Modd men make it three in a row to set pace at the summit

MODDERSHALL & Oulton are the only NSSCL Premier A with an unblemished record after three weekends following their latest success at Newcastle & Hartshill.

- By Chris Travers

The Modd men moved out in front on their own at the summit and with a 10-point advantage as they ended newly-promoted Castle's 100 per cent record.

Newcastle & Hartshill had opened their top-flight return with eye-catching victories over defending champions Hem Heath and Porthill Park.

But their bid for an early-season hat-trick came to an end at the hands of in-form Moddershall.

It was Moddershall & Oulton who took first use on their road trip and they made a positive enough start to the encounter.

Callum Hawkins (48) and Fraser Hawkins (21) impressed early on as they guided their side to 97-1.

There was a bit of a wobble as they fell to 107-5, but they rediscovered their composure as Joe Hawkins' 43 and a 42 from Dan Richardson enabled them to post 204-9 from their 45 overs.

Joe Thorne was the pick of the Castle attack as he helped himself to 4-49, while there were a couple of wickets apiece for Dan Gibbs and Sachithra Perera.

Newcastle & Hartshill had a handful of players make starts in their run chase.

Jonathon Gidman (35), Gamindu Kanishka (30), Harry Bailey (29no) and Perera (27) all got going.

But it wasn't enough for the home side as they were dismissed for 156 to end their winning start to the summer schedule.

Elliott Massey claimed 3-11 for the Modd men, with Richardson and Joseph Walley helping themselves to a couple of scalps apiece.

Audley saw their unbeaten run end as they lost a nail-biter at Stone SP, who in the process moved up to second in the standings.

It was a thrilling affair as Audley gave their pursuit of Stone SP's 266-6 a cracking go to leave the outcome on a knife-edge heading into the closing stages.

Half-centuries from Jack Redman and Freddie Doorbar laid the groundwork for Audley's reply.