The Anthony Axford Indoor cricket tournament finally got under way on Sunday when all matches scheduled for the day, plus those that had been postponed from the previous week due to the weather and accessibility, were able to be played at Bolton School.
The first match saw Feniscowles, a new team to the competition, take on Farnworth. They batted first and scored 57-5 in their 12 overs. Top scorer was Richard Turner, with 17.
Farnworth proved easy winners, scoring 58 without losing a wicket with top scorer Aaqib, with 28.
Feniscowles then went on to play Eagley, who won the toss and elected to bowl. Feniscowles scored 63-5, top scorer being Simon Turner (17) and pick of the bowlers for Eagley was Luca Doyle, with 3-17. In reply, Eagley scored 64-0 with both openers not out. Will Shuttleworth made 27 and James Richards 24.
Farnworth then played Eagley. Six run-outs were the order of the day in this match as players tried to force the score along. Eagley made 87, with Will Shuttleworth among the runs again, scoring 35. He was ably supported by Oscar Smith, with 20. In reply, Farnworth could only muster 70, with Simon Booth top scoring, with 28.
Next came the current holders of the Anthony Axford Trophy, Astley Bridge, up against Tonge. Astley Bridge batted first and made 81-2, Haaris Aktar top scoring with 31 and Rob Hitchen hitting 24. In reply, Tonge were all out in 10 overs for 53, with Bilal Patel taking three wickets for 11 runs from his three overs. Top scorer for Tonge was Sam Hardman, with 20
Tonge then went on to play a very young Blackrod side who did themselves proud by winning their next two games. Blackrod won the toss and put Tonge in who were bowled out for 71 - four of the dismissals were run-outs. Umair Ali did his best to push the score along and ended up 36 not out. In reply, Blackrod reached the target in the ninth over, top scorers were Jacob Ashworth with 25no and Jacob Stevenson with 22no.
The final game of the day saw Astley Bridge play Blackrod in a very close match. Bridge batted first, scoring 79-2 with Jake Bailey scoring 26no and ably supported by Haaris Aktar, with 18, and Bilal Patel (11). In reply, Blackrod scored 80 - the winning run scored in the last over with two balls to spare. Top scorers for Blackrod were Lukas Ashworth, with 22, and Jacob Stevenson, also with 22
Eagley and Blackrod go through to the semi-finals to be played on January 26.
Fixtures (January 19): Brinscall v Farnworth Social Circle (12.30pm), Little Lever v Atherton (1.45pm), Brinscall v Atherton (3pm), Farnworth Social Circle v Little Lever (4.15pm).
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