FINALLY, Tonge Cricket Club have something to cheer about.

It has taken them 24 months and 49 matches, but at the 50th time of asking Tonge have won a game of cricket.

And they put on one hell of a show to clinch the final-day victory against Standish.

Professional Ather Abid knocked 48 as Tonge ran up a score of 108-7 during the 25-over rain-reduced game.

Bowler Darren Monckton produced Standish's best bowling figures of 5-40.

In reply, Nick Smith led the offensive with the bat, scoring 52, and Standish needed four runs from the final three balls to wrap up the victory.

The bowling attack, spearheaded by Connor Lord (5-34), took the final victim just in time to wrap up a memorable victory.

And Tonge skipper Danny Delvard was ecstatic after the game.

“It was a fantastic game and it was a credit to both teams,” Delvard said. “They needed four runs off the last three balls and we needed one wicket and fortunately for us we got the wicket.

“The win has been a long time coming and has got the monkey off the back so to speak.

“Some of the games this season we have come really close and fallen just short but we have put some smiles back of people around the club with this win.

“I hope we can keep this momentum and belief and take it into next season.”

With Tonge having a free weekend this week, Delvard's season is now completed and he is preparing to build a stronger squad for next term – with his eyes set on one young man in particular.

“I have already begun studying the statistics and have spotted a young batsman I would like to bring to the club next year,” he revealed.

“We have been following one or two but there is one that I expect to make an approach for in the coming weeks.

“We will do it through all the right channels and we plan to make an official approach for Kai Hodgkiss at Westhoughton.

“We plan on calling Rob (Houghton, Westhoughton captain), and if he has not planned to play him in the first team next season we would love to offer him game time with us.”

Meanwhile, stand-in professional Ahmad Said scored 61 not out as Eagley remained in the top 10 with victory against Daisy Hill.

Mike Ward (53) and Asif Bhojani (44) also scored high as the Dunscar outfit posted 201-5. Said (4-67) and Ross Brown (5-34) bowled the visitors out for 147.

Heaton also kept their place in the top 10 with victory against Adlington.

Majid Majeed knocked 97no as Adlington put on a score of 201-3, which Adam Halton (106) and Brad Moses (72no) helped Heaton chase down the target with eight wickets and one over remaining.

Ian Lee bowled a seven-wicket haul as Little Hulton bowled out Golborne for 76. Umar Rathone knocked 27no as the visitors wrapped up a three-wicket win in reply.