IN the Central Lancashire League, Unsworth maintained their pursuit of leaders Norden, and all but ended the title hopes of rivals Littleborough at Hare Hill with a five point win.

The home side elected to bat but soon had Australian pro Clinton Perren back to the pavilion, caught and bowled by Alan Badenhorst for a duck - his first of the season.

Only 11 runs came off the following 12 overs, with the wickets of both Collins and Forden claimed by Taljard. And with three run-outs highlighting Littleborough's panic, the home side were all out for 132.

Chief tormentor was Taljard with 5-47, assisted by fellow South Africans Badenhorst (1-18) and Robbie McQueen (1-38).

In reply skipper Paul Entwistle and pro MacQueen then plundered 23 runs from the first three overs after the early loss of J.P. Hean (1)

Entwistle (23) was replaced by Paul Manley who, together with MacQueen took the score past the 100 mark.

Manley (21) was eventually claimed by Perren, who also bowled MacQueen (53).

Badenhorst added 11 before he too became a Perren scalp, but the Jones Boys, GK and GA, saw Unsworth through to victory, with Graham hitting two consecutive fours off the last two balls.

Unsworth trail leaders Norden by 10 points and could do with two five-point wins this weekend, against mid-table Crompton at Pole Lane tomorrow, and second-from-bottom Ashton at Rayner Lane on Sunday.

Oldham won the toss and put STAND into bat, but they suffered a treble blow, losing Fergusson (6), Moorhead (2) and Seedle (1) in the space of 13 balls.

With the score on 20-3 Dave Taylor was joined by Ali Khan and the pair over the next 12 overs added 67 runs before Khan went for 16.

Taylor (72), Bond (9) and Holt (12no) then ensured that Stand reached a respectable 169 all out.

Oldham lost both openers thanks to two early breakthroughs from Ritchie and Seedle.

However, the middle order all chipped in to help guide them to victory.

Proctor (26) and Smith (30) added a third wicket partnership of 66, followed by a useful 33 from Garnett, 16 from Maher, McDonald (18no) and Inkpen (15no), to knock off the runs with four wickets in hand and 12 overs remaining.

Jack Ritchie was the pick of the Stand bowling attack with 2-32.

Tomorrow Stand entertain Littleborough, followed by a trip to Radcliffe on Sunday.