Friends take share of lead

FRIENDS and Newtonhurst are locked together at the top of the Ashton and Oldham Cricket Alliance.

Newtonhurst lost the outright lead after going down to Europa Exiles, while Friends climbed one place after a maximum points win at Radclyffe.

Exiles looked to have it all to do after they were dismissed for 98. P Hodgson hit 20, while Butterworth bagged three for 17.

But Newtonhurst were pipped at the post as Clarke, with superb figures of six for 20 and Towle’s three for 26, condemned them to 80 all out.

Courtney (23) was the only player to make an impression with the bat.

Friends picked up maximum points in a match dominated by batsmen.

The title-chasers compiled 278, while Radclyffe replied with a 228.

Jackson took five for 29 and Simpson claimed three for 18 as Greengate bowled out St Mary’s HC for 102. Butterworth 21 not out.

Phelan was unbeaten on 38 in reply to secure a seven-wicket win. Shereton picked up two of the wickets to fall for 30 runs.

Excellent contributions from Melia, who made 77, Steele (35) and Wallbank (31) helped Foresters to 199 for nine against Heyside thirds.

Scoltock was the best of the bowlers with five for 34, while Robinson had three for 40.

Heyside were dismissed for 122, despite 37 from Topping and Nuttall’s 31 not out.

H Bailey claimed three for 25, while Melia completed a fine afternoon’s work with two for 19.

Radclyffe were also in action on Sunday at St Mary’s HC, where they scraped home in a tight finish.

Dismissed for 114 — White top-scored with 35 while Omerod and Lomas took four wickets apiece — they looked to be heading for defeat after good partnership between Jolley (32) and Omerod (31).

But a couple of run outs handed the initiative back to Radclyffe, who won by 10 runs at the finish.

Chambers, with five for 28, and Wright (two for 28) were the main wicket-takers for Radclyffe.