Holders Friends are off to a flyer

CRICKET: THE Ashton and Oldham Cricket Alliance season got under way with games in the Charlie Scoltock Twenty20 competition.

At Newtonhurst, the home side batted first and made 118 for four thanks mainly to a partnership of 52 between G Boyle (35) and S Potts (33 not out).

In reply, holders Friends needed just 12 overs to reach their target, making 120 for three, with Rashid (38), Mosin (33 not out) and Amjad (21) all batting well.

Newtonhurst will go on to contest the plate competition.

At Foresters, a weakened Radclyffe side could only manage 43 against some good bowling from K Guduru, who claimed three wickets for no runs, I Bailey (two for 16) and T Latif (two for 18).

The best of the batters for Radclyffe was M Chambers, who scored 15.

Foresters reached their target for the loss of four wickets, M Chambers claiming took three for nine.

In a match delayed by the weather, Europa Exiles started well against St Mary’s HC, with an opening partnership of 70 between R Farrow, who retired on 60, and P Hodgson (29).

A Bruce, who was unbeaten on 34, added his support as Europa finished on 156 for four.

The best of the bowlers was A Cadman, who finished with two for 22.

St Mary’s were going well thanks to 42 from M Woods and S Jolley’s 31, but when the partnership was broken the wickets began to fall at regular intervals.

P Hodgson took a hat-trick in the last over in figures of three for 23 as St Mary’s finished on 140 for nine. M Clinton also picked up three for Europa.

Scores —

Charlie Scoltock Twenty20: Newtonhurst 118-4, Friends 120-3; Radclyffe 43 all out, Foresters 45-4; Europa Exiles 156-4, St Mary’s HC 140-9.


Saddleworth thirds emerged victorious in division two of the Site Electrical North Manchester League after amassing 256 for four against East Lancs.

Greenfield thirds defeated their Elton counterparts in division three, and Austerlands thirds overcame Tottington St Johns in divison four.

Results —

Division one: Springhead 107 all out, Littleborough Lakeside 108 for three.

Division two: Saddleworth III 256 for four, East Lancs PM II 102 all out.

Division three: Greenfield III 229 for seven, Elton III 206 all out.

Division four: Austerlands III 249-2, Tott St Johns II 88 all out; Darcy Lever thirds 183 for five, Springhead seconds 130 for nine.