Leek victorious against fellow high-fliers to cut gap in NSSCL Division Three

Leek seconds moved to within two points of the NSSCL Division Three summit after winning their top-of-the-table clash against Hanford.

Hanford had won all five matches before heading to Highfield, but saw that sequence come to an end.

Leek made their way to 153-6 from their 40 overs, in which Oscar Edwards stole the limelight.

Edwards hit six fours and one six in his 73, with Joshua Woodcock (25) lending valuable support.

Damien Harvey (16) also played his part, while Abu Sayeed Jamil took two of the wickets to fall.

Hanford never got going after the interval, despite Usman Yaqub and Bassit Mahmood making 22 and 21 respectively.

However, Brad Grindey’s 3-15 and 3-18 from Woodcock, above, saw Hanford dismissed for 105.

Betley cruised to the points at home against Hem Heath thirds.

Visitors Hem Heath could only muster 71 all out on their visit to Church Lane, in which Giles Bloore top-scored with 32.

Jonathan Phipps snared 3-9 for the home side, with Ryan Stoneley and Russell Barker sharing four wickets.

Betley needed just 13.3 overs to complete a nine-wicket win as Luke Taylor helped himself to an unbeaten 40.

Bignall End seconds were also in impressive form to win at Porthill Park thirds.

Ben Dixon claimed 5-10 and Jamie Heath took 3-28 as Porthill Park were dismissed for 89 in the first half of the contest.

Isaac Willis (28) led the resistance for the home side, while Tilly Kesteven and Chris Matthews both made 19.

Ethan Plummer took a couple of wickets on the resumption, but Bignall End were rarely troubled in their chase.

They wrapped up a six-wicket triumph inside 16 overs as Dixon completed a fine individual day with 35 and Manazeer Ashan Nawaz contributed an unbeaten 31.

Bagnall Norton seconds pocketed the points on their trip to their Barlaston counterparts.

Visitors Bagnall Norton stuck 117 all out on the board in the first half of the meeting.

Cian Gibson top-scored with 31 and he was ably supported by Paul Tomkinson’s 17, Nick Aitken’s 21 and 14 not out from Spencer Ashby.

Mason Bromley (3-29) was the pick of the Barlaston attack, with Elliot Wilson and Charlie Fisher scooping two victims apiece.

Edward Seabridge (42) fronted the Barlaston run chase, but there wasn’t any support for him.

And that led to the visitors being dismissed for 78 as Aitken and Rob Bennett snared 4-25 and 3-7 respectively.

Norton in Hales are 18 points better off following their win at Newcastle & Hartshill 2nd XI.

Toby Egerton (48), Jamie Shaw (31) and Matt Waller (30) were in fine fettle to guide Norton in Hales to 152 all out.

Theo Abel picked up 3-10 and there were two wickets apiece for Guy Bridgett and Harry Ford.

Castle slumped to 45-8 after the interval before Abel (24) and Rob Hagan (20) dug deep.

However, the writing was on the wall and the home side were skittled for 100.

Simon Line (3-5) and George Walker (3-17) starred with the ball and there were two wickets for Charlie Belfield.

Onneley won by three wickets at Burslem seconds.

Burslem posted 121-9 from their 40 overs, but Onneley made their way over the line with more than five overs to spare.