Top-flight push gains momentum

Lake Garage CLL by KEITH McHUGH

CROMPTON'S march towards promotion from the Championship continued apace, but it was a depressing weekend for our other three Lake Garage CLL teams.

No club in the two divisions of the CLL have been in better form of late than Simon Wright’s Crompton, and the Glebe Street outfit continued on their merry way with a 64-runs victory at Middleton.

Taking first guard, they rattled up an impressive 246 for nine.

Professional Josh Tolley’s 33 helped to set things up, but it was Mel Austin (63) and Aqib Zulfiqar (60) who did most of the damage.

Facing such an imposing total, Middleton were always up against it and although stand-in professional, Lancashire’s Andrea Agathangelou, made a pleseant 38, it was Grant Jones (50) who threatened Crompton most.

Mohammed Shahid chipped in with 33, but Middleton were always fighting a losing battle.

Crompton’s fellow Championship side, OLDHAM, were brushed aside by leaders Monton and Weaste.

They took first guard and were bowled out for 150 as Danny Collins snaffled four wickets for 25 and Furhan Shafiq three for 13.

The hosts raced to their victory target for the loss of two wickets, Jake Sandham hitting 61, pro Cristiaan Jonker an unbeaten 38 and Chris Hindle 33 not out.

In the Premier Division, Werneth and Royton suffered heavy defeats.

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