Roller-coaster ride home for Oldham

Photo: PICTURES by PAUL STERRITT

FULL POWER . . . Oldham bowler Hamza Hussain sends down a delivery against Ashton.

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OLDHAM and Royton will carry the local flag in the quarter-finals of the John Willie Lees Wood Cup.

Oldham won a thriller against Ashton at the Pollards, while Royton swept aside Clifton away..

Crompton went down at Unsworth while Werneth succumbed at Monton and Weaste.

Oldham gave their supporters a bumpy ride: it all seemed plain sailing when Humza Hussain took five for 30 as Ashton were skittled for 129 despite 52 from professional Syed Shah.

But Oldham fell over the winning line, losing nine wickets as they chased down their lowly target, Moeen Sawed taking four for 13.

Liam Mason hit an unbeaten 105 as Royton won by eight wickets at Clifton.

Fellow opener Khurram Hussain struck 58 as Royton raced to 195 for two in reply to 194.

Home pro Thilina Masmulla scored 70 and Dean Morris 65, while Royton paid man Pieter Malan collected three for 28.

Werneth looked likely to prevail at Monton and Weaste after taking first guard and making 240 for four. Pro Mohammed Zaman Khan hit 106 and overseas amateur Levi Thomson-Matthews 53.

But Monton reached their target for the loss of only two wickets thanks to an unbeaten 103 by pro Christiaan Jonker and 88 not out from Jake Sandham.

Chris Hindle chipped in with 43.