Closing in on the title

Photo: Tim Bradley

STEAMING IN . . . Royton’s Lancashire ace Luke Procter keeps the pressure firmly on the Monton batsmen.

CRICKET: WERNETH are back in pole position to land the Lake Garage CLL Championship title.

The penultimate day of the season provided fluctuating fortunes for the Coppice outfit and their big rivals, Royton.

Werneth fell over the line in their home fixture against Unsworth.

But Royton’s game against Monton and Weaste at the Paddock ended in frustration when rain robbed them of a chance of securing victory. They lost on inferior run rate, leaving Werneth back on top of the table and knowing that victory over Oldham on the final day of the season will give the club its first title since 1939.

Werneth’s victory over Unsworth was achieved by a slender two-wicket margin. But it should not have come to that.

After taking first guard, Unsworth were 81 for six and in deep trouble.

But a fine unbeaten 56 by number eight batsman Jack O’Brien steered them to the relative riches of 189 for nine.

Werneth’s reply was dominated by the excellent Mohammed Zaman Khan, who was rarely troubled in a superb knock of 103. He saw six partners come and go including skipper Matt Taylor who was forced to ask for a runner after wrenching a hamstring.

Werneth were in real trouble on 124 for six, but Zaman Khan and ex-skipper Andy Walker steadied the ship before Walker was caught at slip.

Werneth were in sight of victory when Zaman Khan top edged to point, and Majed Khan saw them over the line with a square cut for six and a single.

Over at the Paddock, the weather had the final say, with Royton the sufferers.

Monton won the toss and elected to bat which suited professional, Paul Green, who hit a superb 119 off 117 balls as Monton amassed 239 for seven.

Green clocked up 19 fours before being superbly caught by the diving Liam Mason at extra cover, off the bowling of stand-in professional Luke Procter.

Mason, stepping in as captain in place of the newly-wed Denny Hulme, went on to play an impressive role with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 76.

But his efforts – and those of overseas amateur Chris Hutchinson (53 not out) – were in vain.

Royton needed to be 200 or more to win on superior run rate, but came up 17 runs short when rain ended play.