Title race hots up

STANDING FIRM: Chris Keogh, of Heyside thirds, plays the ball to the leg side on his way to a fine 43 against Europa Exiles.

THERE is everything to play for in the Ashton and Oldham Alliance after Friends and Radclyffe posted maximum points wins.

Just three points separate the top five sides in the table, although Newtonhurst and Greengate boast games in hand which could prove crucial.

Europa Exiles, the leaders, took first knock against Friends and were soon reeling on 23 for six.

They were eventually bowled out for 53. Smith made 17, while Nadeem claimed four for 37 and Amin took three for 14.

Friends, who only had nine players, struggled to 43 for seven, before crawling over the winning line.

A Hodgson and N Lawrence picked up three wickets apiece.

Saturday’s other fixture between St Mary’s HC and Heyside thirds was abandoned because of rain.

Radclyffe enjoyed a seven-wicket victory at Foresters on Sunday.

Bowling proved a hit with the bat for Foresters, making 38 out of a total of 132. Chambers claimed three for 29.

The visitors completed a comfortable win, with that man Chambers making 34 and Wright’s 33.

Meanwhile, Heyside thirds and Greengate will meet in the final of the Fawcett/Penney Supplementary Cup on August 30.

Heyside upset the form book by beating Europa Exiles by 73 runs at Little Hey Street.

The hosts amassed 213 for eight, thanks to an unbeaten 50 from Scoltock, Keogh’s 43, 40 from Lewis and 21 apiece from Warburton, and G Winstanley, who was not out.

Andrew Hodgson (two for 24) and Lawrence (two for 31) were the pick of the Europa bowlers.

Dominant with the bat, Heyside were soon on top with the ball.

Europa were eventually dismissed for 140 after some late resistance from Smith (32), Lawrence (31) and Bradbury (26).

Warburton, with four for 30, and Topping’s three for 26 did the damage.

Greengate were convincing seven-wicket winners over St Mary’s HC, who were bowled out for exactly 100, which owed much to K Lawrence’s battling 40.

Simpson had superb figures of four seven and Ball bagged two for eight.

Greengate lost early wickets — Tuite took two for 16 — but a fine 54 from Shenton and Buckley’s 17 steered them home.