (holiday) and Franco Lenhardt (studies), followed up his unbeaten half-century of the previous day with a useful knock of 33 before he was stumped by Craig Joy off Steve Briggs.

Matt Taylor had already been caught behind of Neil Inkpen for 14, but Joubert - as his is his style - was intent on controlling the Werneth innings and he did so in masterful fashion.

He saw Alan Durose (10) and Mark Dronsfield (18) sent back to the pavilion but, assisted by Thokeer Tariq (11 not out), the South African was there on 71 as Werneth secured four points with comfort.




CROMPTON’S disappointing run continued when they they lost by three runs at Milnrow.



The home side took first guard and made 138, Robert Plant hitting 30 and Crompton professional Mohammed Zaman Khan taking four for 20.

But Crompton were dismissed for 135 despite Khan’s knock of 56. Nigel Doyle took five for 55 and Steven Lane four for 33.




HAVING been bowled out for 39 the previous day, Monton and Weaste could have been forgiven for lacking confidence with the bat against Royton at the Paddock.



But they rattled up 179 for one in reply to Royton’s 178, Paul Green scoring an unbeaten 73 and Naveed Din 60.

Earlier, Monton’s stand-in professional Dinuka Hettiarachchi took five for 49 in the Royton innings dominated by paid man Luke Procter’s 73.