THREE SUCCESSFUL RUN CHASES AND ANOTHER TON FOR BRET

It was another golden weekend for the senior sides, with all three recording successful run chases to boot. There were some excellent individual performances once again with bat and ball, and a second ton of the season for Bret, whose punishing 122 was a seriously good effort.

The firsts returned to league action after a week off, and showed plenty of determination with both bat and ball. Smalley's men were up against Hindley St Peters, and despite an early wicket, the visitors had eased to 78-1 before a flurry of wickets brought Totts back into the game. Liam Hickson and Stephen Brooks were the architects of the collapse, each taking three wickets, while a rearguard resistance was ended by Gav Greaves whose impressive 3-9 from four overs wrapped up the tail.

A target of 194 might have been challenging, but two solid early partnerships got the boys off to a good start, with Fuller, Tom and Batty Boy all making useful contributions; however it was former Radcliffe teammates Smalley and pro Burns who broke the back of the run chase, adding a cavalier 85 in just 14 overs. Burnsy recorded his first half century of the season, with a very good 61 from 72 balls, before Matty Hall and Gav saw the boys home to a five wicket win over a competitive Hindley outfit.

Over at Littleborough Lakeside, the game was dominated by two batsmen. The home side's Usman Ajmal struck a cracking century, contributing just over half of his side's useful 198 all out. Totts bowling effort was again spearheaded by the Marsh brothers, with Nick and Si taking a combined 7-68 from their overs. Nathan and Awais took the remaining wickets.

The Totts reply was a one man show initially, with Bret smashing the bowling to all parts. With Nick providing steady support, the opening pair put on 95 in just 16 overs before Nick was dismissed for 27. Bret continued to flay the bowling, striking eight maximums and a further 16 boundaries in his 122 from just 66 balls. A middle order wobble followed his dismissal, leaving the Totts reply precariously poised at 161-6. The capable pair of Dom Kay and Si Marsh however calmed nerves and brought the points home with a steady partnership to complete a fine Saturday double.

The thirds were once again at the Meadows on a pleasant Sunday afternoon. Visitors Astley Bridge batted first and were bowled out for 162. Katie Schofield once again bowled a tight spell, conceding just 19 runs from her 10 overs, while Kieran Mullan again took early wickets. Nathan and Tatts also collected a brace as the bowlers managed to keep the visiting line up in check.

The Totts run chase got off to a rocky start, with Flaherty dismissed early. However Daz and Sam then took over, smashing the ball around and bringing up the 50 inside eight overs, with Narla taking the brunt of the punishment. Sam departed with the score on 60 but Daz continued on his merry way, dominating the bowling and reaching his half century from just 58 balls as the score moved into three figures. It looked like the hard-hitting opener would take the side to victory but he fell a dozen runs short of victory for a well made 81. It was left to the veteran duo of Rowdy and Craig Parky to see the side home to a 6 wicket win and complete a fantastic trio of victories for the Johns!

More of the same next week please!

I Will if You Will Biffaward

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