Skipper leads the way

TOTTINGTON St John's skipper Clive Brooks proved the match winning catalyst at the weekend as Saints continued their charge up the North Manchester Cricket League Division One with an 84 run victory over rivals Glodwick.

After a dramatic middle order collapse had seen the home side tumble from 75 for 3 to 79 for 7, the tail end rallied superbly.

Brooks kept his cool and smashed an aggressive 63 not out - his first half century for a number of years - with able support from Matt Cotton and Mark Chadwick the Saints reached 182 for 9 from their 45 overs.

After the interval Saints' customary tight early bowling and fielding was rewarded as skipper Paul Meehan and Cotton skittled the top order, including the vital wicket of Glodwick skipper Mark Parkinson (brother of Tottington's Craig and Ashley).

The introduction of Chadwick was an inspired move. After one over the strapping all-rounder had recorded figures of 3 for 10.

Russ Brooks cleared up the last two wickets and the Saints recorded their fourth maximum point haul in six games to stay in third place.