Royton suffer last-day woe

CRICKET:

ROYTON missed out on a top-five finish after an agonising defeat at Heywood on the final day of the Lake Garage Central Lancashire League campaign.

It means Alan Durose's side have failed to qualify for next season's LCB Cup.

New pro Mohammad Zaman Khan, who has replaced Lancashire-bound Luke Procter, took five for 13 as the hosts were bowled out for 84.

But the Paddock outfit limped to within two runs of their target when, with 20 overs still remaining, the final wicket fell, Hamish Patterson (six for 21) doing most of the damage.

In a stunning encounter Crompton skipper Carl Taylor took nine for 57 against Radcliffe but still ended up on the losing side.

Taylor and co were dismissed for 108 but they had their opponents on 104 for nine on the last ball — only to see Radcliffe hit a six to seal an unlikely triumph.

Oldham bowled out basement boys Ashton for 129 but fell 18 runs shy of their goal when their last wicket went, despite an unbeaten 40 from Paul Thompson.

Werneth always faced an uphill struggle when Unsworth made 234 for nine at Pole Lane, Chris Long leading the way with 43.

The visitors were all out for 196.