THE Bolton League Under13s played the Cheshire League Under 13s at Egerton Cricket Club in the league stage of the Peak Sports Trophy -- a competition they won in 1999.

Cheshire won the toss and elected to bat first on what looked a very good wicket.

Losing one at the score of 15, they found the going tough.

Scoring only 50 in the first 20 overs due to some tight bowling by Hough, Sikander and Barton, the Bolton League Captain Matthew Fray then changed the bowling, deciding to save some of Sikander's and Radzock's overs until later.

Dukes from the Cheshire League found the bowling more to his liking and scoring a quick 54 in 67 balls whilst Wood steadily supported.

He was eventually caught out for 54 by Darren Barton bowled by Andy Hough at the score on 113.

This started an excellent spell from Hough taking 4 wkts for 20 runs in this spell and 5 wkts for 26 in the match -- truly a fine performance.

The League rallied dismissing the Cheshire County League for 168, with Hough being supported by Tom Fairclough taking 3 for 17 in 7 overs.

Many thought 168 might be to much for the Bolton League's "new" inter-league side to chase but skipper Fray set the pace with 21 out of 27 runs off the first 2 overs, causing the Cheshire County League to quickly re-arrange their field to a more defensive formation.

Banister soon followed Fray back to the pavilion after being run out.

Hitting

Then Dearnley and Barton put on 40 runs before Barton was caught hitting over the top.

In came Walker from Horwich, who added 20 runs before Dearnley was caught hooking Morris for 21.

Walker and Sikander tried to quicken the pace against a very good bowling attack, Walker being run out for 24 at 115. Fairclough and Sikander represented the League in a last serious chance to win the game.

And when Sikander and then Fairclough went with the score on 133, the chances of a win were quickly disappearing when Hough was quickly dismissed for 2.

However, Smith and Rodzoch tried in vain to achieve the score but found the boundaries hard to pierce.

The Bolton League eventually fell 12 runs short -- ending a very exciting match.

They now go to play the North Cheshire League on Wednesday, July 27, needing to win.