Monton closing in on title

RAIN curtailed all but one of the matches in the Lake Garage CLL yesterday as Monton and Weaste placed one hand on the league trophy.

The Wood Cup winners are set to complete the double after beating Ashton in double quick time at Rayner Lane.

David Hamilton took three for eight and skipper Trent Scott three for 11 as Ashton were skittled for 72 after being put in to bat.

And run machine Paul Green hit 43 as Monton raced to their target without loss in less than 10 overs to open up a four-point gap over nearest pursuers Norden with only two fixtures remaining.

Every other game was abandoned following the afternoon deluge.

The local derby at the Pollards was being bossed by Oldham, who had scored 177 for two against Crompton when the rain came. Overseas amateur Nick Maree continued his fine form with 61.

John Punchard took five for 42 as Royton bowled out Clifton for 165, but the Paddock outfit never got the chance to bat.

Werneth, however, were glad to see the rain come down after Unsworth raced to 277 for seven at the Coppice thanks to a stunning unbeaten 167 from professional Wayne Madsen.

Werneth stand-in pro Sajith Fernando took five for 121.

Yesterday's scores: Ashton 72 (Hamilton 3-8, Scott 3-11), Monton and Weaste 73-0 (Green 43 n.o.); Clifton 165 (Alex Rodzoch 64, J Punchard 5-42) v Royton; Heywood 4-0, Royton 105 (Purser 6-37); Littleborough 119 (Deakin 38, Avery 4-32, Weeraratne 3-34); Middleton 91 (Assad 9-32) v Milnrow; Oldham 177-2 (Maree 61) v Crompton; Walsden v Norden 147-1 (Malik 69, Symes 53 n.o.); Werneth v Unsworth 277-7 (Madsen 167 n.o., Fernando 5-121).


WERNETH and Royton missed opportunities to climb the table on Saturday when they were beaten by Milnrow and Walsden respectively.

Werneth travelled to Milnrow, who made 215 for six thanks to deputy professional Bilal Assad's 56 and 37 from Chris Whiteman. Alan Durose took three for 79.

Werneth were skittled for only 69, Nigel Doyle collecting six for 12.

Royton restricted visitors Walsden to 170 for six, pro Luke Procter collecting five for 75.
But after rain fell and Royton were set a revised target of 136, they could manage only 93 for six. Walsden pro Rasika Priyadarshana took five for 44.

Crompton were five for none when their home match against Heywood was abandoned, while Oldham's game at Radcliffe was called off without a ball being bowled.

Saturday’s scores: Milnrow 215-6 (Assad 56, Whiteman 37, Durose 3-79), Werneth 69 (Doyle 6-12); Monton and Weaste 100-4 (Green 51, Smit 3-31), Littleborough 99 (Scott 6-56, Hamilton 4-38); Norden 79-2 (Symes 51 n.o.), Clifton 77 (Arthur 5-32, Makin 4-32); Rochdale 242 (Ayres 63, Faulkner 52, Zaffer 5-65), Ashton 85 (G Butterworth 5-16); Royton 93-6 (Priyadarshana 5-44), Walsden 170-6 (K Garland 35, Procter 5-75); Crompton 5-0 v Heywood; Radcliffe v Oldham, Unsworth v Middleton - no play.