Werneth sickener
Date published: 02 June 2014
Photo: PICTURES by CHRIS SUNDERLAND
LOOKING BACK IN ANGER: Royton’s Kurram Hussain sees his bails fly off thanks to the bowling of Heywood’s Farhaan Behardien.
CRICKET:
WERNETH were sick last night after snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in their Lake Garage CLL Premier Division clash at Heywood.
Having posted 182 for seven and reduced Heywood to 80 for eight, Werneth seemed to be in complete command. But just over an hour later their players looked totally bewildered as Heywood crossed the finishing line with a wicket to spare.
Architect of the Heywood win was professional Farhaan Behardien, who came in at 28 for two and was still there at the end on 88. He was given superb support in a ninth-wicket stand of 90 by former Royton spinner Joe Lovell, though it was Chris Kaye who was with the home pro at the end.
Goodness knows what this will do for the morale of a team yet to win a CLL match of any description this season. The one consolation Werneth can fall back on is the knowledge that they bossed the game for 80 per cent of the time.
Having won the toss and taken first guard, they compiled their useful total with 61 from pro Mohammed Zaman Khan, 30 from overseas amateur Levi Thompson-Matthews and 28 by skipper Matt Taylor.
Behardien was Heywood’s most successful bowler with three for 27.
When the hosts reached 21 without loss, the script looked to be going according to plan. But then came a dramatic collapse, inspired by Mohammed Abbas, who was making his first start for Werneth after other commitments. Abbas took five for 56 as Heywood collapsed to 80 for eight and seemingly out of contention.
Behardien stood firm and chipped away at the deficit. Ably supported by Lovell, Behardien passed 50 and looked to be in control.
The question was whether Werneth could get wickets at the other end and, when they finally got rid of Lovell, Kaye survived two huge leg before wicket shouts before Behardian hit the winning runs square of the wicket.
Heywood had got out of jail, Werneth had squandered a glorious opportunity.
OLDHAM registed the only local victory of the weekend when they defeated Middleton by 51 runs in the Championship at the Pollards yesterday.
Pro Zakir Kathrada hit 46, Bhojani 49 and Javid 47 as Oldham scored 187, Peter Davey making a rare contribution with the ball to take five for 22.
In reply, Middleton were bowled out for 136, pro Grant Edmeades top scoring with 33.
CROMPTON suffered a disappointing home defeat in the Championship at the hands of Radcliffe, who took first guard and made 211 thanks to Patel’s superb 116. In reply, Crompton were bowled out for 167, Aqib Zulfiqar top-scoring with 43 and Dixon collecting four for 77.
ROYTON were beaten for the second time at the weekend when they lost their Premier Division match at Norden by 32 runs.
The hosts made 212 thanks to 51 from Simon North and 40 by Oliver Makin. Royton replied with 180, skipper Denny Hulme top scoring with 58, home paid man Daniel Salpietro taking five for 51 and Hashim Malik five for 36.
