Friends hang on to top place

THREE teams are locked together at the top of the Ashton and Oldham Cricket Alliance.
Friends, Greengate and Newtonhurst are vying for the outright lead as the season approaches its half-way mark.

Amin was again among the wickets for Friends, taking three for 20 as opponents Foresters were bowled out for 116. Wallbank and Eccles scored 34 and 25 respectively.
Friends secured maximum points in reaching their goal after Rashid retired on 35 and Umer made 35.

Newtonhurst enjoyed an emphatic six-wicket win over Heyside thirds, who crashed to 58 all out.

Boyle’s five for 21 and Buckley’s four for 14 did the damage, with only Branham (18) showing any assistance.

Boone compiled 25 in Newtonhurst reply.

Greengate had to work hard for their 22-run victory at home to Radclyffe.

The hosts, with Simpson (49), Hammer (43 not out) and Nixon (29) among the runs, posted 192. Chambers, with three for 27, and Johnson (three for 40) were the leading wicket-takers.

Wright (31), Crowther (29), and Chambers (27) made decent contributions and, with McDermott going nicely, Radclyffe looked on course for victory.

But McDermott departed for 20 , after which their hopes evaporated.

Fairclough claimed three for 47 and Clarke picked up three for 44.

Greengate missed the chance to go clear at the top after they failed to obtain maximum points against Foresters 24 hours later.

Batting first, Greengate compiled 179 for nine, which included 55 from Fairclough. Wallbank was the pick of the bowlers with three for 25.

Wallbank completed a fine afternoon’s work with an unbeaten 46 in Foresters’ reply of 137 for six.

I Bailey also made 30, while Jackson had figures of three for 28.

St Mary’s HC are still looking for their first points of the season — but they came mighty close against Europa Exiles.

Exiles, the visitors, made 182 for nine, thanks to useful efforts from P Hodgson (46), Bruce (36), A Hodgson (28) and Towle (32 not out).

D Cadman, with three for nine, and Tuite (three for 30) did most of the damage.

Saints produced a dogged riposte, but fell short on 157 all out. A Cadman made 41, D Cadman hit 30 and Tuite scored 21. P Hodgson took three of the wickets to fall for 31 runs.