Marshall in great nick for Bamford

TON OF RUNS . . . Simon Marshall.

A CENTURY from Simon Marshall inspired Bamford Fieldhouse to a 15-run win over Farnworth in the last 16 of the National Knock-out Cup.

The former Lancashire player struck 113 and, backed up by key contributions from Jack Kelliher (46) and Warren Hegg (46), Paddy McKeown’s side reached 265 for seven.

Marshall struck nine fours and half-a-dozen sixes in his 110-ball stay, while ex-Red Rose wicketkeeper and captain Hegg took faced only 30 deliveries.

Farnworth gave it a good go in reply, but despite 115 from Jason Swift and Paul Rayment’s 39, the Bolton League outfit fell short of Bamford’s total.

Andy Smith-Butler and Simon Wright claimed three wickets apiece, while Mel Austin’s nine overs cost only 15 runs.

Bamford’s reward is a home quarter-final tie against Walmley, from the Birmingham and District Premier League, on Sunday, August 8, which coincides with the club’s Moore Cup final at Austerlands.

Marshall is enjoying a fine at the crease.

Sunday’s knock took the 27-year-old’s runs tally for the season to 1,122 in all competitions at an average of 70.12.