Naseer leads Friends’ charge

CRICKET: FRIENDS maintained their challenge for the Ashton and Oldham Alliance title with a convincing 83-run win at Foresters.

Batting first, Friends made 191 thanks to fine contributions from Naseer, who made 72, and 46 from Amjad.

N Khan was the pick of the bowlers with five for 38.

In reply, Foresters were dismissed for 108.

Amjad and Nadeem did the damage with four for 20 and three for 25 respectively in their team’s maximum points victory.

St Mary’s HC, the hosts, amassed 167 for nine against Europa Exiles.

K Laurence (38) and A Cadman (20) were among the runs, while P Davern claimed three for 33.

Europa were always in command after a superb opening stand of 117 between R Farrow (71) and P Hodgson (53 not out).

A Bruce added an unbeaten 32 to the total as Europa clinched an emphatic nine-wicket success.

Greengate, the leaders, were too strong for Heyside.

S Wright took four for 23 as Heyside were bowled out for 129, before J Fairclough spearheaded the reply with an excellent 69.

The Alliance’s Twenty20 competition reaches its conclusion at Heyside Cricket Club on Saturday.

Newtonhurst play St Mary’s HC in the Plate, followed by Europa Exiles and Friends in the Charlie Scoltock Shield.

The Alliance take on the Greater Manchester League at Haughton Green on Sunday in their annual Inter-League game.

Scores —

Friends 191, Foresters 108; St Mary’s HC 167-9, Europa Exiles 168-1; Heyside 129, Greengate 133-2;