ASTLEY Bridge Ladies produced a powerful first-innings performance that proved decisive as they beat Section K rivals Bolton Rugby Club 121(dec)-92 to win the Pike Shield at Bolton Cricket Club on Friday night.

Strong batting from top scorer Leonie Hazlewood, who scored 21, helped Bridge reach 80 points in a positive batting display.

Eight out of the 11 batters were caught out, and only 10 balls out of 53 resulted in no score.

Bolton Rugby went into bat with confidence, but due to some excellent bowling from Zoe McArdle, allied to the quick reflexes of her backstop and sister, Sophie, only managed to score 18.

Zoe bowled out seven batters on their first ball, then proceeded to deliver eight further balls resulting in a score of 14, with four additional bad balls.

Somewhat demoralised, Bolton went straight back into bat, but this time performed more confidently.

Four players were out first ball, but between them the remaining players managed a score of 51, with top scores of nine from Claire Stott, and 17 from Sherly Temperley.

And, with the addition of a further 23 bad balls from Bridge, they finished the innings with a match score of 92, leaving Bridge a target of just 13 in their second innings.

Despite some excellent bowling from Nichola Wiggans, who had three batters out first ball, the remaining players managed to reach the required total from their first bat and, after a second bat, they declared on an innings total of 41.

Unbeaten Section G leaders Claremont Ladies meet Sweet Green’s Dream Team A, who are just two points behind them, in the Blackburn Shield final at Little Lever Cricket Club on Friday at 6.45pm.

It will be the second of three duels in the space of four days between the two teams, who also play each other in the league tomorrow and again in the Handicap Cup on Sunday.