Oldham back to form

CRICKET: OLDHAM returned to winning ways in the Lake Garage CLL with a 17-runs victory over Radcliffe at the Pollards on Saturday.

Following some disappointing results, Chris McDonnell’s men were in need of a tonic and they got it in a match reduced to 30 overs per side because of a damp pitch.

Taking first guard, Oldham made a respectable 146 for six with Phil Joy top scoring with an unbeaten 32 which included three massive sixes. Matthew Burns took four for 47.

In reply, Radcliffe were restricted to 129 for eight, Mohammed Niaz collecting four for 38 in a disciplined Oldham bowling display.

On a good Saturday for our local clubs, there were also wins for WERNETH and ROYTON.
Werneth won by 44 runs at Clifton, who were 90 for eight in reply to 203 for nine before losing their last wicket in the 50th over and being bowled out for 159.

John Slater batted with real purpose for his 87 in Werneth’s total, overseas amateur Chris Ashton contributing a fluent 46.

And despite Liam Dorsey’s 46, Clifton fell well short of their target as Werneth pro Hasnain Abbas took four for 32.


ROYTON had little difficulty in beating Unsworth by 54 runs at the Paddock.
Veteran John Punchard hit an unbeaten 50 and Liam Brown 51 as Royton made 165 for nine after taking first guard.

And despite Jonathan Fowler’s 42, Unsworth were bowled out for 115 as home professional Luke Procter took three for 48.



CROMPTON were the only one of the four local teams to taste defeat, but they gave Littleborough a run for their money at Hare Hill.
Aqib Zulfiqar hit 40 in Crompton’s 114 for nine off 35 overs and then took all six Boro wickets for 47 in the home side’s 115 for six.