Circle break duck to progress in Trophy

9:59pm Monday 12th May 2008

FARNWORTH Social Circle won their first game of the season in the Lancashire Knockout Trophy in a rain-restricted match at Standish.

Circle made 165-5 with pro Shantha Kalavitigoda 65, Luke Perry 46 and Dean Eckersley 40. In reply, Standish made 91-5 chasing 131 in 25 overs.

Little Hulton progressed to the next round with a 43-run win over South West Manchester. Mustafa Bashir top scored with 82, Shahid Yousef 57 and skipper Mark Penny 50, as Little Hulton reached 266-8. In reply, the visitors were restricted to 223-7.

Walshaw took the honours in their clash with former Bolton Association rivals Clifton thanks to a fifth-wicket stand between teenagers Mike Watt 28 and Nick Murphy 22. Chasing Clifton's 137, Walsh slumped to 60-5 before the pair pulled it around to win by two wickets.

Walkden made light work of Penwortham in a match ruined by the weather.

The home side were dismissed for 101, with Sam Reidy and Praveen Gupta each taking three wickets, but rain interrupted the game leaving Walkden needing just 23 runs without losing three wickets. They managed it without losing a wicket.

Walkden now face rivals Greenmount in the next round after Zaidi's brilliant 198 not out destroyed Swinton Moorside.

Farnworth cruised into the second round of the National Knockout Trophy with a 26-run win over Bury.

Paul Rayment was undefeated on 99 as Farnworth made 223-5. After a storm, Bury, who were chasing 163 in 33 overs, were all out for 137 with Jason Raynor taking 3-30.

The rain washed out the match at Astley and Tyldesley where Eagley won a bowl out 5-2.

Elton bowed out despite 104 from skipper Dexter Fitton. Elton could only reach 211-7 in their 35 overs as they chased Sefton Park's 223-3, for whom John Jackson was unbeaten on 150.

It could have been much different if Elton had not put down nine catches.

Darcy Lever's Andrew Griffiths hit an unbeaten 109 and Nick Fawcett 49 as they amassed 211-6.

It proved too much for Bramhall who totalled 169, Chris Street taking 4-18 as in-form Darcy made it three wins in a row.

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