Zaman returns to haunt old pals

TAKING GUARD . . . Werneth’s Matt Taylor.

CRICKET:

MOHAMMED Zaman Khan made a triumphant return to the Paddock as Werneth staked an emphatic Lake Garage CLL Championship title claim at the expense of neighbours Royton.

In the most significant fixture in the division this season, Zaman took control with bat and ball.

After Werneth took first guard, Zaman hit an electrifying unbeaten 139 in the visitors' commanding 261 for four. Zaman clubbed 11 fours and smashed five sixes in his 123-ball stay at the crease which put the division leaders in control.

Skipper Matthew Taylor made a steady 38, while the influential Ali Muzaffer - a real bonus player for Werneth in recent weeks - hit 37 off 44 balls, including three fours and two sixes.

Most of the seven Royton bowlers used by skipper Denny Hulme were given rough treatment by the Werneth batsmen, and particularly Zaman, but overseas amateur Chris Hutchinson did manage to pick up a couple of wickets, albeit at a cost of 50 runs from eight overs.

If Royton were going to get anywhere near their target, then Aussie professional Ben Dunk needed to reproduce the form which had seen him hit three hundreds this season.

And Dunk gave it a good shot, making 74 from 77 balls, with eight fours and two sixes, before he was caught by Mehmood Ul-Hassan off the bowling of Muzaffer.

Dunk's dismissal, with the score on 147 and the required run rate climbing, was the killer blow for Royton, who were eventually dismissed for 186.

Werneth are now 12 points clear of Royton at the top of the Championship.

The title is getting ever closer, too, but Royton need to steady the ship if their own promotion hopes are to remain intact with CROMPTON breathing down their necks following their 142-runs demolition of Ashton at Glebe Street.

Ashton were skittled for 100.

OLDHAM were on the wrong end of a runs blitz at Unsworth.

The hosts made a staggering 347 for five from their 50 overs thanks to 100 from Jon Wiggans, an unbeaten 71 by Mohammed Jahangir and 68 from Chris Long.

Oldham folded rather tamely to 119 all out.