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Royton’s win puts CLL crown in leaders’ sights

29/ 8/2007

ROYTON recorded a Bank Holiday weekend double but inadvertently handed the Lake Garage CLL title on a plate to Rochdale.

With the leaders recording weekend wins against Crompton amd Monton and Weaste, Royton's win against second-placed Norden on Sunday almost ensured the title will be Rochdale's.

Having batted first first on Sunday, Royton amassed 221-8 from their overs, Matthew Ward hitting 76 and Luke Procter 73 before Procter's 4-69 and Ben Ingham's 5-52 saw Norden all out for 173.

The day before, Procter had taken three wickets in Royton's 45-run victory over Middleton.

Royton were dismissed for 217, Junior Mitchum making 101 and Ryan Harding 41 before the visitors were all out for 172.

However, Royton's weekend was in contrast to that of the borough's other three sides, all of whom were beaten on both days.

Saturday saw Crompton go down by 72 runs against Rochdale for whom Steve Oddy took 6-33 to dismiss the former for 112.

Earlier, former Crompton man Simon Brierley had reached 65 in Rochdale's innings of 194-8.

As for Sunday, Crompton could only better Saturday's tally by six runs as they were dismissed for 118 by Clifton who reached their target with three wickets in hand.

Oldham went down against Unsworth on Saturday as they could only make 160-8 in reply, chasing their opponents' score of 278-1 which featured unbeaten centuries from Jamshed (135 not out) and Madsen (116 not out).

Sunday's loss was even more galling given that they went down by one wicket against a Milnrow side who added 48 for the final wicket.

Oldham had been all out for 204 before Keenan (58), Brown (55) and Lord (45 not out) saw Milnrow reach 205-9 despite Mel Whittle taking 6-64.

Werneth lost by two wickets against Norden on Saturday, Heino Kuhn hitting 80 and Alan Durose 60 in their 211-8, only for Norden to reach 212-8 in reply.

Sunday then saw them beaten at Ashton where they were dismissed for 118 before Rayner Lane professional Ridee struck 68 in Ashton's reply of 139-4.