Cricket: Heywood Monkeys power into last 16

Heywood Monkeys powered their way into the last 16 of the Archway T20 competition with a decisive final Group game victory over Thornham Thunder.

Thornham were always up against it after being reduced to 38-5, although a battling partnership between Andrew Micklethwaite and experienced skipper Phil Deakin rallied them to a total of 95 by their end of their overs.

Heywood needed to get on with the chase to boost their run rate and give themselves a chance of topping the Group.

That saw Andy Dawson promoted to opener alongside Bobby Cross, and they did not disappoint.

The duo put together a stand of 80 in double quick time, with Dawson evoking memories of his fluent hitting when asked to open the batting in Cup games a couple of seasons ago and Cross racing along serenely.

They took Heywood to the brink of victory with almost half the overs left, only for Dawson to fall to a catch in the deep for 42 and Cross to play on for 47.

It left Sean Burrill and Wes Hunt to complete the formalities in extras, as the Monkeys reached 96-2 with eight overs and nine balls to spare.

Earlier, Bobby’s sister Kate had proved the pick of the Heywood attack with 3-15 from her four overs. The other wicket-takers were Andy Dawson and Travis Townsend.

A decisive victory for the Monkeys despite the absence of opening paceman Simon Dawson, taking the chance to rest a sore ankle.

Thornham Thunder

S Howarth c Townsend b K Cross 13
M Adnan c R Cross b A Dawson 3
T Sargeant c R Cross b Townsend 14
T Grey c Grogan b K Cross 3
A Micklethwaite not out 32
U Ahmed b K Cross 1
P Deakin not out 24
Extras 5
Total (for 5 wkts, 20 overs) 95
Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-11, 3-32, 4-37, 5-38
Fall of wickets: J Morley 4-0-15-0, A Dawson 4-0-24-1, K Cross 4-0-15-3, D Pawson 4-0-22-0, T Townsend 4-0-18-1

Heywood Monkeys

R Cross b Adnan 47
A Dawson c Fletcher b Ahmed 42
S Burrill not out 0
W Hunt not out 0
Extras 7
Total (for 2 wkts, 11.1 overs) 96
Fall of wickets: 1-80, 2-93
Bowling: C Heywood 2-0-15-0, R Fletcher 2-0-14-0, P Deakin 1-0-7-0, A Clough 1-0-14-0, U Ahmed 2.1-0-20-1, M Adnan 3-0-24-1