Royton rock

Photo: Pictures by TIM BRADLEY

OLDHAM batsman Paul Thompson avoids a short ball in yesterday’s Wood Cup quarter-final clash against Walsden.

Durose’s men are Wood Cup giant-killers

ROYTON defied the odds to defeat runaway Lake Garage CLL leaders Norden by 28 runs and book a place in the semi-finals of the John Willie Lees Wood Cup.

Beaten heavily by the same team in the league the previous week, Royton turned things around with a stunning performance at the Paddock yesterday.

Batting first, they piled up 204 for eight, deputy professional Chesney Hughes top scoring with 83.

Opening batsman Liam Mason made an important 34, while overseas amateur Chris Hutchinson scored a vital 42 at number three.

Royton’s healthy total asked the question of Norden and the answer was not forthcoming.

Professional Michael Price hit 62 and Nick Brierley 39, but theirs were the only two innings of note as the visitors were dismissed for 176 off 48.3 overs.

All seven Royton bowlers performed with credit, but it was skipper Alan Durose who produced the most telling spell, collecting four for 36 off 9.3 overs. Hutchinson completed a fine all-round display with three for 31.

Royton will host Walsden in the semi-finals after the latter club’s comfortable win at Oldham.

Put in to bat on a damp track, Oldham were bowled out for only 92 as deputy pro Ridee, the ex-Ashton paid man, took three for 14, and was backed up by Elliott Gilford (three for 19) and Jamie Shackleton (three for 26).

In reply, Walsden raced to 93 for two, with Jake Hooson unbeaten on 44.