Yaqub and Khalid lead Hanford to another NSSCL Division Three triumph

Hanford maintained their flying start to the NSSCL Division Three season with victory at Porthill Park 3rd XI.

The table-toppers made it three successive wins - the only side in the division with a perfect record - as they sealed a six-wicket triumph.

They were set 142 for the points, and they managed to cross the line with more than four overs to spare.

Usman Yaqub led their latest victory bid with 56, which featured seven fours.

Adeel Mahmood lent support with 38, while Leo Plummer helped himself to a couple of wickets.

Earlier in the day, Porthill Park had navigated their way to 141-7 from their 40 overs.

Ross Kesteven (34), Will Price (27) and Harry Stubbs (23) kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Adeel Khalid scooped 3-6 and there were a couple of scalps for Abu Sayeed Jamil.

Burslem seconds romped to a 10-wicket win at home against Bagnall Norton 2nd XI.

Paul Tomkinson (25) and Cian Gibson (10) were the only Bagnall Norton batsmen to reach double figures as they were routed for just 59.

Wasim Ahmed and Kevin Cockerton picked up 3-1 and 3-15 respectively.

Burslem openers Chris Lowndes and Luca Abbotts then banked the win inside 19 overs.

Lowndes walked off unbeaten on 39, with Abbotts 20 not out.

Matters were closer in the meeting between Bignall End seconds and Onneley - with the former securing an eight-run win.

Ben Dixon’s 84 formed the backbone of Bignall End’s 158 all out.

Dixon hit 10 fours and two sixes, while support was forthcoming from Gareth Hill (26) and Ian Lewis (24).

Arfan Mohammed snared 3-25 for Onneley, with Jake Short and Dan Hall both striking twice.

In reply, Onneley pushed their hosts close, but ended up short as they drew stumps on 150-7.

Zarrar Ali compiled 53, including five boundaries, while Short weighed in with 31 and Mohammed chipped in with 22. Dave Quinton took two wickets.

Leek seconds’ bowlers were in fine form to set up their home win against Hem Heath thirds.

Visitors Hem Heath were bundled out for a mere 60 at Highfield, despite George Leese’s 22.

Adam Rutterford led the Leek bowling effort with 3-8, which was superbly supported by two wickets apiece for Khaled Ullah Awdri, Archie Bunn and Jack Bowcock.

Stephen Pugh (3-26) impressed for Hem Heath after the interval, but Leek still managed to seal a six-wicket win.

Matt Bowcock top-scored with 22, Joshua Woodcock struck an unbeaten 19 and Regan Clowes added 14.

Betley won by three wickets at home against Norton in Hales.

Norton in Hales posted 151 all out in the formative stages of the contest, led by Matt Waller’s 48.

Toby Egerton (37) and Charlie Belfield (20) also played their part with the bat.

Ryan Stoneley, Stuart Cheetham and Jonathan Phipps all claimed two wickets for the hosts.

Willoughby Happe’s 58 helped Betley get off to a handy start in reply.

However, a middle-order wobble, instigated by George Walker’s 3-16 and two wickets for Belfield, left the outcome in the balance.

But Stoneley (29no) and Charles Stanford-Campbell (24no) joined forces to guide Betley to the winning post.

Newcastle & Hartshill seconds had a fine day on the road as they returned from their Barlaston counterparts with the points.

Hosts Barlaston took first use and stuck 125 all out on the board.

Adam Morray (30), Edward Seabridge (22), Rob Aked (19) and Mark Taylor (16) made the most headway with the bat for the home side.

Thomas Onions was the star attraction with the ball for Castle, finishing with 4-35, and there were a couple of wickets for Guy Bridgett.

John Aked (4-24) kept Barlaston in contention after the interval.

However, his efforts were not enough as Ryan Hall’s 40, 30 from Bridgett and Jacob Maddock’s 28 saw Castle to a four-wicket success with more than 10 overs remaining.