FARNWORTH Social Circle Under-18 team won the Jake Tatlock Trophy for an extraordinary seventh year running, defeating a gallant Tonge side by 24 runs at Castle Hill.

Batting first on a damp and green wicket. Circle began steadily, reaching 79 for 2 from 22 overs, thanks to sensible batting from Nigel Hallows and Andrew Ogden, who each hit 25. From that point, however, the innings deteriorated badly in the face of steady bowling by Cliff Collins (5 for 27) and young Ryan Senior (3 for 12), finishing on 131 all out from four balls short of the maximum 40 overs.

The Circle total looked a moderate target at best. However, opening bowlers Paul Grundy and Andrew Ogden had different ideas. Bowling with genuine hostility, they soon reduced Tonge to 21 for 3, removing Lancashire batsmen Andrew Kerr and Adam Rodzoch in the process. Much of Tonge's fate then rested on the shoulders of Danny Rees, who started very unsurely, but blossomed when spin was introduced into the attack, crashing fours and sixes to all parts almost at will. With wickets falling at regular intervals at the other end, however, it was a difficult task for Rees and eventually, with the score on 58, he took an ambitious swipe at a straight delivery from Neil Hyde and was bowled.

There was still time for a fine last-wicket stand of 40 between Ashley Wells and Mohammed Patel, but really this was Circle's day. The Man-of-the-Match award, decided upon by umpires John Roughton and Fred Elmore, went to Andrew Ogden for his 25 runs and bowling figures of 3 for 25 from 10 overs, a fine all-round effort.