Farhat helps Oldham to first win

OLDHAM registered their first win of the season in the Lake Garage CLL thanks to a helping hand from an ex-Werneth professional.

Humayun Farhat had a free day on Saturday as his current retainers, Austerlands, had a bye in the first round of the Saddleworth League's Tanner Cup.

With Pollards professional Hassan Sheheryar sidelined because of a family bereavement, Farhat filled the breach against Radcliffe at the Pollards and his 88 helped Oldham to a competitive total of 199 after taking first guard. Alex Blake took six for 53 for Radcliffe.

In reply, Radcliffe were skittled for 112, with Saeed Wasif collecting five for 37 to spark Oldham celebrations.

CROMPTON were involved in a humdinger of a game at leaders Heywood, but just fell short after a dramatic fightback.

Simon Wright hit 53 as Crompton took first guard and were dismissed for 156, Chris Kaye taking four for 55.

That score looked to be well within Heywood's reach as they cruised to 129 for three, but when Ryan Mayes bowled Danny Pawson for a fluent 63, the hosts and league leaders became jittery.

Mayes and Danny Taylor turned the screw and Heywood staggered to 149 for nine before Kaye and Rob Slawson got them over the finishing line.

Mayes finished with three for 41, while Taylor – having his first bowl of the season – collected three for 10 off nine overs which included five maidens.

After bowling out Milnrow for 128 at the Coppice – Mike Wilson four for 21 and Joe Taylor three for 23 – WERNETH had victory in the palm of their hands.

But they crumbled as visiting pro Babar Naeem turned the screw.

Naeem took seven for 24 off 19 overs as Werneth were dismissed for 77, Hasnain Abbas playing a lone hand with 33.

ROYTON also suffered defeat at Walsden who took first guard and made 217 for four. James Rawlinson hit 76 and Jake Hooson 43.

Royton were bowled out for 161 as Steve Barker collected five for 25.

Scores –
Ashton 85 (G Butterworth 6-25), Rochdale 153 (Warnapura 50, Haycock 38, Rathore 7-40); Clifton 135-7, Norden 132 (Brierley 52, Jennings 6-67); Heywood 157-9 (Pawson 63, D Taylor 3-10, Mayes 3-41), Crompton 156 (Si Wright 53, Kaye 4-55); Middleton 158-4 (Smith 59, Stanworth 53, Hardman 36 n.o.), Unsworth 157 (Fowler 62, Hardman 4-38, Highton 4-42); Walsden 217-4 (Rawlinson 76, Hooson 43), Royton 161 (Barker 5-25); Werneth 77 (Abbas 33, Naeem 7-24), Milnrow 128 (Wilson 4-21, J Taylor 3-23); Littleborough 140-7 (Henderson 43), Monton and Weaste 141-1 (Green 50 n.o., Murray 50 n.o.); Oldham 199 (Farhat 88, Blake 6-53), Radcliffe 112 (Wasif 5-37).