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Royton rocked by five-star bowling display

28/ 7/2005

Royton 117ao
Ashton 121-3

ASHTON'S resurgence continued apace with a convincing victory over struggling Royton at Rayner Lane.

A clinical and no-nonsense performance was orchestrated by Zafar Zaman, whose five-wicket haul took his season tally to 40.

Garry Coles' men outplayed their visitors in every facet of the game, even though Matthew Ward won the toss and elected to bat on a good-looking strip.

Showing no after-effects from his marathon spell at Werneth a week earlier, Zaman took the new ball and dismissed five of Royton's top six batsmen.

Farhan Hussain replaced Zaman and continued in the same vein as his six overs cost 14 runs, but included the dismissals of Martin Bell and Paul Hughes, while Coles accounted for Danny Rice.

In reply, Ashton opener Chris O'Connor looked a different player, buoyed by four catches and a tidy display behind the stumps.

The young Aussie guided anything loose to the boundary and defended with just as much sure-footed resolution.

He looked too good for anything Royton could offer and only had himself to blame when he miscued a pull shot with a half-century and the finish line well within his sights.

Complacency saw Ridee stumped off Guy Lovell, but Imran Zaman and Rizwan Hussain guided Ashton home with 24 overs remaining.

The following day saw Ashton show their fighting spirit as heavy rain ended proceedings against Rochdale.

Kiwi Test star Lou Vincent was the star of the show with a century as he and Simon Brierley put on 161 to leave Ashton looking like chasing 300.

Once they were dismissed by Zafar Zaman though, Rochdale's batting line-up appeared dangerously exposed, something that may cost them dearly in comparison with Littleborough come September, as Ashton fought back valiantly.

However, the rain arrived during the tea interval to halt proceedings as Ashton chased 257-7.