Semi thrills in store for Werneth and Royton

WERNETH and Royton have been kept apart in the semi-final draw for the John Willie Lees Twenty20 Competition.

The two teams were winners in Friday’s rain-delayed quarter-finals, Werneth defeating neighbours Crompton in a full-blooded local derby.

Werneth set Crompton a challenging total after posting a score of 214 for nine from their 20 overs.

But it would probably have been a far lower total had Simon Wright not dropped the Coppice club’s in-form professional Humayun Farhat when he had made 19. He went on to finish with 99.

Farhat was given solid support from John Foxhall who scored 33.

Crompton appeared on course for victory after reaching 100 for one from 11 overs before losing wickets and falling behind in their chase for runs.

They eventually finished 173 for seven, Aquib Zulfiqar making 55, Simon Wright 50 and professional Mohammed Zaman Khan 48.

While Farhat was Werneth’s hero with the bat, Royton overseas amateur Ryan Carters did likewise in the Paddock club’s 40-run victory at Littleborough.

Aussie opener Carters struck 80 from only 61 balls out of a Royton total of 141 for four. He hit 10 fours.

Carters and Tony Walsh (20) shared a 58-run stand for the opening wicket.

Boro were then restricted to 101 for six, Phil Deakin top scoring with 34 not out from 28 balls.

They were never in with a realistic chance due to some tight bowling from John Punchard, Guy Lovell and Matthew Hodson who each claimed two dismissals.

In the other quarter-finals, Heywood won by 82 runs at Unsworth while Clifton triumphed by seven wickets at Norden.

Scores: Unsworth 100, Heywood 182-5; Werneth 214-8 (Farhat 99), Crompton 173-7 (Zulfiqar 55, Si Wright 50, Zaman Khan 48); Norden 68, Clifton 69-3; Littleborough 101-6, Royton 141-4 (Carters 80).

Semi-final draw: Heywood v Werneth, Clifton v Royton. Matches to be played Friday, July 18 (6.15pm).