Friendly return to action

CRICKET: THE Ashton and Oldham Cricket Alliance season blasted back into action, with holders Friends

progressing in the Charlie Scoltock Twenty20 competition.

Replying to Newtonhurst’s 150 for 4, Friends were struggling at 54 for four until Moshin (70) and Nadeem (47 not out) took control in an excellent partnership.

The winning runs came in the last over, with Friends reaching their goal for the loss of six wickets.

J Butterworth took two for 22 for Newtonhurst, with S Drumond claiming two for 27.

Friends progress to the semi-finals.

The two sides also faced-off in the six-a-side Tobin Shield. Friends posted 66 for two, with Amin

mustering 25, before their opponents fell short on 61 for three. S Potts made 25 for Newtonhurst.

Europa Exiles took on Heyside thirds in both competitions.

In the Twenty20 clash, Europa ended up on 163 for nine thanks in no small part to A Hodgsons’s 76.

G Drew (three for 17), M Drew (three for 22) and P Robinson (three for 38) shared the wickets.

In reply, Heyside finished 64 runs short of the target for the loss of nine wickets. P Robinson made 30.

P Davern claimed two for nine for Europa, while R Farrow took two for 14.

Bragging rights in the Tobin Shield game went to Europa. R Farrow and J Joshi both totted up 25 runs as Europa recorded 84.

Heyside made 68, with M Drew contributing 25.