Title delight for Friends

CRICKET: THE final round of games in the Ashton & Oldham Cricket Alliance campaign saw Friends clinch the title thanks to a maximum points haul at Heyside.

Batting first, the hosts were dismissed for 153, C Lewis and G Drew top-scoring with 27.

Friends reached their target with eight wickets to spare, with Amjad smashing 64 and Raseed ending on 46 not out to spark the inevitable title celebrations.

In the end, they topped the table with 54 points, four clear of runners-up Greengate and six ahead of third-placed Foresters.

Europa Exiles enjoyed victory at Newtonhurst to finish off a topsy-turvy campaign on a high.

Newtonhurst were bowled out for just 56, A Hodgson doing most of the damage by claiming three for seven. The visitors had no problem reaching their goal for the loss of two wickets.

St Mary’s HC were unable to raise a team for their match against Foresters and forfeited the game.

On a busy weekend of action St Mary’s took on Greengate in the Phoenix Trophy semi-final, and limped to 103. They managed to reach their target with seven wickets in hand.




Macedonia earn comfortable win

FAILSWORTH Macedonia made light work of Westleigh Meths in the Site Electrical North Manchester Cricket League Division One.

They dismissed their opponents for 85 before reaching their target with five wickets to spare.

Springhead were out for 125 prior to dismissing Rochdale Catholic Club for 84.

In Division Two Saddleworth seconds earned a 51-run win over East Lancs PM.

Elsewhere there were victories for Failsworth Macedonia seconds in Division Three, and Austerlands thirds and Springhead seconds in Division Four.