Oldham edge a thrilling derby

CRICKET: 

OLDHAM defeated Werneth by a single run in a dramatic JW Lees Bitter Tom Hardman Twenty20 Competition match at the Coppice.

The South-East group game saw Oldham bat first and make 140 for eight, thanks mainly to an excellent knock of 71 from professional Zakir Kathrada.

Werneth looked to be up with the pace for most of their reply, but despite 37 from Michael Ashworth and 32 from overseas amateur Levi Thompson-Matthews, they fell one run short of Oldham’s total at the end of their 20 overs.

Eight wickets fell, including two apiece for Amar Bhatti, skipper Rashid Hussain and his son, Hamza.

Royton cruised to victory over Ashton in the same group. Recent league centurion Liam Mason was on top form again, smashing an unbeaten 93 from 64 balls as Royton made 142 for four at Rayner Lane.

Mason’s knock included four sixes and 11 fours.

In reply, Ashton were bowled out for 106, young spinner Callum Porteous taking four for 24 from his four overs.

Crompton’s North-East group match at Littleborough was postponed because of rain and will now be played, weather permitting, next Tuesday night.

The next set of Twenty20 fixtures will be held on June 6. Crompton will host Walsden, Oldham entertain Ashton and Royton are at home to Werneth in a local derby.



LAST weekend’s league fixtures, all victims to rain, will not be played later in the season. The only two free days in the fixture list have already been allocated for matches called off on the rain-hit weekend of May 10 and 11.