Hussain helps star step closer to title
Date published: 31 July 2008
STAR ELEVEN moved a step closer to the title in the Ashton & Oldham Cricket Alliance with an excellent win in the top-of-the-table clash with Friends.
Star Eleven batted first and were struggling at 69 for five, with only Sahid (32) making any real contribution.
However, thanks to an excellent 95 from Imran Hussain they made a respectable 189 against the bowling of Nadeen (5-36).
In reply, Friends started solidly with Rizwan making 41 but, as wickets fell, only Amjad Ali, with 43 not out, showed any resistance as they were dismissed for 144.
At AJK, the home side were surprisingly beaten by bottom side St Mary’s HC, their first win of the season.
Batting first, AJK were dismissed for 116 with Tanzeer (32) and Jasim (25) doing their best against the bowling of Ferrington (3-6) and Lomas (3-34).
With K Lawrence unbeaten on 42, St Mary’s took maximum points on 118 for five.
Jay Hind gained ground at the top of the table with a maximum points win in a close finish at Radclyffe.
Jay Hind, with Parth top scoring on 34 ,were dismissed for 126 by I Johnson (3-16) and S Wright (3-24).
The home side fell just short, the last wicket falling on 122 - M Chambers making 27, with Narendra (4-24) and Anand (3-27) the bowlers doing the damage.
It was an even closer finish at Newtonhurst with visitors Europa Exiles being bowled out for 104 (E Critchlow 31no, R Farrow 26) against N Courtney (4-31), A Miller (3-9) and G Boyle (3-13).
Despite N Courtney (28) and A Truner (26) Newtonhurst could only manage 103 to give Europa maximum points (M Clinton 3-21 and P Hodgson 3-30).
At Waterhead Methodist, the home side were dismissed for 95 against Greengate, with P Palfreyman unbeaten on 21. Best of the Greengate bowlers was R Jackson (3-28).
With M Shenton 23 and V Clarke unbeaten on 19, Greengate reached their target at 96 for six, Waqas bowling well for Waterhead to take three for 16.
SHAW will play host to Crompton in the annual Shaw and Crompton Parish Council Challenge Cup tomorrow (start 6pm). Entry is free for the 20-overs-per-side match.
