South Manchester CC maintained their excellent start to the season with an eight-wicket success over fellow high-flyers Ashton in the Greater Manchester Amateur Cricket League.

On a damp and drizzly afternoon, South won the toss and immediately asked Ashton to take the field in this top of the table clash.

Steven Allweis had immediate success by dismissing Haroon Ali with the very first ball of the day, and with his fifth ball also dismissed Ahmed and South were off to a flyer.

1-2 soon became 31-5 as Dan Franks joined in the fun. A devastating spell of bowling by him saw him take 2-9 off his first seven overs and Ashton were in trouble.

However, Ashton are not table-toppers for nothing and Shaan Ali, along with captain Kadodia, began to repair the innings. Ali took a few risks which, coupled with some strong hitting, meant the pair put on 81 before first Kadodia was dismissed for 27 and then Ali was finally out for 59, which included five sixes.

Ashton were 135-7 at this point, but the last three wickets fell without adding a single run. Simon Jeffries took a superb slip catch to dismiss Hussain and Akiva Lieberman rounded off a special day behind the stumps by stumping Zaman to add to his four catches.

Allweis ended with figures of 4-32 and Franks 4-35, whilst David Cohen chipped in with a couple to close the innings.

Elliot Koffman and Loz Newman began South’s reply, putting on 53 for the first wicket before Newman fell LBW for 24. Koffman was joined by Steven Allweis pitting on a further 47 for the second wicket before Koffman went for 37.

Akiva Lieberman joined Allweis and there were no further hiccups as South cantered home. Allweis finished unbeaten on 24 and Lieberman on 20 to round off a superb effort.