THE first round of matches in the Bolton League's revamped Twenty20 competition was overshadowed by Astley Bridge's 18-year-old Hashim Akhtar suffering a brain haemorrhage during the game against Bradshaw last Friday night.

On the field, the new format with pink balls, coloured kits, professionals allowed to play and music playing proved a big hit with large numbers of spectators attending at some grounds and two recording bar and refreshment sales in excess of £4,000.

There were last-over victories in three of the matches. At Astley Bridge, professional Syd de Silva hit a half century and was well supported by Soyab Taylor and Irfan Puda as the home team reached 136-4, achieving a bonus point for scoring in excess of 120.

Bradshaw's Atiq-Uz-Zaman also recorded a half century, but with the visitors requiring just 50 off the final 10 overs Tasheen Kazim took 2-8 from his four overs and Bradshaw only recovered in the penultimate over when skipper Nick Lester smashed four boundaries.

The match was decided in the visitors' favour off the last ball with a no-ball and a single.

In the North Group of the competition sponsored by Dixon air Conditioning, Horwich made 108-9, with six batsmen reaching double figures but none going on to a large score.

There were three wickets apiece for Kieran Edwards and Dan Higham. Westhoughton recovered from 9-2 thanks to Oliver Newby and skipper Rob Houghton with the latter still at the crease when the wining runs came with three balls remaining.

At Adlington, Tush de Zoysa hit 49 in Blackrod's 116 all out as Dan Howells destroyed the middle order with 4-20.

De Zoysa then took 2-12 but it was not enough with Simon Trim and Iain Critchley both scoring in the twenties as the game entered the final over.

There were two relatively easy wins for the Farnworth clubs in the South Section.

Farnworth made the highest score of the day, 161-6 with 39 for Adil Nizar and 38 for Imran Mirza who then took three wickets as Atherton responded with 123-9, Callum Barlow giving them a promising start with 38.

Farnworth Social Circle dismissed Little Hulton for 94, with Jay Channa and Ryan Ayres sharing six wickets equally. Circle then raced to victory in 13 overs with quickfire innings from Chris Barrow and David Tonge.

In the East, Darcy Lever made 120 with sizeable contributions from Jake Cooper and Cameron Murray. Ayaz Hanif kept the total to an achievable 120 with 4-25 but Dominic Gavin and Scott Burns ensured Little Lever fell well short of the target, 72 all out.

In the remaining match, Tonge made 93-7, their highest score of the season but Grant Cordin hit a half century in a nine-wicket win for Kearsley.

Tonight's games (6.15pm start): Blackrod v Horwich, Bradshaw v Eagley, Kearsley v Darcy Lever, Little Lever v Tonge.