EGERTON secured bragging rights over their Bolton counterparts Edgworth as the two clubs clashed for the first time in the Greater Manchester Cricket League.

Runs came slowly in a tense encounter but opening batsman Tom Fairclough put 35 on the board off 77 balls for Egerton.

The current Bolton League title holders found themselves worried at 50-4 following some tidy bowling from Josh Fallows (3-48).

When Marcus Pratt entered the crease he steadied the ship and calmly batted his way to 79, while partner and wicketkeeper Daniel Partington added 33.

Paul Stafford chipped in with a vital 39 not out late on to post a total of 282-8 as the overs expired.

A daunting target for most clubs, but in front of a bumper crowd Edgworth rose to the challenge and had scored 138 by the fall of the second wicket.

Jordan Smith scored 36 and Liam Watkinson smashed six sixes on his way to 77. A strong middle order saw Ankeet Bawane add 30 and Brett Ernst hit 45 as the Bolton Road side sat on 200-4, needing only 82 from their final six wickets.

However, Sandun Weeakkody (3-42) cranked up the gears with the ball and Edgworth were dismissed for 266.

Elsewhere, Astley and Tyldesley suffered a narrow defeat away to Woodbank.

Johnny Whitehead scored 66 and Ryan Barker hit an unbeaten 42 as the hosts achieved a total of 210-9.

Paul Bennett did the most damage with the ball, taking 4-36.

The Gin Pit outfit lost two early wickets for only 16 runs but regained their composure when Alex Heaton came in and knocked 37.

A steady batting attack of David Harrison (38), Bennett (25) and Chris Ware (33 not out) set up a tense finale but Astley and Tyldesley fell 17 runs short of the target with three wickets remaining.

Results

Egerton 282-8, Edgworth 266. Egerton won by 16 runs.

Woodbank 210-9, Astley and Tyldesley 193-7. Woodbank won by 17 runs.