Batsmen set the tone to aid Hem Heath's quest for win

HEM Heath fourths enjoyed some fine batting conditions to chalk up a comfortable victory on the trip to Betley seconds in NSSCL Division Seven.

- Chris Travers

The outcome of the match was pretty much decided by the halfway point as Hem Heath were in prime batting form to amass 288-5 from their 40 overs.

Openers Fahar Ul Islam and Sebastian Lewis set the tone for the visitors with a stand of 125.

Islam hit 10 fours in his 64, with Lewis' 61 containing eight boundaries and one six.

And that momentum was built on by Finn Walley (36no), Tahir Akram (33), Jack Sanders (30) and Will Sanders (24no). Tanashe Musonza claimed a couple of wickets.

Mark Dawson and Russell Barker replied with half-centuries of their own, making 62 and 52 respectively.

Dawson struck 12 fours, with Barker finding the boundary rope on nine occasions.

But it wasn’t enough for the home side as three wickets apiece for Muhammad Rahim (3-11) and Islam (3-19) limited Betley to 147-9 at the close.

Congleton seconds made it four successive wins as they swept aside the challenge of Checkley thirds.

The league newcomers made serene progress to 254-9 from their allocation in the first half of the contest.