AJK MISSED an opportunity to gain ground on the leaders of the Ashton and Oldham Cricket Alliance last weekend.

With leaders Star Eleven having their game against Foresters abandoned, AJK were surprisingly beaten at Waterhead Methodist on Saturday.

The home side batted steadily to make 134-8 with Bramham unbeaten on 42 and Lees hitting 36, while Jasim returned figures of 4-25 for AJK.

In reply the visitors could only manage 99 as Jasim top-scored with 38, Waterhead earning the maximum six points.

A close match at Greengate saw visitors Friends bat first and be dismissed for 131, Waseem making 39 and Rasheed 25.

With nine wickets down and 10 runs required from the last over, Greengate’s last wicket fell with their score on 123 to give Friends a maximum points win.

Simpson scored 21 for Greengate and Waseem bowled well to take 4-18 for Friends.

At Jay Hind, the home side compiled 169 –9 against Europa Exiles with Rikesh scoring an excellent 75 and Parth adding 44.

Finn (4-35) and Hodgson (3-22) were the main wicket takers for Europa who were left hanging on for a draw at the close of play, ending on 131-9 thanks to Hodgson (43 not out).

Jarvey had earlier reached 41 and Bradbury 37, while Parth took 4-35 and James 3-28 for Jay Hind.

There was a similar finish in the match between Copthorne and Newtonhurst where the former were all out for 152, Abbas top-scoring with 48, as Boyle took 3-33 and Courtney 3-37.

Newtonhurst closed their reply on 137-9, Zahoor Raza ending with 4-10 as Boyle made 63.

Sunday saw an excellent win for Radclyffe at St Mary’s HC where Chambers (4-17) and Wright (4-19) saw the hosts all out for 117 despite Lawrence’s 56.

Chambers (50 not out), Johnson (39) and White (21) then helped Radclyffe reach their target on 123-3 and earn maximum points.

Copthorne totalled 185-8 at Foresters thanks to Assim (83) and Ahmed (37), Bailey taking 3-40 for a home side who were dismissed for 110 in reply.

Although Yates made 55 for Foresters, Nakeel’s 3-37 gave the visitors the full six points.

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