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Whittle wins the day for Crompton

26/ 5/2004

IN A disappointing set of CLL fixtures, only Mel Whittle-inspired Crompton picked up a win in a tight-fought encounter with Ashton at Glebe Street.

Batting first, Crompton had the wobbles on 50-5 before 57-year-old Whittle played a real skipper's part with an unbeaten 69.

With help from Danny Taylor, Andy Rigby and Hashmat Ali, he managed to steer Crompton to a competitive total of 180-9.

However, Ashton's reply looked on course to register their first win of the CLL season as Sri Lankan professional Anil Ridee (66) anchored the innings.

The Rayner Lane side had got themselves to a comfortable 140-2 before a monumental collapse saw them lose eight wickets for 32 runs.

Saeed Anwar took Ridee's scalp as he returned figures of 3-37 - but it was Whittle again who took the plaudits with figures of 6-61.

Oldham went down to a five-wicket defeat at Middleton after being bowled out for 202 at Towncroft.

Former Werneth professional Sajith Fernando continued his run of form by smashing 112 as Middleton marched to 205-4.

Werneth were also down in the dumps after Heywood inflicted a 50-run defeat at The Coppice.

Batting first, the visitors were dismissed for 182 with Alan Durose the pick of the bowlers, taking six wickets for 60. Mike Arnold top-scored with 34.

And despite Hrishikesh Kanitkar notching 34, Werneth were skittled out for just 132 as Johan Botha ran riot, taking 6-35.

Royton crashed to a seven-wicket loss in a high-scoring affair at Walsden.

Lee Gibbons was 57 not out as they posted 253-7 and gave themselves a fighting chance.

But Walsden cruised home with 19 balls spare as Aussie Shaun Marsh (76 not out), Stuart Hanson (69) and Mark Hooson (63) rose to the challenge.