Runs flow and it's Newcastle & Hartshill who win NSSCL Division Three thriller

Newcastle & Hartshill seconds edged a thrilling high-scoring encounter at Onneley in NSSCL Division Three.

Castle set a stiff target first up as they made their way to 234-8 from their 40 overs.

Ethan Brown top-scored with 83, which contained six fours and four sixes.

The runs continued to flow with Guy Bridgett (34), Dylan Reynolds (30) and Zak Twist (26no) also impressing.

Mohammed Khalid scooped 3-42 for Onneley, with Mohammed Sakandar taking a couple of wickets.

Onneley attacked the challenge with gusto on the resumption.

Faiz Rasool fronted their bid with 83, hitting seven fours and the same number of sixes.

Toqer Ashraf Mohammad’s 31, Mohammed Razaq’s 29, 27 from Arfan Mohammed and Mirza Ausaf’s 26 kept the home side in contention.

But Onneley were dismissed for 233 - giving Castle a one-run win - as Seb Smith and Deacon Purcell picked up 3-31 and 3-32 respectively.

Leaders Betley pocketed a five-wicket victory on their trip to Bignall End 2nd XI.

James Platt (36) and Manazeer Ashan Nawaz (22) starred early on for Bignall End, but they slumped from 68-3 to 95 all out.

Jonathan Phipps (4-11) and Luke Taylor (3-16) did the bulk of the damage, with Jimmy Jinks adding a couple of scalps.

Thomas Atkinson took 3-9 in reply, but Betley found their way over the line thanks to Oliver Stoneley’s 28, Jack Taylor’s 20, 21 not out from Ryan Cheetham and Willoughby Happe’s unbeaten 17.

Norton in Hales seconds are their closest challengers following their victory at Hem Heath thirds.

Jack Warrington’s 88 underpinned Norton in Hales’ 208-8 in the first half of the afternoon.

Warrington’s innings featured eight fours and three sixes, with Jamie Shaw (33) lending valuable support.

Jack Jones and Callum Lovatt shared four of the wickets to fall.

Jones then made 37 and Gavin Grocock chipped in with 26.

However, it wasn’t enough as Hem Heath were dismissed for 142 as Shaj Ali, Charlie Belfield and Matt Waller took two wickets apiece.

Leek seconds made home advantage count to see off their Burslem counterparts.

Experienced Burslem batsman Chris Lowndes showcased his quality with 68 as Burslem stuck 159-9 on the board.

Lowndes’ classy knock contained 10 fours, with Rhys Sharpes weighing in with 30 not out.

Matt Bowcock helped himself to 4-19 for Leek, with double strikes coming from Archie Bunn and Brad Grindey.

Leek’s run chase reached a crossroads as they were reduced to 94-5, which included two wickets each for Wasim Ahmed and Logan Hughes.

But Damien Harvey and Grindey then forged a match-winning partnership to see Leek to a five-wicket success.

Harvey hit six fours and one six in his unbeaten 52, with Grindey contributing 44 not out.

Hanford were also home winners as they defeated Barlaston seconds.

Adeel Mahmood led Hanford’s batting effort with 59, which contained six fours and one six, as they amassed 183-8. Syed Haider Bukhari (36no) and Adeel Khalid (24) were also in fine fettle.

Charlie Fisher grabbed 3-38 and there were a couple of wickets for Elliot Wilson.

In reply, Wilson made 46 and Tom Gray struck 21, but Barlaston fell to 123 all out. Syed Haider Bukhari and Sibtain Haider Bukhari picked up 3-16 and 3-20 respectively.

Bagnall Norton seconds won by four wickets at Porthill Park thirds.

Porthill Park posted 164-8 from their 40-over allocation.

Bagnall Norton timed their chase perfectly and crossed the line with three balls to spare.