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League win - cup defeat

27/ 5/2004

Cricket

MIDDLETON Cricket Club had another weekend of mixed fortunes.

They won their CLL home fixture against Oldham on Saturday, but went down to a very strong Littleborough side in Sunday's Lees Bitter Wood Cup round one clash at Hare Hill.

On Saturday the Moonrakers dismissed their visitors for 202, a total they were able to knock off for the loss of only four wickets.

Sajith Fernando bagged three for 44. The other wickets were shared between Phil Tomlinson, John Punchard, Rick Valentine and Nigel Doyle.

Fernando was also the star with the bat. He helped his side over the finishing line with a superb 112. He was ably assisted by Jimmy Ryan's 38 and 14 from Kumara. A rare first-team run out for Mark Peak saw him score 10.

It was the partnership of Kevin Dufeu and John Punchard which saw Middleton home.

Littleborough batted first in Sunday's game and Alex Collins, a century-maker seven days earlier, was trapped leg before for a duck by Rick Valentine.

Phil Tomlinson took the wickets of Nigel Hunter and Mark Forden, but his figures were marred by the 17 runs which came from his last over, and he finished on two for 54.

Fernando took four for 46 as Littleborough closed on 235 for seven.

The Middleton reply was a stuttering affair throughout, as batsmen played their way in but were unable to capitalise.

Kumara and Dufeu both perished on 31, while Fernando's 17 and Danny Royle's 20 left the target just out of reach. Despite a creditable 22 from Rick Valentine, batting at number nine, Middleton were bowled out for 173.

Middleton and Littleborough have been paired in the next round of the Challenge Trophy and the Moonrakers will have to improve on this performance if they are to have a chance of progressing to the next round.