REIGNING Bolton League champions Tonge lost in a thrilling on the first day of the Bolton League campaign.
Tonge's demise came at the hands of Greenmount but after suffering the loss of a number of last season's title winningg side, perhaps the outcome was not too unexpected.
Tonge were restricted to 144-7 after Saeed Anwar junior had picked up 5-67 while home poro Nisar top scored with 56. Against that Greenmount were indebted to Mark Fallon who batted magnificently for an unbeaten 72 to win the game for his side, while Tonge's only consolation came from the reliable Ian Taylor, who had the best bowling figures of the day, 8-81.
Over at Springfield Road, one of the players who has left Tonge, Jon Kerrigan, helped Little Lever to a shock win over Kearsley.
There looked nothing for his side when they were dismissed for 116, Marcus McCheyne collecting 6-62, but Kerrigan then took 3-16 while his pro DeSilva did even better for 6-34 to bowl out Kearsley for 113 - three short of victory.
Results: Astley Bridge 117 lost to Eagley 120-5; Egerton 120 drew with Heaton 51-1 rsp; Farnworth 133 lost to Horwich 204-5; Farnworth SC 61 lost to Westhoughton 62-0; Kearsley 113 lost to Little Lever 116; Tonge 144-7 lost to Greenmount 147-8; Walkden 226-9 drew with Bradshaw 139-8.
BOLTON LEAGUE
TWO new professionals made their mark on the Bolton League season with opening performances that suggests there could be a lot more to come from the bat of Australian Michael Klinger and the bowling of South African Wade
Wingfield.
Walkden pro Klinger, who has never scored a century in first class cricket - his captain at Victoria once declared to leave him at the crease on 99 not out - quickly reached the three figure mark in this country with 100 in Walkden's 226-9 that included a century partnership with David Smith.
After that it was the turn of Bradshaw's Wingfield to show what he can do and he responded with a second spell that brought him figures of 7-72.
Bradshaw's reply was 139-8 to draw the game with Mark Ward 46 and Bernard Reidy Walkden's top bowler, taking 4-23.
Westhoughton new pro, West Indian paceman Dwayne Smith also excelled. He took 5-20 and Duncan Preston 3-25 to rout Farbnworth SC for 61 in a ten wicket win.
There was also a disappointing score at Astley Bridge where the home side were all out for 117, Brent Richards 4-35 before Eagley new pro Mick O'Rourke hit 68 not out in a five wickets win.
Horwich showed they will again figure this season as they reached 204-5 at Farnworth, Jon Partington 72 not out, before David White 4-49 and Andy Taylor 3-41 saw the home side all out for 133. New Farnworth pro, Abbas Ali from India took 4-73 and hit 27 in the game while Neil Hyde top scored for 36.
At Egerton rain robbed Heaton of what looked a likely victory. They bowled the home side out for 120, Hirwani 4-62 before reaching 51-1 when the rain came down. Paul Rayment looked set for a good score finishing on 33 not
out.
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