ASTLEY Bridge and Golborne produced a thrilling encounter in a game which went right to the final over as the newly-named Bolton Association got under way on Saturday.

The Sharples Park side made a decent start in the rain-reduced 35-over clash, as the top four batsmen Chris Lane, Matthew Hargreaves, Soyab Taylor and Syd De Silva all hit double figures.

A fifth-wicket partnership between Andrew Mills and Yasir Rashid, both scoring 32, was crucial in bumping the total up to 150 before they were bowled out.

Fahad Mahmand (4-38) and Lewis Clarke (3-50) did the damage with the ball.

In reply, opener Scott Noble stuck 42 but a poor showing from the middle order made the target look daunting as Golborne sat on 62-6.

Then, skipper Tom Pantak inspired a late rally striking 44 meaning his side required five runs from the final over.

But Astley Bridge’s professional De Silva took the final two wickets to snatch victory in stunning style.

Despite registering a winning start to the new season, Astley Bridge’s new captain, David Cryer, was far from impressed with his side’s performance.

“It was stressful,” Cryer said. “It has been tough since I’ve taken over the captaincy.

“We’ve really struggled to get everyone down to training and struggled to put out a consistent team every week.

“We nearly threw it away. We need to try and not throw wickets away with needless shots.

“In the second innings we started well and had the game in the bag but then we thought we had threw it away again. Luckily a bit of madness on their part gifted us the win in the end.

“It was a bit of a strange one. They went for a run which was never on and gave up the final wicket.

“Our aim for the season is the same as everybody else – we want to get out of this league. We need to up our game massively if we are to do that.”

Elsewhere, Daisy Hill eased past Little Lever to get their season off to a winning start.

Adnan Raees (4-58) and Stephen Hodgkinson (3-22) bowled well as the St James Street club limited Little Lever to 118-8 inside a rain-reduced 27-over match.

Simon Anderton was the only batsman of note knocking 30.

When Raees turned his hand to the bat he scored 71 not out as Daisy Hill saw off the target with six wickets to spare.

Little Hulton also won their first game of the new campaign in convincing fashion at home to Tonge.

The visitors opened the batting with wicketkeeper Craig Naylor scoring 32 before professional Tilaksha Malshan added 34.

Cameron Lucas then chipped in with 17 in the middle order as Tonge posted a total of 122-7 in their 27 overs.

Naveed Ullah (4-44) was the pick of the bowlers.

However, Tonge’s bowlers struggled as Suliman Muhammed hit 53no and Fida Hussain struck 32no to drive Little Hulton to their reduced target with the loss of only two wickets.

Results

Adlington v Atherton. Match abandoned.

Daisy Hill 120-4, Little Lever 118-8. Daisy Hill won by 6 wkts.

Darcy Lever v Blackrod. Match abandoned.

Golborne 145, Astley Bridge 150. Astley Bridge won by 5 runs.

Little Hulton 119-2, Tonge 122-7. Little Hulton won by 8 wkts (rain reduced target).