Burslem spinners on rampage

Burslem were six wicket victors at Longton after spinners Saqlain Mushtaq and Michael Brown ripped through the host's batting line-up.

They took nine of the ten wickets as Longton were restricted to 163 in the Waterworld North Staffs and South Cheshire Premier League.

Only Mike Longmore (53) and Pete Wilshaw (37) had any answer to the twin-spin attack. In reply, Mushtaq completed an excellent outing as pro by hitting 38 not out to support a rapid 71 not out from Khalid Makik.

The victory gave Burslem, which signed the Pakistani international as a temporary replacement for Samiullah Khan while he awaited the arrival of a visa, three wins in three matches to open a ten point lead at the top of the Premier Division A.

Knypersley are second after a tense affair at Stone. Knyprsley’s modest total of 144 was based on 42 from all-rounder Rob James, and James completed a superb day by taking 4-26. He was backed up by Andy Marshall’s 3-35 as the visitors won by 21 runs. Dave Pashley was the chief run-getter for Stone with 36.

Newly-promoted Leycett and Hem Heath continue to struggle, with ‘Double H’’s last pair denying Leek at Highfields.

The home side’s meagre total of 135 was based on a solid 36 fro opener Rob Hayden. Hem Heath’s Brian Sims and D Milligan were the pick of the attack and it looked set fair for a first win of the season for Hem Heath.

But Richard Cooper’s 5-22 tore the visitors batting apart and at 58 for nine it looked over, but for a second week running Darren Sanders bated superbly with an unbeaten 18 not out to deny Leek victory.

Leycett were crushed at home by Wood Lane by seven wickets. The home side lost the toss and were soon in trouble and had no answer to Steve Norcup who delivered the superb figures of 7-19 from 14.4 overs. The formality of victory was quickened by Ashar Zaidi’s unbeaten 41.

Porthill’s poor start continued in yet another low-scoring match. Chris Beech’s five wickets ensured that Porthill only reached a total of 148 on their home turf, and despite a mid-order collapse Moddershall reached their target for the loss of seven wickets.

Beech followed up his bowling heroics with 41, and despite Joe Bridgewater’s four wickets the reigning champions won their first game of the season to move out of the relegation places.

Little Stoke moved above Audley in the table after a 49 run away win, taking a full 25 points in the process.

Little Stoke’s total of 192 for four declared was built around solid contributions from professional Richard Harvey (65) and Dan Hancock (40). In reply, only Sean Price was up to the test with an excellent 75, as opening bowlers Nick Bratt (4-37) and Dan Colclough (5-37) demolished the rest of the batting line-up between them.