Ruthless Werneth back in business

CRICKET: WERNETH hit back from their opening-day mauling at the hands of Littleborough to dish out similar treatment to Ashton in the Lake Garage CLL on Sunday.

The Coppice outfit suffered a 10-wicket hiding the week before, but whatever was said by skipper Andy Walker clearly had the desired effect as Werneth were utterly ruthless in this dismissal of the struggling visitors.

After taking first guard, Werneth made 52 for three. Then professional Hasnain Abbas and overseas amateur Louis Ashton took over, sharing a fourth-wicket stand of more than 200 as Ashton's bowlers were dispatched to all parts of the Coppice.

Abbas (139) and Ashton (104 not out) were superb, as was young Joe Taylor who came in and hit a rapid unbeaten 56.

There was clearly nothing wrong with the wicket, but you would not have thought that judging by Ashton's dismal display which saw them skittled for a meagre 88. Matthew Taylor running through them with six for 40.

Royton were looking for a second successive victory at home to Littleborough, but found the powerful visitors just too strong.

Phil Deakin made a vital unbeaten 66 as Boro were dismissed for 202, Royton's overseas amateur Chris Hutchinson taking five for 42.

And Royton were bowled out 30 runs short of that score despite Mark Woodward's knock of 43. Deakin took three for 25 and Warron Williams 3-66.

Oldham felt the full force of stand-in professional Will Purser as they lost at Walsden.

Purser, deputising for Duminda Perera, took eight wickets for 40 runs as Oldham were dismissed for 129 in reply to the home side's 214-7. Kristian Halstead top scored with 54 for Walsden.

Crompton lost by seven wickets at Rochdale, who chased down 132 for the loss of three wickets, Andrew Dawson hitting an unbeaten 41.

The premature departure of Aqib Zulfiqar, playing well when hit by a bouncer, was a major blow for Crompton, who would surely have made a bigger total but for this setback.

New Rochdale professional Pieter Klein took five for 40 on his debut.


Ton-up Simpson inspires Delph
DELPH saw off Slaithwaite in the Drakes Huddersfield League Premiership.

Graeme Simpson recorded an undefeated 101 as Grant Jones’ men posted 266 for seven.

Their opponents were still 123 runs short of the target when their last wicket fell.

Arron Lilley took three for 31.


MICKLEHURST suffered a Cedar Court Conference defeat to Rastrick, who made 242.
N Lawrence claimed six for 36. The Castle Lane outfit were dismissed for 115.