Taylor half-century guides Werneth home

SIX OF THE BEST... Crompton batsman Aqib Zulfiqar smacks a maximum off the bowling of Werneth’s Matt Taylor.

CRICKET:

HEAVY rain put a dent in the Central Lancashire League schedule, with no play at all yesterday and several postponements 24 hours earlier.

The matches that did survive saw their overs reduced.

In the local derby clash, Werneth earned the bragging rights with victory at Crompton, where it was 30 overs per side.

Sida Hussain made 35 for the hosts as they finished on 120 for seven.

But Matthew Taylor was the star of the show at Glebe Street. After taking the wicket of Alan Whiston, he recorded an undefeated 52 as Werneth reached their target with four wickets in hand.

Aqib Zulfiqar, with a return of three for 56, was Crompton's best bowler.

In a dress rehearsal of the Wood Cup final, Royton headed to Middleton and dismissed their hosts for 143 as the sides played 35 overs each.

Grant Jones top-scored for the home outfit with 28, while Alan Durose took four for 28.

Royton pro Luke Procter made 56 in reply, but his side fell agonisingly short of their victory target on 136 for eight wickets.

Dale Highton claimed four for 51 for Middleton.

Overseas amateur Mark Lemm produced an undefeated 101 as Norden roared to 240 for four in 35 overs against Unsworth at Woodhouse Lane.

Pro Michael Price (48) and Hashum Malik (41) also got in on the act.

Anan Arora led the resistance, clocking up 32, but Unsworth were flailing on 141 when their final wicket fell.

Steve Wild (four for 43) and Oliver Machin (four for 52) did most of the damage.

At The Racecourse, Radcliffe were bowled out for 135 by visitors Milnrow, for whom Alex Scholefield took six for 47.

The away team went on to secure a four-wicket triumph, with pro Raheel Majeed leading the way on 59.

Home bowler Michael Burns accounted for four wickets at the expense of 55 runs.

It was 25 overs per side at Hare Hill, where Littleborough restricted Walsden to 128 for six, which included an undefeated 38 from Kristian Halstead.

Worran Williams took three for 72 for the home team, who reached the winning total with six wickets in hand, Clinton Perren posting 57.

At Welbeck Road visiting side Clifton ended on 129 for nine before Monton and Weaste – nine wickets down – fell 13 runs shy of their goal when the overs ran out.

Ashton v Heywood and Oldham v Rochdale were called off without a ball being bowled.