Four sixes for Chorley opener
Josh Tolley continued his outstanding vein of form with a swashbuckling century- his first for the club in senior cricket- to spearhead his side's 36 runs victory over derby rivals Leyland at Windsor Park.
Tolley, who has notched six successive half centuries for the club in league games- thought to be an all-time club record by an amateur- hit a magnificent 101 off only 64 balls including four sixes and 11 fours in Chorley's total of 186 for 5.
Josh Tolley reaches his first century for Chorley against Leyland |
Leyland were bowled out for 150 in reply, Sam Sweeney applying the coup de grace with an astonishing bowling spell of four for 4 late in the innings.
Both Chorley and Leyland have each won two out of their three group games and both have matches remaining against 2007 T20 champions Darwen, who have lost their opening two games.
The group could well be decided on run rate. Leyland travel to Birch Hall on Thursday before Chorley host Darwen at Windsor Park on Friday 11 July.
The in-form Tolley dominated a rain-interrupted Chorley innings as he continued his domination of Northern League bowling attacks. When heavy rain stopped play Tolley had reached 63 out of a Chorley score of 113 for 2 in 14 overs. Will Moulton had supplied the early momentum with two big sixes in his 21.
Chorley players show teamwork to remove the covers after a rain delay |
After a 36-minute delay Tolley applied the accelerator, hitting successive sixes off Leyland captain Dave Makinson and another off Steve Cartwright before reaching his century in the 18th over. The 17-year-old student eventually holed out to Peter Cummings at mid off.
Josh Tolley continues his dominating of Northern League attacks |
Fresh from a big score in the Second XI, Ian Oakes supported Tolley in a third wicket stand of 93, hitting three sixes in his 29.
And South African pro Friedel de Wet hit a massive six in his late innings knock of 21.
Chorley added 109 in their last ten overs as Leyland's normally excellent out cricket buckled under the strain, Peter Cummings emerging with most credit from a spell of two for 25.
Leyland were always up against it, especially in fading light on a sodden outfield but they gave it a real go.
Openers Karl Cross and Chris Parkinson both fell when appearing well set and the main threat then came from professional Ameer Khan and the in-form Andrew Makinson.
Khan hit six fours and two sixes in an explosive 41 before he was brilliantly caught by Mike Critchley on the long on boundary.
Leyland pro Ameer Khan hits Nigel Eastham to the boundary |
And Makinson was going well, reaching 27 before batting partner Tom Reece dismissed his call for a quick single and he was run out.
Leyland looked well poised at 85 for 3 at the halfway stage but when Makinson departed they had slumped to 119 for 5 in the 14th.
Any hopes of a Leyland win disappeared as sixth-used bowler Sweeney came into the attack with devastating effect, polishing off the tail with a spell of four wickets in eight balls.
