BROOKLANDS visited Hyde at the weekend knowing a good result was necessary to put them in a strong position in the Cheshire County Premier League.

An impressive bowling and fielding display by Brooklands never allowed the Hyde batting line up to dominate.

Cheshire U19 player Mark Forster produced the kind of display that earned his call up to the County scene with an excellent 5-29 which restricted Hyde to 189 all out.

Brooklands were confident of scoring the runs required but suffered an immediate set back as Lee Marland was dismissed for 0.

Captain Neil Ogden (69) and Rob Edwards (36) steadied the ship and Brooklands looked set for victory at 140-3.

However, a batting collapse saw Brooklands all out for 171.

The second XI entertained local rivals Ashton on Mersey at Georges Road.

Only Alex King (21) and Gary Edwards (26) made any real contribution from the top order batsmen.

Only a 50 partnership from Mike Stephens (33) and Vernon Little (26) allowed Brooklands to set a challenging total of 146-9 in 51 overs.

The game seemed set up for an intriging contest until rain interupted the Ashton innings.

The lost overs did neither side any favours as Ashton finished twenty runs short on Brooklands three wickets from victory.

The Third XI had a disappointing trip to Birkenhead Park.

Having bowled Birkenhead out for 160, John Murphy taking three wickets, Brooklands offered little resistance, being all out for 59.

Only Rick Capey 25 reached respectibility.

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