Werneth suffer batting collapse

CLL CRICKET: WERNETH made a disastrous start to the Lake Garage CLL season, going down by 10 wickets to Littleborough in double-quick time at Hare Hill.

Warren Williams took three for nine and Brendan Miskella three for 12 as Werneth were skittled for a meagre 48.

And Boro raced to 53 without loss in only 4.4 overs as Werneth's misery was compounded.

Royton were the only one of our four local clubs to register victory, Liam Mason (58 not out) and new boy Ryan Carruthers (47) leading them to 156 for three in reply to hosts Monton and Weaste's 152.

Royton's new overseas amateur Chris Hutchinson took three for 29.

Crompton were put to the sword by one of the league's established stars and a youngster just setting out in the game.

Heywood's Bobby Cross, the leading amateur batsman in the CLL for several seasons, plundered the Crompton attack for 100 as he led his side to of 220 for four at Glebe Street.

And 15-year-old Humza Naeem, a hugely-promising fast bowler, took three wickets in four balls as Crompton collapsed from 130 for five to be bowled out for a disappointing 135.

New Crompton professional Sida Hussain took all four Heywood wickets to fall for 78 off 18 overs, including Cross and Danny Pawson (43) off the last two balls of the innings.

Aqib Zulfiqar top scored with 31 and Stephen Wright (28) and Majid Khan (23) took the Crompton score from 85 for five to 130 for five before their stand was broken.

Abid Fasil made a triumphant return to the Pollards as Unsworth defeated Oldham by 34 runs.

Fasil left Oldham on the eve of the season and made a match-winning 70 in an Unsworth total of 198, Oldham pro Kamran Hussein taking four for 60.

Oldham were bowled out for 164, skipper Chris McDonnell top scoring with 31.