McDonnell ton in vain

OLDHAM captain Chris McDonnell led from the front with a terrific unbeaten century at Middleton.

But his three-figure knock was to no avail as the Pollards outfit’s disappointing start to the Lake Garage CLL season continued with a 63-run defeat.

Oldham simply conceded too many runs to have a realistic hope of victory.

Stand-in professional Michael Smith, Bacup’s South African paid man in the Lancashire League, made a classy 90 as Middleton raced to 270 for eight from their 50 overs.

toothless

Steve Davey chipped in with a valuable 38, while George Walker hit 29 and Richard Fitton 26 as Oldham’s rather toothless bowling attack was put to the sword.

Admittedly, they were without the promising Craig Joy, who was playing for his university team, but all of the bowlers got some tap and even the reliable Mel Whittle went for more than four an over as the Towncroft batsmen made the most of an excellent batting wicket.

Professional Hanif Mohammed picked up five wickets for Oldham, but proved expensive, conceding 97 runs from his 18 overs.

If Oldham were to have any chance of chasing down Middleton’s score, they needed a good start, but that went out of the window when McDonnell hit leg spinner Dale Highton back down the pitch and the bowler flicked the ball on to the wicket, leaving Paul Thompson stranded.

There are few worse ways to get out and although McDonnell shrugged off the loss with some crisp shots in a half-century off 75 balls, Oldham’s overseas amateur Keelan Gossayn’s timing deserted him and the visitors dropped way behind the run rate.

Gossayn was finally out for 19, trying to charge Highton and edging to Grant Jones at gully, and when Abid Fasil chipped Highton to Danny Core at extra cover, Oldham were 92 for three and needing more than nine runs per over.

Despite a couple of lusty blows over long-on in a quickfire 27, pro Hanif was unable to turn the match on its head and the only issues to be resolved were McDonnell’s quest for a century and Oldham’s bid for a batting point.

Both were achieved, McDonnell’s 100 coming up in the penultimate over and containing three sixes and 12 fours.

And another McDonnell six in the final over sealed the batting point, Saeed Wasif (26 not out) providing valuable support in a seventh-wicket stand of 54 as Oldham finished on 207 for six.