Burslem hot on Little Stoke’s heels

Five sides picked up 25-point wins on Saturday as leaders Little Stoke held onto their slim two-point advantage over Burslem.

But Moddershall slipped further into the drop zone with Elworth.

Little Stoke completed a narrow 17-run win over struggling Wood Lane. Gareth Morris’s men posted 128 mainly thanks to 15-year-old Greg Massingham (41).

Steve Norcup (4-42) was the pick of the Wood Lane attack. In reply, Daniel Colclough ripped through the Wood Lane line-up to claim 6-37 as they were dismissed for 111.

Michael Brown spun Burslem to victory as they remain hot on Little Stoke’s heels. Brown took 7-35 from his 20 overs as Barlaston were rolled for 85, chasing Burslem’s earlier total of 230 for nine.

Teamwork was the key to Burslem’s total as all the batsmen chipped in. Samiullah Khan (41), Alex Bailey (33) and Michael Rowley (32) were the main contributors.

Hem Heath capitalised on a weakened Knypersley side to claim their fifth win of the campaign. Qasier Abbas (75) and John Sadler (39) steered Hem Heath to a respectable 167 for four off a reduced 40 overs a side game.

Knypersley’s reply started sprightly through the flair of Ben McGuire (43). But the deadly duo of Abbas (4-15) and Sadler (3-38) proved too much for Knypersley as they fell for 112.

Audley’s Craig Barker took incredible figures of 6-19 from his 18 overs to destroy Longton. Barker and Andrew Johnson (2-5) rolled Longton for 61, chasing 147 for seven.

Earlier, Richard Holloway (81) and Dave Fairbanks (27) helped Audley to a winning total.

Porthill Park came off victorious in their relegation clash with Moddershall, in a narrow 19-run win. Porthill posted 162 with Simon Cork (32), Matthew Hole (33) and Jack Beech (39) all contributing.

Asad Ali starred with the ball taking 5-56 but Moddershall collapsed in reply after Scott Oliver (47) and Chris Beech (35) had set the platform, Saeed Anwar (5-21) and Josh Butler (5-32) doing the damage.

Elworth held on for a losing draw against Stone. Stone posted 238 for six thanks to Phil Cheadle and Richard Harvey hitting 58 a piece. Chris Winter claimed 5-77 for Elworth.

In reply, David Toft (42), Yasir Ali (45 not out) and Chris Regan (40) ensured Elworth took a share of the points.