UNSWORTH have the perfect opportunity to challenge the leaders in the Central Lancashire League this weekend after another convincing win in the Central Lancashire League.

A five-wicket victory over Werneth means the Pole-Laners stand just three points off the leaders, Rochdale, and two points behind second-placed Norden; who host Unsworth on Sunday.

And, captain Paul Entwistle is optimistic of more success: "We have already knocked Norden out of the Wood Cup so we know we can beat them. It's an excellent opportunity for us. We were excellent again at the weekend against a very good side, despite missing key players in myself and Dion Taljaard."

Werneth had batted first and were contained by superb economical bowling from Barry Hamilton and professional Robbie MacQueen.

Hamilton bowled unchanged for 25 overs and was rewarded with figures of 4-87, with MacQueen's 18 overs yielding 2-60.

They were faced with Werneth's professional Hrishikesh Kanitkar, a veteran of seven international matches with India, but restricted the visitors to just 186-6 in their 50 overs.

Kanitkar did make his mark with a sparkling 75 before he was trapped in front by Hamilton but he received very little support from a batting line-up shorn of confidence.

John Hean (44) and Paul Manley (33) gave Unsworth the perfect start but they were both dismissed by Stuart Moore to send jitters through the home side's dressing room.

However, Graeme Jones (59*) kept his nerve to steer his side to a five-wicket victory with seven overs remaining.

Moore proved to be the most effective Werneth bowler with excellent figures of 3-40 in his twelve overs.

Skipper Entwistle enthused: "Barry showed brilliant stamina to bowl unchanged and the pro (MacQueen) bowled like he has done all season - superbly. You have to remember that the Werneth professional is a Test Match player.

"But, we always felt confident chasing that target and it was a good effort from Graeme to see it through on what we felt was an excellent wicket."

On the injury front, Taljaard will be missing for several weeks but the skipper should return to the ranks should he pass a late fitness test.