Cricket: Thornham CC Thirds beaten by Westhoughton CC Thirds

Photo: Jean Stanley

Young Thornham bowler R Baxter attempts to dislodge the Westhoughton middle order

Thornham CC Thirrd Team lost their inaugural GMCL Sunday Premier Division game at Westhoughton CC.

Having won the toss, new skipper Matt Collinge elected to bat hoping to make use of the fine afternoon conditions and post a big total.

Adnan (87) and Iqbal (33) made an opening stand of 131 inside 20 overs with Thornham looking to push onwards. However, the next 20 overs were not so successful, with Thornham collapsing to 164 all out - only one player managing to make it to double figures during the rest of the innings.

Some canny spin bowling and tight fielding by Westhoughton effectively choked off runs for the remainder of the Thornham innings with their young leg spin bowler Pindoria achieving figures of 6-45 off 11 overs.

In reply Thornham’s blistering pace attack of Ahmed and Shazad teared through the Westhoughton top order, with the latter taking two wickets in the opening over.

At drinks Thornham’s bowling attack had restricted Westhoughton to 80 for 4 and in the few overs leading up to the break a tight contest of cricket had emerged.

However, Westhoughton dug deep and reached their target with two overs of the innings left and five wickets to spare.