Leek get their season off to a flying start with four wicket home win
LEEK opened up their of NSSCL Premier Division season with a four wicket win at home against Bagnall Norton.
Bagnall Norton were dismissed for 128, thanks to Ryan Ball’s 3-26. Josh Cartledge made 49.
Saliya Pitigala Arachchi (4-31) excelled with the ball after tea, but Leek picked up a four-wicket win thanks to Isaac Foster (63) and Warwickshire all-rounder Alex Thomson (42no).
Checkley overcame some late nerves to win by three wickets at Burslem.
Burslem were bowled out for 119, in which Staffordshire’s Zen Malik compiled 62.
However, skipper Josh Tittensor’s 13 was the only other contribution in double figures as Checkley’s bowlers dominated.
New recruit Clark
Haddrell gave an early indication of his skills with 4-28, while Ben Haselgrave (3-28) was also in fine fettle.
Michael Allen replied with 28, but Checkley were in a spot of bother on 69-7 in their chase after Malik’s three wickets.
But Brendan Lovatt (39no) and Haddrell (17no) guided them past the post without further alarm.
Moddershall & Oulton and Whitmore served up the surprise results on the opening weekendthe Modd men defeated champions Porthill Park by seven wickets, while Whitmore won on the road at Meakins.
Sam Kelsall’s
Moddershall & Oulton side impressed to overhaul Porthill Park’s 208-7 with 13 balls of their 45 overs remaining.
Sri Lankan substitute professional Sachithra Serasinghe was the star of the show as he compiled an unbeaten 98, including 13 fours and two sixes, to front the home side’s bid for success.
Rob Spruce was also in good touch, making 41 not out, as Kelsall’s men started the campaign on the front foot.
Ben Cotton took two wickets for the defending champions, having earlier made 28 not out in their tally.
New signing Matthew Coxon added 33, but it was Louis Allison who impressed the most, topscoring with 72.
Lewis Moulton claimed 3-53 for Moddershall & Oulton before Serasinghe kicked into gear to lead them to victory.
Northamptonshire spinner Graeme White starred in Whitmore’s shock win at Ivy House Road.
White struck eight fours and four sixes in a 66-ball 80 to guided Whitmore to 209-9 from their 45 overs.
Danyal Hussain added
59, while Karl High (4-45) fronted Meakins’ attack.
Sam Moores made 34 after the interval, but Matt Mcall’s 4-31, plus double strikes from Lee Johnson, White and Usman Tariq, dismissed the home side for 149.
Stone SP were fourwicket victors at home against Ashcombe Park.
It was visitors Ashcombe Park who took first use and they managed to reach 183 all out.
Captain Dave Proffitt (44) and Worcestershire’s Ross Whiteley (35) made starts, while George Harding captured 3-28 with his leftarm spin.
John Cheadle’s unbeaten 68 was then key to Stone SP’S successful chase, with Mark Hulbert and former Durham man Harding chipping in with 25 apiece.