KIRKHAM won the toss and opted to bat first on their visit to Torrisholme on Saturday - a decision greeted quite happily by the hosts.

And they were proved correct when opener Oldfield was dis-missed early, caught behind by Carl Acton after being tormented by Osmotherley's bowling.

Tucker came in and struck some fine blows before Andy Butler's off spin trapped him lbw - and then the game was changed with the introduction of Mark Cottam's pacey spin.

With the aid of Carl Acton's lightning reflexes behind the sticks, he claimed four wickets - two of them stumped - as Kirkham were restricted to 161 for 7 off their allocation of 48 overs. Cottam boasted the best figures with 4 for 38 while Osmotherly, who bowled throughout the innings, finishing his 24-over stint with 2 for 74.

Skipper Karl Hansson and Butler gave the home side a very solid start, with Butler the first to fall for 26 to allow Glenn Cow-herd to the wicket to give the innings impetus with 43.

When Hansson fell for a composed 33, Paul Jackson (33 no) and young Paul Troughton (18no) completed the job as the hosts knocked off the 162 required for the loss of only three wickets in 30 overs.

This was a convincing victory, and if Torrisholme can continue this run of form they must be in contention for promotion.

o Torrisholme seconds made it a weekend double with a 45-run win at Kirkham.

Put into bat, Hoyle (14) and Speight (3) made a steady start but it was Hicks (81) and Neave (25) who made the major contributions in a total of 215-5 declared.

At the restart Jackson and Hicks bowled well to keep the attacking field interested, and though it was Neave (3-79) who made the breakthrough, all-rounder Hicks was the hero again - pocketing a return of 7-62 off 17 overs to polish off the tail on his 30th birthday.