Anthony Axford NWCL Conference Round-Up 2024
By Coby Donnelly
In the latest round of the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League Conference Premiership Foulridge continued their poor 2024 campaign whilst Astley Bridge won their 4th game of the season with the aim to stay in the division next year, whilst Farnworth Social Circle sat at the top of the table having played a game more than those in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
The highest score of the division came at the Nori Arena where Read scored an outstanding 314-4 against Burnley Belvedere 2nds with Mohammed Zafran top-scoring with 108 complemented by half-centuries from Mohammed Zakriyah (70), Henry Higson (58 not out), and Elliot Lowes (51). Burnley was dismissed for 235 with Saqib Ali and Kashif Parvaiz both top-scoring with 39 after Jamie Woodall took 4-80.
Farnworth had a comfortable victory at home against Foulridge 1sts. The latter were bowled out for 97 after Sajid Mahmood took 3-29. Farnworth won the game by 6 wickets with Aaqib Javed top-scoring with 35.
Astley Bridge won their 4th game of the season as they visited Cherry Tree. Astley Bridge was dismissed for 136 with Ady Cooper scoring 54 after Jack Fenwick took 4-43. After losing 4 wickets in 6 balls at the start of the innings, Cherry Tree was bowled out for 104 after Paresh Patail took 4-38.
A high-scoring game at Piggott Park saw Farnworth Social Circle defeat Little Lever by 4 wickets. Little Lever was dismissed for 233 with captain Louis Partington top-scoring with 104. Social Circle chased this total after 42.3 overs with 4 wickets in hand as David Tonge scored 62.
Salesbury diminished their chances of winning the league after losing to Ribblesdale Wanderers at Church Meadow. Ribblesdale scored 147-9 off their 45 overs with Andrew Hutchins top-scoring with 49. Salesbury was then dismissed for 114 after Travis Blezard (4-25) and Jack Fielding (4-19) took 4 wickets apiece.
Moving into the Conference 2 division, Barrowford 2nds had a comprehensive victory as they hosted Barnoldswick. Barrowford scored a fantastic 315-6 off their 45 overs with Ansar Mahmood top-scoring with 129 followed by 63 from Shuja Rashid and 50 not out from Ather Waheed. Barnoldswick then scored 191-8 with Michael Rawson top-scoring with 49.
Padiham had a comprehensive victory as they visited Brinscall. The latter was dismissed for 81 after Jimmy Gray took 6-26. In response, Padiham chased the total after losing only 1 wicket with Rhys Meehan scoring a quick 52 not out.
Feniscowles won their 4th game of the season as they hosted Chatburn. Feniscowles was bowled out for 138 with David Crutchley top-scoring with 37 after Jamie Birtwell-Jones took 4-36. Chatburn was then dismissed for 90 after Joseph Callaghan took 4-43.
An outstanding game at the Noyna Rock Ground saw 712 runs in 1 game between Foulridge 2nds and Walkden. The latter scored 472-9 with half-centuries from Imran Ali (88), Umer Ishaq (84), Sarfiraz Jan (54), and Sehran Khan (51). In response, Foulridge was bowled out for a very respectable 240 with Daniel Kelly and Jabbran Sajjad top-scoring with 62 after Imran Ali took 4-76.
Burnley Belvedere 1sts won their 9th game of the season as they visited Kearsley. The latter was dismissed for 98 after Muhammad Yahya took 5-25. Burnley won by 6 wickets as Husnain Sharif scored an unbeaten 44.
Lostock moved into 4th place after a 7-wicket victory against Earby. The latter was bowled out for 148 with Lucas Lockley top-scoring with 39 after Darren Parr took 4-63. Lostock chased the total with 8.1 overs to spare after Stephen Kaye scored an unbeaten 58.
Eagley moved into 12th place following their victory against Oswaldtwistle Immanuel. Oswaldtwistle was dismissed for 104 and Eagley won the game by 4 wickets after Michael Craig scored 32 not out.
Tonge lost their 8th game of the season as they hosted Baxenden at Castle Hill. Baxenden was bowled out for 219 with Adam Nawaz top-scoring with 74. Tonge was then dismissed for 172 with Connor Thomson top-scoring with 70.
