Confusion reigns as Oldham edge victory

Photo: Chris Sunderland

GOT HIM . . . Carl Taylor (right), of Crompton, celebrates claiming the wicket of Unsworth batsman Asar Sharif.

CRICKET: OLDHAM recorded a nailbiting Lake Garage CLL victory at Unsworth yesterday in a match which ended in confusion with the hosts believing they had secured a draw.

Taking first guard, Oldham made 191 for nine, opener Zaffer Jatoi continuing his good form with 63 and Liam Richards claiming six for 46.

Unsworth lost one of their overs to rain and were set a revised target of 189.

But Chris McDonnell, who ended with four for 51, took the final wicket with the score on 188 and, as Oldham's revised total involved a decimal added to the 188, they were declared winners by the narrowest of margins.

Oldham had gone into the match on the back of a seven-wicket home defeat at the hands of Heywood.

McDonnell (81) and Jatoi (71) helped Oldham to 213 for four, but the Crimble side lost only three wickets as Bobby Cross (82) and Danny Pawson (75) assumed control.

Werneth bowled out Norden for 139 at the Coppice yesterday, Joe Taylor taking four for 51.

But they were themselves skittled for a meagre 85 as Norden pro Michael Price (six for 27) and Oliver Makin (four for 22) helped themselves to wickets.

Werneth won at Monton and Weaste 24 hours earlier.

Joe Taylor took six for 40 and paid man Paul Green hit 43 as Monton made 138 for eight from their 35 overs, and that score proved well within Werneth's range as professional Hasnain Abbas (50 not out) and Matthew Taylor (42) steered their side to a six-wicket success.

Crompton and Royton lost both their weekend matches.

The former, chasing 163 for nine at home to Unsworth after Majid Khan's four for 48 haul, were bowled out for only 91 as visiting pro Jonathan Fowler picked up four for 35.

And Crompton were also well beaten at Clifton yesterday, making 124 (Greg Jennings five for 43) before Clifton cruised to 125 for three.

Royton lost by eight wickets at Norden on Saturday, bowled out for 150 (Oliver Makin five for 32) before the hosts race to 152 for two, overseas amateur Mark Lemm hitting 76.

And there was no joy for Alan Durose's men 24 hours later when they entertained Radcliffe, who left with a four-wicket win.

Deputy pro Michael Swart hit 45 and Liam Mason 35 as Royton were dismissed for 168, and Radcliffe passed that score for the loss of six wickets thanks to Basit Murtaza's unbeaten 71.


OLDHAM seconds produced one of the lowest totals in CLL history yesterday when they were bowled out for NINE by their Unsworth counterparts, who scored the runs they needed for victory for the loss of two wickets. Oldham's nine runs included five extras.