Lucky seven for Europa

IT was a case of lucky seven for Europa Exiles in the Ashton and Oldham Cricket Alliance.

They got off the mark at the seventh attempt after an eight-wicket win at fellow strugglers Waterhead Methodists.

The home side crashed to 54 all out, with Jarvey taking three for 12.

Left with a straightforward task, Jarvey added 20 with the bat, while Hodgson finished unbeaten on 19.

Star Eleven hold a commanding seven-point lead after an emphatic 90-run defeat of Greengate.

Taking first guard, Star were dismissed for 170. Shahid and Imran, with 48 and 29 respectively, were their the main contributors, while Clarke claimed four for 38 and Jackson four for 33.

Clarke was also among the runs, making 47, but he was the only batsman to show any resistance as Greengate crashed to 80 all out.

Rizwan was the pick of the Star bowlers with figures of four for 17.

AJK kept up their challenge with a maximum points win at home to Radclyffe, who were bowled out for 129.

Mehfooz was the chief destroyer with figures of five for 28, while McLoughlin kept the bowlers at bay long enough to make 27.

After a solid start — opener Nazeer hit 47 — wickets fell at regular intervals until 21 from Jasim saw AJK home.

Friends maintained their bid for top honours with an resounding 107-run win at Copthorne.

The visitors amassed 239 for nine — Rasheed (54) and Nadeem (43) led the way with the bat while Ali took three for 50 — before they reduced their hosts to 132 all out.

Mosan Tilal took four for five and Imran three for 17 as Friends secured maximum points.

Fine knocks from Boone (49) and Simpson (42) lifted Newtonhurst to 144 for nine against Jay Hind, for whom Viral recorded excellent figures of six for 26.

Viral had a good day, adding 60 with the bat, but his side succumbed to 101 all out. Buckley and Miller claimed three wickets apiece as Newtonhurst picked up maximum points for their efforts.

H Bailey’s haul of four for 12 and three wickets each for I Bailey and Guduru saw Foresters cut down St Mary’s HC for only 86.

Foresters reached their target with seven wickets to spare, thanks to 31 from I Bailey and Guduru’s unbeaten 22.

Scores are —

Star Eleven 170 (Shahid 48, Imran 29, Clarke 4-38, Jackson 4-33), Radclyffe 129 (Mehfooz 5-28, McLoughlin 27), AJK 130-6 (Nazeer 47); Waterhead Methodists 54 (Jarvey 3-12), Europa Exiles 58-2 (Jarvey 20, Hodgson 19 not out); Newtonhurst 144-9 (Boone 49, Simpson 42, Viral 6-26), Jay Hind 101 (Viral 60, Buckley 3-17, Miller 3-23); St Mary’s HC 86 (H Bailey 4-12, I Bailey 3-13, Guduru 3-16), Foresters 87-3 (I Bailey 31, Guduru 22 not out); Friends 239-9 (Rasheed 54, Nadeem 43, Ali 3-50); Copthorne 132 (Assim 23, Mosan Tilal 4-5, Imran 3-17).