A winning start

Westhoughton were put into bat and made a steady start with both Matt Trow and Glen Bullock scoring at over 5 an over.Eventually Matt was yorked for 24 bringing Hodgy to the wicket.Glenn kicked on to 50 making the most of two dropped slip chances before being bowled by Mark Warren going for another expansive drive.This rejuvenated the Heaton attack who ripped through the middle order taking the next 4 wickets for around ten runs with Kingy,Danny,Kai and Charlie all back in the tent. Hodgy and debutant Jamie McAndrew rebuilt the innings with a stand of 70+ before Jamie went lbw for a decent 20odd. Hodgy went to 50 with a 6 to mid wicket then looked to kick on surviving two dropped catches before dragging on for 73. Runi,Matt Fanning and Chris Trow all chipped in at the end before being all out for 281. Top scorer extras with 74 !

In reply Matt Fanning and Dan Higham toiled away without success with a straighforward chance at cover going to ground before Matt made amends bowling the opener at the end of his 7 over spell.Hodgy put down a sharp one handed chance at slip before replacing Matt in the attack with regular bowler Jason Dunning promoted to the 1XI alongside Nathan Blair. Hodgy had Robin Isted caught by keeper Chris Trow and had a stonewall lbw turned down to give Sandeep a reprieve who went onto grow in confidence and make 50 before cutting a wide delivery for Matt Trow to take a regulation catch at point.This brought Stuart Marsh to the wicket who survived being given out lbw after the Westhoughton team accepted that he got bat on ball.This nearly proved costly as Marsh hit 70 taking his team to within sight of victory ably supported by Mark Warren who made 29 with some big hitting.Once these two went wickets fell quickly and the relief was evident in the Westhoughton ranks.
All the bowlers were expensive with wickets shared around between Dan,Hodgy,Charlie & Matt.
Matt Fanning the pick of the bowlers with his 4 wickets

A good victory which will help sharpen up the team with pretenders Bradshaw next up.