Padiham and Read enjoy perfect weekend of cricket

Read captain Joe Marshall narrowly missed out on a ton against Euxton

Joey Marshall’s side booked their place in the quarter-final stages of the Twenty20 courtesy of a 39-run win over Earby at the Applegarth.

Ben Gorton top-scored for the visitors in their 114-run tally as he struck five boundaries in a kn0ck of 35.

Thomas Turner (14), Marshall (13) and Michael Taylor (19 not out) also reached double figues.

In reply, Yousuf Ali claimed four scalps at the expense of 29 runs from a four-over spell to help restrict the hosts. Gorton and Curtis Noone also claimed two wickets apiece.

Padiham progressed as Group Three leaders when beating Barnoldswick by seven wickets at the Arbories.

The away side finished on 135-4 before Callum Clarke’s batting display inspired the hosts to victory.

The former club captain hit eight fours and two sixes in making 57. Nathan Whitehead (12) and Jordan Baczkiewicz (14) reached double figures before Brannon Varley (28 not out) and professional Brady Barends (5 not out) saw them over the line.

Meanwhile, Marshall’s unbeaten knock of 96 - including seven fours and four sixes - was the highlight of Read’s win over Euxton as he formed a 139-run partnership with Ravi Jangid for the second wicket.

The paid man hit nine boundaries on his way to 71 as the hosts scored 211-8 at Whalley Road.

The Indian paid man then took 3-44 in the reply while Andrew Rushton and Jack Wood claimed two scalps apiece as the visitors fell 39m runs short.

It was an impressive all-round batting display that carried Padiham to a 136-run win over Brinscall.

Kevin Hitchon’s half-century was added to by Clarke (45), Whitehead (41), Varley (24) and Baczkiewicz (23) with Toby Burrows finishing unbeaten on 15 at the tail end.

Barends then did the business with the ball, claiming 7-21 while Whitehead added 3-53.