BRADSHAW were knocked out of the National Knockout on Sunday after suffering a narrow one-wicket defeat to Hyde.

The Bolton League club, who had knocked Littleborough out of the first round, made a strong start with the bat.

Openers Stuart Hornby (51) and Tom Liversedge (29) scored high before third-placed batsman Marwan Mohammad added 22.

Skipper Nick Lester, batting in fourth, then knocked 53 as Bradshaw ticked along nicely on 144-3.

But then the collapse started as the final six batters tallied a total of 14 runs to finish on 195-8. Daniel Cranmer was the pick of the bowlers taking 4-44.

Hyde’s reply was led by James Duffy who scored 64 but tight bowling from Scott Howarth (3-34) and Liversedge (3-42) set up a tense finale.

Jason Whittaker, batting in ninth place for the Cheshire County Premier Division side, retired injured but re-entered the crease as the hosts needed four runs with one wicket remaining.

And it was his partnership with young debutant Charlie Hewitt that pushed Hyde over the line – a tough defeat to take for Bradshaw skipper Lester.

“It was a good game and we played really well,” Lester said. “Coming away from games like that when you lose in that manner is tough.

“Sometimes you just wish you would have lost by eight or nine wickets so you can accept it a bit more.

“Us in the middle-order have not seen much action this year so it was nice to get out in the middle and have a bat.

“We didn’t have our over-seas or professional and it wasn’t our most fluent performance but we do like playing in this competition so we always try to put a strong side out in it. It’s a great experience.

“It has been a bit strange being three or four games in and not having any league games yet.

“We’re looking forward for the league to get up and running at home to Lostock next weekend.”

Result

Hyde 199-9, Bradshaw 195-8. Hyde won by 1 wkt.