Flat Werneth fluff their lines

Werneth batsman Kyle Roberts gets a four off Middleton's George Walker.

CRICKET:

THEY went into finals day with such high hopes, but it simply didn't happen for Werneth.

The climax to the Lees Bitter Twenty20 Competition was completely different to the rest of the Lake Garage CLL season in that the sun shone on its participants.

But the effect of weeks of rain was felt as a tacky wicket at hosts Littleborough made run-scoring difficult.

Werneth simply failed to turn up against a Middleton side deservedly crowned champions at the expense of Littleborough.

Restricted to 96 for eight in their semi-final after an innings containing an abundance of rash shots, Werneth could take only two wickets as Middleton completed their domination of the match.

Middleton, despite the loss of Smith for 22, cruised to victory as Scott Stanworth (25 not out) and Tom Hardman (26 not out) showed their class.

They deservedly went on to beat Littleborough in the final, making 132 for two in reply to 128 for five.

Shaw-based Stanworth scored 33, while man-of-the-match Smith was unbeaten on 70.

Earlier, Littleborough (103 for four) had beaten Heywood (96 all out).










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