Cricket: Kaye bowls nine before Fawcett’s 84 overhauls Royton

Heywood Cricket Club

An outstanding bowling display by Heywood’s record wicket-taker Chris Kaye led to the second team getting back on to the winning trail in Division Four East of the Greater Manchester League.

The 49-year-old returned the remarkable figures of 9-55 from almost 14 overs as Royton were bowled out for 148 at Crimble.

Dominick Fawcett turned in the other notable performance with 84 opening the batting as Heywood romped to a seven-wicket victory.

There seemed little indication of what was to follow when Kaye was introduced into the attack after Royton reached 38-0 in 10 overs.

The veteran spinner immediately turned the tide and claimed all nine Royton wickets – they played a man short – with the help of four assists by wicketkeeper Mikey Witts.

A total 148 still looked as though it might be challenging for a Heywood batting line-up that had displayed a brittle look in the previous two games. But Fawcett alleviated any anxieties.

His 84 came off just 91 balls and he shared a partnership of 100 for the third wicket with Rob Bennett before being stumped with only four runs needed for victory.

Bennett saw it through with an unbeaten 34 to keep Heywood well in the promotion hunt.