Zaman leads T20 charge

Photo: Gareth Lowe

HARD-HITTING action as Royton pile on the runs against Oldham at the Pollards on Friday night.

CRICKET: ROYTON forced their way into the quarter-finals of the Lake Garage CLL's Twenty20 Competition with a convincing seven-wicket victory over Oldham at the Pollards on Friday night.

Alan Durose's men finished the South-East group on two points, along with Oldham and Ashton, but their superior run rate secured them a place in the last eight of the John Willie Lees-sponsored tournament on Friday, July 8.

After Oldham had batted first and made a respectable 152 for four, Royton stepped on the gas and reached the finishing line thanks to deputy professional Mohammed Zaman Khan's 50 and an unbeaten 42 from Durose.

Werneth joined Royton from this group thanks to a six-wicket defeat of Ashton at the Coppice.

The visitors made 124 for eight, home skipper Andy Walker taking five for 16, before Werneth replied with 127 for four.

Crompton defied the odds to qualify from the North-East group.

Deputy professional Khurram Shehzad, standing in for the absent Fida Hussain, hit a superb 83 in Crompton's 168 for eight at Milnrow.

And Shaw CC's paid man followed up his batting heroics by taking five for 10 as Milnrow were restricted to 126 for nine.

Also through to the quarter-finals are Radcliffe, Clifton, Littleborough, Middleton and Rochdale.