Egerton Defeated in Close Game

Westhoughton travelled to Egerton knowing anything could happen in this fixture, it was only a couple of years ago they were reduced to 16-8 at the same ground! How things have changed...
The hosts must have been fearing something similar may face them as Qaiser Abbas struck twice in the first over to leave Egerton 0-2, and they were soon 8-3 as Athulathumudali (their pro) ran himself out in crazy circumstances, setting off for a single despite his batting partner not moving and refusing to give his wicket up for the pro. Following this Egerton got a grip of the game thanks to a 125 run partnership and two 50s for Dalugoda (55) and Hornby (58) respectively. Matt Fanning (1-27 from 7 overs) broke the partnership, and Qaiser soon added another wicket to his tally to finish with 3-78 from 25 overs. There was another run out in the last few overs as panic set in, but late runs saw Egerton finish 190-6 from their alloted 50 overs.
In reply the visitors got off to a steady start reaching 40 before Rob Houghton (18) fell lbw. Ian Pilkington (21) joined Atiq at the crease but also fell lbw with the score on 76. With Atiq and Qaiser batting together the away side looked in cruise-control, despite the Egerton fielders best mathamatical jibes to remind them the run rate was at ''5s and 6s'', as those that was beyond their capabilities. Qaiser fell for 28 to a good catch on the boundary with the score on 127, and Atiq was dismissed for 52 with 137 on the board as he looked to up the run-rate. This gave the hosts hope and they seemed confident with the two 'big guns' gone that victory was all but assured. They seemed to have forgotten that the experienced Ste Parker (14) was at the crease alongside big-hitting Kieran Paisley who smashed three huge sixes in his innings of 41 not out in 26 balls, as Westhoughton finished 191-4 with 9 balls to spare to secure 6 points.