Monton take title in dramatic finale

Monton and Weaste clinched the CLL championship in one of the most dramatic finishes to a season seen in recent years.

They lost at home to Heywood yesterday (Sunday 13 September) while title rivals Norden were beating Werneth in their final fixture.

That left Monton and Norden locked together on equal points at the top and the teams could not be separated either in terms of total wins or outright wins.

Monton were awarded the title by virtue of having more away wins - eight to seven - and so completed the league and Wood Cup double.

Monton made 180 for seven (Paul Green 59, Naveed Din 44) as they chased Heywood’s 222 for seven.

Norden had Hashim Malik making 41 as they chased down Werneth’s 107 all out for the loss of four wickets.

Elsewhere on the last day, Crompton enjoyed victory over Littleborough who made 176 for seven thanks to Darren Smit’s fine unbeaten 109.

In response, Chris Boshcoff (67) and Mohammed Zaman Khan (54) helped Crompton to 178 for two.

Royton were well beaten by Middleton, despite John Punchard’s 72 in their total of 180 all out.

Middleton had posted an impressive 285 for five, with Scott Stanworth hitting 79 and John Lyon 69.

Milnrow claimed victory in their last game of the season with a 6 wicket win over Walsden, while Rochdale handed a heavy defeat to Oldham as they cantered to a 101 run win.

Crompton 178-2 (Boshcoff 67, Khan 54), Littleborough 176-7 (Smit 109no); Milnrow 118-4 (Blake 49no), Walsden 117 (Asad 4-19); Monton & Weaste 180-7 (Green 59, Din 44, Hamilton 4–69), Heywood 222-7 (Taylor 37, Blight 33, Slawson 4-37); Norden 108-4 (Malik 41), Werneth 107; Royton 180 (J Punchard 72, Ridee 5-30), Middleton 285-5 (Stanworth 79, Lyon 69); Unsworth 126 (Madsen 66, Meredith 5-48), Clifton 93 (Dunn 39no, Love 6-32); Radcliffe 279-8 (Tariq 178), Ashton 218-7 (Zaman 65, Abid 62no); Rochdale 284-8dec (Butterworth 87, Tweddle 52no, Faulkner 43), Oldham 183 (Maree 51, Avery 5-55).