Royton back in the groove
Reporter: KEITH McHUGH
Date published: 10 July 2012
Photo: PICTURE: CHRIS SUNDERLAND.
STAY WHERE YOU ARE: Royton batsman Mohammed Zaman Khan survives an appeal from Werneth's bowler Joe Taylor.
CRICKET:
JUST when it seemed their season was heading for meltdown, Royton found the inner strength to deliver a derby-winning performance.
Victory over Werneth at the Coppice could prove a pivotal moment in Royton's Lake Garage CLL campaign and it was inspired by their captain and former Werneth player Alan Durose.
He made a quickfire 34 with the bat before using his knowledge of the Coppice track to take five for 50 and guide his team over the winning line. Durose was backed up by professional Mohammed Zaman Khan, who made a crucial 63 in a total of 175 for nine after the visitors took first guard.
That score was amassed in just 37 overs as the match started late after groundstaff struggled to prepare a batting strip following the downpours of the week.
Werneth were always behind the required run rate despite professional Hasnain Abbas's 46.
They were restricted to 146 for nine as Royton boosted their top-eight hopes while damaging Werneth's designs of a place in next season's Premier Division.
OLDHAM’S recent improvement promised a positive result against Monton and Weaste, but it was the visitors to the Pollards who went away with the spoils.
In a match reduced to 32 overs per side, Monton were bowled out for 121, professional Paul Green hitting 30, a score matched by Josh Lenihan, and Naeem Ashraf taking four for 29.
Oldham were skittled for 96 as Jake Sandom (five for 29) and Dominic Gavin (four for 40) strutted their stuff.
CROMPTON’S game at Ashton was one of two fixtures called off without play, while the comeback of the day came at league leaders Walsden, 86 for nine in reply to Unsworth's 104, but over the line thanks to a last-wicket stand of 22.
RAIN washed out any chance of play in the Lees Bitter Twenty20 quarter-finals last Friday. They will be played, weather permitting, this Friday (6.15pm).
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