Swing partners wreck Oldham

Photo: Chris Sunderland

END OF THE LINE . . . Oldham top scorer Zoaib Shah is bowled by Crompton’s Danny Taylor.

CRICKET: CROMPTON made it three wins from three when they overwhelmed neighbours Oldham at the Pollards yesterday.

Oldham's batting was routed by the pace and swing of Crompton opening bowlers Carl Taylor and Ryan Mayes.

A succession of players walked out to the middle only to come back in a hurry: Oldham found themselves on a ruinous 12 for six.

It was soon 36 for eight before Zoaib Shah (34) and Aqib Aqeel (20) brought a modicum of respectability to the innings.

Oldham were bowled out for a meagre 77 as Taylor (four for 17) and Mayes (four for 41) made a mockery of Oldham's decision to bat first.

"I would have bowled anyway," said Oldham skipper Taylor. "With the pitch drying out it was always going to do a bit."

Taylor's counterpart, Rashid Hussain, must have wished he had decided to bowl, but at least he had the consolation of grabbing a wicket and, more importantly as a proud father, seeing his son Hamza take two as Crompton reached their target for the loss of three wickets.

Newcomer Sam Cheshire impressed for Crompton with a top score of 37, while Denis Louis's late flourish netted him 21 runs which included two boundaries and a clearance of the rope.


BEN Dunk hit a superb century – his second of the season – as Royton stayed at the top of the Championship with a 70-runs home defeat of Radcliffe at the Paddock.
Dunk raced to 105 as Royton made 201 all out after taking first guard. The Australian pro hit eight fours and three sixes.

In reply, Radcliffe were bowled out for 131, Dunk's fellow Aussie Chris Hutchinson taking three for 32 and Tony Walsh four for 14 from four overs.


WERNETH remained second thanks to a 41-runs home defeat of Ashton. Werneth were bowled out for 157, Joe Taylor top scoring with 24, and visiting pro Naweed Ghany collecting six for 63.
Taylor then proved the main man with the ball, picking up four for 29 as Ashton were dismissed for 116.