Four of a kind turn up trumps

Photo: Pictures by TIM BRADLEY.

TAKE THAT . . . Royton professional Pieter Malan puts bat to ball against Monton and Weaste in the two clubs’ Twenty20 clash.

FOUR-star Saturday saw superb Lake Garage CLL victories four Werneth, Royton, Oldham and Crompton.

That well-worn cliche about London buses coming in twos applied to Premier Division side Werneth who, having waited until last weekend to register their first win of the campaign, made it back-to-back victories by overcoming Rochdale in a Coppice run-fest.

Taking first guard, they rattled up 317 for four thanks mainly to pro Mohammed Zaman Khan's superb 178.

The Pakistani paid man was given support by overseas amateur Levi Thompson-Matthews with 58, while Ali Muzaffer hit 40 and skipper Matthew Taylor an unbeaten 34.

Rochdale did not capitulate in the face of such a daunting target. Their innings wound up on 264 for six, with paid man Wensley Lansdale scoring a fine 112.

With Clifton winning again – and at the expense of leaders Walsden, too – both Werneth and Royton really needed victories in their push to ease relegation fears.

Royton have started to pick up again after a mid-season slump and they beat an ailing Heywood side in some style at the Paddock.

Taking first guard, Royton were bowled out for 191, Alan Durose hitting 81, which included seven fours and three sixes.

Heywood were never in the hunt when they batted as Adam Good and professional Pieter Malan got stuck in.

The visitors were skittled for a meagre 87 as Malan took five for 37 and Good five for 40.

These latest results mean that Rochdale and, to a lesser extent, Heywood, have now entered the relegation equation, although bottom club Werneth still have plenty to do.

CHAMPIONSHIP action saw in-form Crompton win at Unsworth.

Having previously lost there in league and Wood Cup this season, revenge was on the minds of Simon Wright's side and they delivered in spades.

They were held to 161 for nine despite overseas amateur Denis Louis's 72, but then bowled out their hosts for just 111 with Aqib Zulfiqar

taking four for 29 and Mel Austin four for 51.

Oldham's Mohammed Bashir collected five for 39 and Hamza Hussain four for 31 as Ashton were shot out for only 78 at Rayner Lane. That was in reply to Oldham's total of 179 all out.

Scores -

Premier Division: Clifton 176 (Parkinson 59, Masmulla 51, Karunaratne 7-57), Walsden 168 (Dawson 57, Cheetham 5-68, Parkinson 4-41); Littleborough 183-7 (Burns 43, Perren 41, Salpietro 5-50), Norden 150-6, revised target (Burns 5-34) match tied; Royton 191 (Durose 81, Lovell 3-35), Heywood 87 (Malan 5-37, Good 5-40); Werneth 317-4 Z Khan 178, Thompson-Matthews 58, Muzaffer 40, M Taylor 34 n.o.), Rochdale 264-6 (Lansdale 112).

Championship: Ashton 78 (Bashir 5-39, H Hussain 4-31), Oldham 179; Middleton 195-2 (Nicholls 60, Davey 58 n.o.), Milnrow 191-8 (Second 42, Wilkinson 41, Core 3-61); Radcliffe 198 (Ashraf 42, Shafiq 3-26), Monton and Weaste 167-6, revised target (Shafiq 68) Monton victory; Unsworth 111 (Zulfiqar 4-29, Austin 4-51), Crompton 161-9 (Louis 72).