Title is Monton's to lose despite Norden win

Norden remain four points adrift of leaders Monton and Weaste in the Lake Garage CLL going into the final game of the season next weekend.

Norden remained in second place despite beating Middleton by two wickets at Towncroft yesterday, pace bowler Zane Arthur’s seven for 59 proving crucial.

But Monton steamrollered Oldham by ten wickets and that victory means they need only beat Heywood at home next Sunday to secure the league and Wood Cup double.

Scores: Ashton 176-9 (Hodge 102, Z Khan 3-56), Crompton 158-9 (Z Khan 51); Clifton 203-9 (Nisar 116, Storey 4-30), Milnrow 190 (Assad 55, Brierley 42, Hough 6-37); Heywood 181-6 (Taylor 62, Pawson 33, Hardman 31 n.o., Avery 3-31), Rochdale 177 (Weeraratne 45, Dawson 33, Cryer 32, Slawson 4-58); Littleborough 125 (Burns 4-20, Sabah 3-30), Radcliffe 161-8 (Patel 67, Barling 33, Smit 5-79, Deakin 3-81); Middleton 148 (Plant 47, Davey 32 n.o., Arthur 7-59); Norden 150-8 (Brierley 35, Makin 31 n.o., Plant 5-46); Oldham 76 (Hettiarachchi 6-9, Hamilton 4-48), Monton and Weaste 80-0 (Green 40 n.o., Din 37 n.o.); Walsden 229 (Sbizzirri 45, Priyadarshana 43, Richards 4-55), Unsworth 251-6 (Madsen 104); Werneth 170-8 (Durose 63, Procter 6-71), Royton 169-9 (Procter 111, Durose 7-70).