Colclough returns for Little Stoke

Little Stoke have room to breathe at the top of the Waterworld Premier Division after their win against Barlaston.

Daniel Colclough is making up for lost time, having been out for several weeks with a broken finger, as he claimed 6-26. Shabbir Ahmed (2-34) and Nick Bratt (2-19) also chipped in as Barlaston were reduced to 82 all out.

Niroshan Bandaratilleke claimed 4-28 in reply but 28 apiece from Gareth Morris and Richard Adams helped to steer Little Stoke to a three-wicket win, leaving them 19 points clear at the top.

Burslem sit second after slipping up against Longton. Peter Wilshaw smashed his way to 111 as Longton hit 221-5. Phil Adams provided good support with an assured 52 as the Burslem bowlers struggled to contain.

And Longton’s bowlers polished off the job, Will Purser (4-17) and three wickets apiece from Dave Edwards (3-29) and Adam Whalley (3-24) as Burslem crumbled to 92 all out.

Elworth won the bottom of the table clash with Moddershall. Asad Ali claimed 5-39 alongside Alex Thorley (4-34) as Elworth’s batsmen struggled to 115 with David Toft the mainstay.

But Elworth professional Yasir Ali took match-winning figures of 6-23 with spinner Chris Winter claiming 4-16 as they rolled Moddershall for 60 with only five batsmen in the match reaching double figures.

Hem Heath made it back to back wins as they crept to a three-wicket win over Stone. Qasir Abbas was playing against his former club and shocked the visitors taking 5-15 as they fell for 153, Richard Harvey top scoring with 65.

Hem Heath were indebted to a fourth-wicket stand of 103 between John Cheadle (52) and John Sadler (58) as they headed home.

There was still chance for a few nerves as Hem Heath were reduced from 140 for three to 150 for seven but the three-wicket win was all but sealed.

Audley beat Wood Lane after Andrew Johnson spun them to victory. Skipper Dave Fairbanks hit an unbeaten 103 alongside 45 from Dean Bedson in their total of 232 for five.

Andrew Johnson took 6-92 in reply as Wood Lane failed to hold on, despite Daniel Brierley’s 74 and good contributions down the order as they finished on 222.