GMCL: Read strikes to earn Egerton thrilling tie

Gavin Nichol opened with a knock of 35 for the hosts before third-placed batsman John Whitehead added 28.

Chris Read then scored 50 not out in the middle order and Woodbank posted 159-9 as the overs expired –Will Halton and Matt Parkinson impressing with the ball, taking three wickets each.

Mahela Udawatte hit an unbeaten 47 in reply as the Blackburn Road side looked comfortable on 118-4.

But a late collapse meant the scores were level two overs from time, with one wicket remaining.

Final batsman Ramiz Patel faced bowler Read knowing a single run would secure victory, but his wickets tumbled and the game ended in a tie.

In Division One, Edgworth fielded first as they hosted Stand.

After a slow start, tail-end batsman Noman Ahmed rescued the innings with a top score of 26 as the visitors were bowled out for 120.

The wickets were taken by a spread of six bowlers with Adam Syddall (3-20) and Josh Fallows (2-16) the most notable.

Jamie Smith (23) and Fallows (45) spearheaded the reply before Simon Lord drove the victory home with a knock of 20 not out.

Astley and Tyldesley sit third in the Division Two table despite suffering a home defeat to South West Manchester.

Muhammad Rao (65) and Hammad Malik (74) starred with the bat as the visitors scored 207 before they were bowled out.

Chris Ware took 4-55 and Jordan O’Malley finished with 5-64.

The Gin Pit outfit started the second innings well as skipper Jimmy Cutt opened with 38 and third-placed batsman Nathan McDonnell hit 56.

The chase always looked possible until Adam Lynch was bowled out on 28 and then the collapse began.

The final four wickets fell for a total of eight runs as A&T fell 16 runs shorts – but they remain only five points behind league leaders Thornham.

Results

Egerton 154-9, Woodbank 154. Match tied.

Edgworth 121-5, Stand 120. Edgworth won by 5 wkts.

Astley and Tyldesley 191, South West Manchester 207. South West Manchester won by 16 runs.