Salford Blue Jays were edged out by 18 runs in a thriller against Ashton Allstars.
Returning to the scene of their narrow triumph in the first round of the cup, Salford came close to repeating their efforts in their GMACL league match against Ashton at Haughton Green on Sunday.
Having won the toss, Ashton elected to bat and saw useful contributions from the top four batsmen in their order. Pick of the batting was the big all-rounder Qamar who hit five sixes before succumbing to a clever slower ball from Josh Henry for 48 and the youngster Freed who top-edged a skier to the keeper on 47.
Of the Salford bowlers, Henry took 3-50 from eight, Jonny Wineberg 2-42 from eight, Yasir 2-19 from eight and Wasim 0-29 from nine.
Needing to score at 5.5 an over, Salford were up with the required rate all along due to a fantastic innings from Indy batting at number three. The problem was the main batsmen seemed unable to stay with him.
Although both openers made double figures, the middle order contributed scores of 1, 2 and 6. It looked for a time like Yasir may be the man as he hit two sixes and a four to make 22 but he was then caught of the bowling of Osman.
The score was moved on to 128-6 off 25 overs and Indy was by now going like a steam train. Wicket-keeper Shimon Harris then entered the fray and was resolute in denying the Ashton bowlers and manoeuvring the strike to give Indy as much of the bowling as possible. They added 54 for seventh wicket with Harris contributing only two runs but providing the vital support.
As the finishing line came within sight Indy’s heroic innings was finally terminated by an excellent catch on the boundary for 95. This came off 77 balls and included eight fours and five sixes. He departed to spontaneous applause from the entire Ashton team.
Another 40 were still required. Harris senior managed to add 15 with Mark Levington for the penultimate wicket but he was out hitting across the line leaving his son Chaim to see if he could finish the job. Although six more runs were garnered, he was run out with Salford just 18 runs short. Alas, there was to be no last wicket victory on this occasion.
SBJ visit league leaders Kashmir in the cup semi-final on Sunday.
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