Rash heroics save Werneth

Ashton batsman Janak Patel beats the ball as Royton bowler Chris Hutchinson looks on.

CRICKET:
RASH Khan was the toast of Werneth last night after his all-round display secured a dramatic victory at Monton and Weaste.

The Lake Garage CLL Championship match looked to be going to the hosts when, defending 159, they quickly dismissed key Werneth batsmen Hasnain Haider (0), Matt Taylor (0), Majid Khan (1), professional Mohammed Zaman Khan (10) and Joe Taylor (3).

But Werneth showed their fighting spirit with an amazing comeback; Ali Muzaffer hit 45 and Rob Shaw 36, but it was Rash Khan’s unbeaten 31 at number 10 that clinched victory in Werneth’s single-wicket win.

That completed a brilliant display by Khan, who took five for 43 in Monton’s innings. Zaman Khan collected three for 46, while Jake Sandham hit 67.



CROMPTON brushed aside Unsworth at Glebe Street in a game which saw paid man Michael Pote show glimpses of his potential with 47 in a total of 153 for nine. Pote’s opposite number Chris Williams took six for 58.

Then it was the Carl Taylor-Ryan Mayes show once again for Crompton as the in-form pace pair helped to bowl out the visitors for 108.

Skipper Taylor grabbed four for 32 and Mayes three for 26 as Crompton kept up the pressure on leading duo Royton and Werneth.



ROYTON brushed aside bottom club Ashton at the Paddock. Chris Hutchinson took three for 30 as Ashton were skittled for 120, then pro Ben Dunk hit a 53-ball 75 as Royton reached their target for the loss of two wickets. Dunk smashed 11 fours and two sixes.



OLDHAM suffered a heavy defeat at Radcliffe, for whom Hafeez Afridi was unstoppable.

Afridi hit 96 in Radcliffe’s 242 for eight, Oldham skipper Rashid Hussain taking four for 67.

Then Afridi took six wickets for just 13 runs as Oldham were bowled out for 141 despite a fine knock of 80 by new man Usman Malik.