No home joy for Leek as rivals Modd win opening-day clash

MODDERSHALL & Oulton secured an impressive success as they defeated Leek at Highfield on the opening day of the NSSCL Premier A season.

- By Chris Travers

Leek had thrashed Checkley to win the Talbot Cup the previous weekend, but were on the wrong end of this result on home turf.

It took a recovery mission from the Modd men to set up the victory, though, after they were 30-5 early on.

Skipper Sam Kelsall proved to be a calming presence for the visitors, hitting seven boundaries in his 57.

And with support forthcoming from Danushka Sandaruwan (28), Elliott Massey (21no) and Jack Darlington (16), Moddershall & Oulton made their way to 167 all out.

Josh Hudson snared 3-21 for Leek, with Rory Corden striking twice.

Leek had their own top-order issues to contend with after sliding to 54-6 following the tea interval.

Their chase had got off to a nightmare start with Tom Moulton dismissed first ball.

Rory Haydon top-scored with 43, but Leek couldn't recover and were bowled out for 111.

Staffordshire paceman Sam Atkinson helped himself to 3-32, with Joseph Walley, Joe Hawkins and Sandaruwan all striking twice.

Porthill Park made a fine start as they won at Talbot Cup runners-up Checkley.

Tom Steele made 41 up front for Porthill Park, but it needed a halfcentury in the middle order from Matthew Coxon to steady the visitors.

Coxon made 66, featuring 10 fours, as Porthill Park finished their 45 overs on 205-8.

Spinner Nils Priestley captured 3-39, with Deepak Dhapola and Richard Cooper sharing four wickets.

Tom Carrigan (28) and James Abbotts (25) provided firm foundations in Checkley's chase with an opening stand of 46.

However, Porthill Park started to chip away at the hosts' line-up and although Priestley top-scored with 40they fell to 168 all out.

Overseas spinner Yohan Maddege was the architect of the visitors' win, taking 5-38, with Checkley old boy Ben Holt adding a couple of scalps.

Audley duo Steve Stolk and Rob Hemmings were in a hurry to complete their side's victory at Bagnall Norton.