ADNAN Raees took all the plaudits from Daisy Hill skipper Steven Chilton after his dazzling display with the bat knocked Farnworth Social Circle out of the Peter Stafford Trophy on Sunday.

The Association Division side pulled off a huge shock by beating the 2016 Bolton League champions in a thrilling group-stage play-off at Piggott Park.

If one man deserved to be on the winning side it was Ryan Ayres who bowled a stunning nine-wicket haul in return for 86 runs.

But professional Raees’ resilience to knock 136 meant Daisy totalled 221 before they were dismissed.

David Tonge (60) and Jake Scicluna (94) started the response well but a late collapse, prompted by the bowling attack of Stephen Hodgkinson (4-92) and Raees (3-48), took the game to the final over.

Social Circle needed 11 runs from the final over to win, but they managed only five meaning Daisy wrapped up their second victory of the weekend as Ayres’ memorable bowling feat counted for little.

“We definitely did not think it would have ended like that,” Chilton said after the game.

“We have had five lads on holiday, and they were missing on Saturday too, but we still pulled together and got the job done.

“Our pro got 136 which was a phenomenal effort. I think the rest of us only got about 70 between us.

“Neil Tong bowled very well on Saturday but it was all about Stephen Hodgkinson on Sunday.

“Neil’s overs may have looked quite expensive but he did bowl well, it just happened that Stephen took the wickets – I had three super catches in there as well.

“I really do think our bowling attack is one of the best out there.

“The game went right to the wire and was hanging by a thread but every credit to our pro, he did what was needed.”

Meanwhile, Adlington progressed to the quarter-finals at the expense of Little Lever.

Professional Majid Majeed bowled 8-40 as the Victory Road side were bowled out for 97.

And the target was seen off with four wickets to spare as Adrian van Ransburg hit an unbeaten 29.

Results

Farnworth Social Circle 215-8, Daisy Hill 221. Daisy Hill won by 6 runs.

Little Lever 97, Adlington 98-6. Adlington won by 4 wkts.