Deadly Dion at the double

WITH Dion Taljard unable to play in the first meeting between Unsworth and his former club Royton, this was an interesting encounter.

Royton, batting first, soon lost opener Harding (1) caught behind off Taljard.

But a stand of 75 between Ward (54) and pro Imam (34) relieved the pressure.

However, a bowling change brought on Alan Badenhorst and he certainly livened things up, and two wickets for two runs saw Royton on 83-3.

With Ward still at the crease, Royton looked calm and a stand of 31 between Ward and Gibbons (12) saw Royton to 114, before Badenhorst picked up 5-61, and with Taljard claiming 5-31, Royton were all out for 159.

By contrast, Unsworth's reply stuttered along, with wickets falling steadily to leave them on 59-4 halfway through their allotted 50 overs.

However, Badenhorst clubbed 38 off 39 balls and with J.P. Hean's Support (75) the Unsworth total rocketed along to 140, before Badenhorst was caught and bowled by Imam.

With Hean falling to the bowling of Cook, it was perhaps fitting that the winning runs came from the bat of Taljard, as Unsworth completed a 10 point double over Royton.