GREATER MANCHESTER AMATEUR CRICKET LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP ROUND ONE
ASHTON 86
SALFORD BLUE JAYS 87-9
Salford won by 1 wicket

Salford Blue Jays co-captains, Josh Henry and Jonny Wineberg, returned to the team after a two-week absence to help the Blue Jays advance to the semi-finals of the Greater Manchester Amateur Cricket League Challenge Cup with a one-wicket victory over Ashton All Stars. However, three run outs in their reply almost cost them dear.

Losing the toss and bowling first on a very green pitch with variable bounce, Salford were on top early on. Deemantha’s (5 overs 2-18) swing and Henry’s (4, 1-11) variation of pace caused early problems for an Ashton team determined to attack the bowling.

The introduction of spin and tight fielding put more pressure on Ashton, with Shimon Harris’s sharpness behind the stumps holding batsmen in the crease.

Kaushal (3.1, 2-6) and Ross Bloomberg (3, 2-25) found some turn to move the match in Salford’s favour. Jonny Wineberg (4, 2-11) kept the pressure on and, despite a late onslaught with three big sixes, Ashton finally capitulated for 86.

Salford’s reply got off to a quick start with Henry and Waseem scoring freely at five runs an over. However, some poor shot choices, and two awful run outs, saw them slump to 35-6.

Wineberg joined Kaushal at the crease to steady the innings with a 24-run partnership before another run out saw Kaushal (19) return to the pavilion.

Deemantha was then bowled to leave Salford requiring 15 to win with only two wickets remaining as Ross Bloomberg came to the crease.

Salford were four runs from victory when Wineberg (11) chipped to mid-on, bringing last man, Shimon Harris, to the crease. The epitome of calm, he and Bloomberg saw Salford home to the team’s delight and a semi-final away to Kashmir on July 26.