Kearsley 1sts Away

Westhoughton travelled to Kearsley as the second half of the BCL season began with the sun shine and boiling temperatures, the total opposite of the game in April! After losing the toss and being asked to field, Westhoughton made early progress through Qaiser Abbas taking two lbw wickets, and Kieran Edwards dismissing long-time Westhoughton favourite Ste Parker, helped by a fine catch from Sean Dunning. At 39-3, Kearsley were in trouble but they advanced to 125-4 before Qaiser tore through the middle/lower order, finishing with figures of 7-84 from 24.3 overs. Spin was key from the other end late on as Atiq Uz-Zaman took 2-20 from his 10 overs.
In reply, Westhoughton saw their best opening stand of the season in the league as they reached 50 inside 8 overs, and 100 after 14.3! The opening partnership edned on 107 as Atiq (40) was caught on the boundary by Ste Parker. Rob Brown (1) and Qaiser Abbas (10) soon followed, and Westhoughton again missed out on what could have been a vital bonus point. Glenn Bullock was finally dismissed for 74 (from only 68 balls, with 13 fours and 1 six, as Westhoughton were 157-4. Ian Pilkington (20*) and Dan Naylor (7*) saw the away side over the line to record their fifth win in six league games, but with Little Lever beating Farnworth, they remain 22 points off the top spot.