MATT Parkinson grabbed a hat-trick as Egerton beat Denton West by 35 runs in the Greater Manchester League Premier Division.

The Lancashire youngster took 4-30 and was supported in the bowling attack by Amal Dalugoda (3-16) and Marcus Pratt (2-1) as the hosts crumbled to 72 all out in just over 14 overs, chasing just 108 for victory with six batsmen failing to score.

It was a superb display with the ball by Will Halton’s team after a total of 107-9 which the skipper admitted was under-par, albeit on a damp wicket.

Extras of 19 was higher than any batsman’s score as Denton’s Conor Woolley took 3-10 and Stephen Oddy, Semila Seyibokwe and Michael Shum took two wickets apiece.

But Egerton successfully defended it and with a number of teams above them not in action, they gained some ground on the top teams.

Skipper Halton said: “It was a win against the odds after an under-par score by us, though it was in wet conditions. Reduced overs meant the only way we could win was to bowl Denton out. We did that thanks to great bowling.

“Matt got a hat-trick and he is bowling really well for us now after a slow start – that was natural after so long out with injury.

“He has settled in quickly and is proving a great acquisition. It was good to get a game on and gain ground on those above us not playing.”

In Division Two, Astley and Tyldesley also bowled well to beat Wythenshawe by six wickets.

Skipper Jimmy Cutt took 5-12 from 10 overs and Jordan O’Malley chipped in with 3-16 as the hosts finished on 88 all out.

Wicketkeeper Dean Petrie hit an unbeaten 27 to top score in the reply of 89-4 inside 20 overs.

And captain Cutt was delighted to move back to the top of the table after a couple of defeats.

He told The Bolton News: “It was a good day for us after a couple of losses recently. We have been good with the ball so far this season and so it proved again. Personally, it was nice to get a fifer and do my bit. It seemed a bit drier in Manchester and we were pleased to get a game on and get it done quickly – it started to rain just after we won.”

In Division One, Edgworth’s match at Heywood was abandoned.

Results

Denton West 72, Egerton 107-9. Egerton won by 35 runs.

Heywood v Edgworth. Match abandoned.

Wythenshawe 88, Astley and Tyldesley 89-4. Astley and Tyldesley won by 6 wkts.