Monton closing in on title

Rain curtailed all but one of the matches in the Lake Garage CLL on Sunday (30 August) as Monton and Weaste placed one hand on the league trophy.

The Wood Cup winners are set to complete the double after beating Ashton in double quick time at Rayner Lane.

David Hamilton took three for eight and skipper Trent Scott three for 11 as Ashton were skittled for 72 after being put in to bat.

And run machine Paul Green hit 43 as Monton raced to their target without loss in less than 10 overs to open up a four-point gap over nearest pursuers Norden with only two fixtures remaining.

Every other game was abandoned following the afternoon deluge.

Sunday's scores: Ashton 72 (Hamilton 3-8, Scott 3-11), Monton and Weaste 73-0 (Green 43 n.o.); Clifton 165 (Alex Rodzoch 64, J Punchard 5-42) v Royton; Heywood 4-0, Royton 105 (Purser 6-37); Littleborough 119 (Deakin 38, Avery 4-32, Weeraratne 3-34); Middleton 91 (Assad 9-32) v Milnrow; Oldham 177-2 (Maree 61) v Crompton; Walsden v Norden 147-1 (Malik 69, Symes 53 n.o.); Werneth v Unsworth 277-7 (Madsen 167 n.o., Fernando 5-121).

Milnrow climbed the table on Saturday when they beat Werneth.

Milnrow made 215 for six thanks to deputy professional Bilal Assad's 56 and 37 from Chris Whiteman. Alan Durose took three for 79.

Werneth were skittled for only 69, Nigel Doyle collecting six for 12.

Crompton were five for none when their home match against Heywood was abandoned.

Saturday’s scores: Milnrow 215-6 (Assad 56, Whiteman 37, Durose 3-79), Werneth 69 (Doyle 6-12); Monton and Weaste 100-4 (Green 51, Smit 3-31), Littleborough 99 (Scott 6-56, Hamilton 4-38); Norden 79-2 (Symes 51 n.o.), Clifton 77 (Arthur 5-32, Makin 4-32); Rochdale 242 (Ayres 63, Faulkner 52, Zaffer 5-65), Ashton 85 (G Butterworth 5-16); Royton 93-6 (Priyadarshana 5-44), Walsden 170-6 (K Garland 35, Procter 5-75); Crompton 5-0 v Heywood; Radcliffe v Oldham, Unsworth v Middleton - no play.