Cavalier Craig brings great joy to Oldham

CRICKET:

CRAIG JOY was a smash hit for Oldham as the Pollards outfit turned the form book upside down by knocking leaders Norden off the top of the Lake Garage CLL table.

Even the most staunch of Oldham supporters must have feared the worst before Saturday's match at Woodhouse Lane.

But Oldham, second from bottom, shocked Norden with a power-packed display in which the fearless Joy crashed 10 sixes and five fours in a devastating knock of 98 off a mere 46 balls.

Joy's incredible hitting had onlookers gasping with admiration. Even Norden's six-hit specialist, Hashim Malik, could scarcely believe his eyes as Joy's stunning blows soared out of the ground.

It was a shame, then, that Joy missed out on a deserved century. Going for yet another six, he holed out to Oliver Makin on the boundary edge off the bowling of Norden professional Michael Price.

Joy helped Oldham to a highly-respectable 250 all out, professional Mohammad Hanif returning to form with 45 and Paul Thompson getting his team off to a decent start with 42.

Having set Norden a stiff task, Oldham were glad to see the back of Malik for 25, but the big wicket came courtesy of Mel Whittle, Oldham's evergreen bowler beating free-scoring professional Michael Price (35) all ends up with a slower ball.

Nick Brierley (44) threatened to steer Norden to victory, but when he was caught behind by Dane Fletcher off Joy, Oldham had a firm grip on the game and they eventually dismissed Norden for 237, Hanif taking five for 80 and Whittle three for 97.


WERNETH also bounced back to form at home to Unsworth.

Skipper Andy Walker hit 33 in the hosts' 172 for nine, Unsworth's overseas amateur Jonathan Fowler taking five for 54.

And Unsworth collapsed from 96 for four to 116 all out - Chris Long hitting 57 - as Werneth collected five welcome points.

Alan Durose took five for 31 and Mark Dronsfield four for 22.


CROMPTON must have thought their fortunes were about to change when they skittled champions Monton and Weaste for 113 at Glebe Street, professional Matthew Needham taking five for 39 and skipper Carl Taylor five for 44.

But David Hamilton collected six for 23 as Crompton capitulated to 49 all out in reply.


ROYTON lost by 16 runs at home to Walsden, who batted first and were dismissed for 178.

James Rawlinson hit 31 and Karl Garland 30, while Matthew Hodson picked up three wickets for 28 runs.

Royton looked to be heading for victory thanks to professional Luke Procter's 55, but were bowled out for 162 as Chris Dewhurst (four for 39) and Martin Harlow (three for 28) chipped away at their batting.

Elsewhere, Rochdale replaced Norden at the top of the table after their six-wicket defeat of Heywood at Crimble, while Ashton collapsed from 51 for none to 66 all out in their home defeat against Middleton, Dale Highton collecting seven for 18 after earlier figures of none for 14.

Saturday's scores:

Ashton 66 (Highton 7-18, Khan 3-5), Middleton 68-0 (Khan 50 n.o.); Clifton 122-2 (Puchert 59 n.o.), Milnrow 118 (Scholefield 32, Winrow 32, Akhtar 5-24); Crompton 49 (Hamilton 6-23), Monton and Weaste 113 (Hamilton 41, Needham 5-39, Taylor 5-44); Heywood 150 (Pawson 54, Spearman 5-56), Rochdale 153-4 (Spearman 63); Littleborough 185-1 (Williams 111 n.o., Hulme 45), Radcliffe 184 (Ul-Haq 70, Deakin 4-30); Norden 237 (Brierley 44, Hanif 5-80), Oldham 250 (Joy 98, Hanif 45, Thompson 42, Price 4-58); Royton 162 (Procter 55, Dewhurst 4-39, Harlow 3-28), Walsden 178 (Rawlinson 31, K Garland 30, Hodson 3-28); Werneth 172-9 (Walker 33, Fowler 4-54), Unsworth 116 (Long 57, Durose 5-31, M Dronsfield 4-22).