Ashton and Oldham Cricket Alliance update

WITH Star Eleven already assured of title honours, all eyes were on the battle for runners up spot in the Ashton and Oldham Cricket Alliance.

And AJK, on the final day of the season, secured second place with their six-point win at home to Copthrone.

Defending 146 — Umar took four for 29 — they sent their opponents crashing to 111 all out. Tanveer was the pick of the bowlers with figures of five for 28.

Despite being bowled ouit for 105, Friends, who started the day in third place, were convincing winners at home to Europa Exiles, for whom Hodgson and Finn took three wickets apiece.

The visitors managed only 58 in reply. Waseem weighed in with four for 15 and Abid Ali took three for 17.

Rain halted Jay Hind’s bid for victory against St Mary’s HC, who made 136 for six.

Cadman and Jolley made 31 and 23 respectively, while Hind were 84 for two when the heavens opened. Parth top scored with 51.

An excellent 73 from Clark lifted Greengate to 174 for nine against Newtonhurst.

Drummond claimed four for 50 and Miller three for 29.

Newtonhurst were 125 for seven, with Miller unbeaten on 41, when rain forced an early finish.

But because they had faced more than 20 overs, Greengate were awarded a winning draw.

Radclyffe ended their season on a high note with an emphatic nine-wicket win over Waterhead Methodist, who were restricted to 84 for eight.

Bramham made 32, while M Chambers claimed three for six and Johnson backed up with three for 17.

Radclyffe cruised to victory thanks to Crowther’s 35 and an unbeaten 24 from White 24.

Star Eleven, the champions, completed their series in style.

After dismissing Friends for 106 — Zeer and Imran were among the wickets — they reached their target with five wickets to spare.

Attention now turns to this weekend’s Shield semi-final ties.

Copthrone and Newtonhurst go head to head on Saturday and Forester play Friends on Sunday.

The final will be played at Ashton CC on Saturday, August 30.

Scores are —

AJK 146 (Umar 4-29), Copthorne 111 (Tanveer 5-28); Friends 105 (Amjad Ali 35, Mahmood 22, Hodgson 3-24, Finn 3-28), Europa Exiles 58 (Jarvey 22, Waseem 4-15, Abid Ali 3-17); St Mary’s HC 136-6 (Cadman 31, Jolley 23, Jay Hind 84-2 (Parth 51) — rain stopped play; Greengate 174-9 (Clark 73, Drummond 4-50, Miller 3-29), Newtonhurst 125-7 (Miller 41 not out); Waterhead Methodist 84-8 (Bramham 32, Chambers 3-6, Johnson 3-17), Radclyffe 86-1 (Crowther 35, White 24 not out); Friends 106 (Puller 25, Bailey 22, Zeer 4-10, Imran 3-12), Star Eleven 109-5 (Asad 39, Isfaq 37).