Rochdale Observer

Avery takes five in easy win

NEIL AVERY... five wickets for Rochdale.ROYTON will be glad to see the back of Rochdale.
After a crushing 270 run defeat at the Paddock a week ago they were on the wrong end of another hiding last weekend, going down by 111 runs.
The damage was again inflicted by Lou Vincent who followed up his 144 at Royton with another century.
His innings of 107 was the mainstay of Rochdale's total of 242 which was far too many for Royton on the day.
Neil Avery then claimed five for 14 in 8.1 overs.
On the hottest day of the summer so far Rochdale skipper Roger Oldfield had no hesitation in taking first use of the wicket on winning the toss.
Teenager Ian Helliwell, back in the first team after a confidence-boosting stint with the seconds, didn't last long. He was neatly caught by Matthew
Ward as Andy Westphal got some late movement off the wicket.
But this merely brought together the 'old firm' of Vincent and Simon Brierley who had so mercilessly flayed the Royton attack seven days previously.
The pair featured in another century partnership before Brierley, on 45, clipped Clarke to mid-wicket where Ward took an easy catch.
Vincent, who had been dropped on 21, continued on his way, and his half-century duly arrived off 40 balls. It included a six and eight fours.
He got to his 100, his fourth for the club, in 84 balls, with 14 fours and two sixes.
He was finally dimissed for 107, but by then the damage, at least as far as Royton were concerned, had been done.
Youngsters Maurice Scott and James Greenhalgh weighed in with 17 each to give hint of future promise as Rochdale reached 242.
Woodward, who took five for 60, was the pick of the Royton bowlers.
It was obvious someone had to play a big innings if Royton were to get anywhere near Rochdale's score.
Such hopes were soon shattered by Lee Milner. He opened the Rochdale attack in place of Vincent who had elected not to bowl because of a back strain.
MiIner quickly grabbed the wickets of openers Ward and Clarke to leave Royton well and truly on the back foot.
Steve Oddy weighed in with the vital wicket of professional Neil Broom for 14 and after that the innings became something of a procession.
Much of the credit for this must go to Avery who, bowling from the football ground end, scythed through the Royton tail.