Oldham find new form

MEL’S THE MAN: Oldham bowler Mel Whittle, who took six wckets, celebrates the dismissal of Radcliffe batsman Bas Muntaza. PICTURE by CHRIS SUNDERLAND.

CRICKET: OLDHAM returned to winning ways in the Lake Garage CLL with a fine four-wicket victory over Radcliffe at the Pollards.

The visitors appeared to hold the upper hand after batting first and making 217 for eight. Anwar ul-Haq scored 58 and Kaisar Malik an unbeaten 51, while Mel Whittle took six for 93 in another marathon spell.

But Oldham reached their target for the loss of four wickets, Abid Fasil hitting 46 and professional Mohammad Hanif 40.

Werneth looked sure to register their third successive victory after rattling up 285 for four at Clifton, Alan Durose scoring 116 and professional Darren Shadford 77.

Despite Durose's five for 145 and Mark Dronsfield's three for 71, Clifton amassed 287 for eight as Andy Griffiths (100), paid man Hendro Puchert (43) and Alex Rodzoch (41) made inroads into the target.

Crompton's woes continued at fellow strugglers Ashton as they were dismissed for 137, Shazil Chittalikkal taking four for 44 and Zaffer Zaman three for 25.

And Ashton knocked off the runs for the loss of two wickets thanks to the efforts of Mohammed Naveed (76) and Imran Jamiel (56 not out).

Scores: Ashton 141-2 (Naveed 76, Jamiel 56 n.o.), Crompton 137 (Whiston 30, Chittalikkal 4-44, Zaman 3-25); Clifton 287-8 (Griffiths 100, Puchert 43, Alex Rodzoch 41, Durose 5-145, M Dronsfield 3-71), Werneth 285-4 (Durose 116, Shadford 77, Alex Rodzoch 3-77); Middleton 229-8 (Stanworth 89, Roberts 58, Green 4-41), Monton and Weaste 163 (Green 67, Highton 6-49); Milnrow 167-3 (Scholefield 81), Unsworth 165 (Scholefield 4-37, Diwan 4-38); Heywood 144-2 (Cross 61 n.o., Bhatia 49 n.o.), Royton 141 (Bhatia 6-26); Norden 277-6 (Price 92, H Fitton 61, Poole 49), Littleborough 226 (Williams 89, Hulme 41, H Fitton 3-23, Poole 3-43, Humphries 3-59); Oldham 220-6 (Fasil 46, Hanif 40), Radcliffe 217-8 (Ul-Haq 58, Malik 51 n.o., Whittle 6-93); Rochdale 132-6, Walsden 130 (G Butterworth 4-21).




ROCHDALE and Heywood, tipped to win the John Willie Lees Wood Cup, suffered surprise defeats in yesterday's quarter-finals.



Results: Unsworth 216-8 (Long 45, Gregoriou 36, J Avery 3-33), Rochdale 212 (S Butterworth 84, Fowler 4-23, Harris 3-20); Milnrow 155-2 (Winrow 69, Scholefield 53), Middleton 154 (Fulton 36, Diwan 3-14, Whiteman 3-19); Littleborough 139-5 (Perren 36, Hulme 30, Hough 4-42), Clifton 138 (Adam Rodzoch 38, Collins 4-22, Foden 3-35); Walsden 227-7 (Rawlinson 112 n.o., Grogan 3-61), Heywood 221-9 (Bhatia 69, Shackleton 3-55).

Semi-finals (July 4): Littleborough v Milnrow; Walsden v Unsworth.