Hampshaw's outstanding 8-25 got Gildersome out of jail after a batting collapse had left them in danger of defeat against Townville A.

Both teams started with a man short, but some agreement was arrived at between the captains to allow the missing persons time to catch up with their colleagues. Gildersome were missing their usual opener, Mel Wood, so Paul Pearson took his place at the top of the order as they went in first. On a hot sunny day it appeared to be plain sailing at first as stand-in Pearson did a good job in hitting 38. With fellow opener Jamie Denvers scoring 36 and Sohail Ibrahim 30 the home side reached 122-1. However, Pearson and Ibrahim then fell within three runs of each other and it was a real contrast for the rest of the innings. None of the other batsmen could reach double figures and Gildersome lost their last nine wickets for 25 runs to be 147 all out.

Townville bounced off the ground delighted with their efforts and had particular reason to thank Gary Mackereth as he finished with the remarkable figures of 7-9 from eight overs. With a low score to defend, Gildersome knew they had a great deal of hard work ahead, but they had an experienced seamer in their ranks in Hampshaw and he showed all his skill and know-how as his haul of victims soon started, Jonathan Booth out for one and Jack Hughes for three.

Max Elliott chipped in when he bowled Kristian Ward for 14 and from 30-2 Townville saw a steady stream of wickets fall until they were all out for 73. Hampshaw bowled throughout the innings in a 16.1 over spell and his wicket haul was backed up by a brilliant return catch to see the back of Liam Booth.

GILDERSOME A could not make it a double success as they crashed to a 130-run defeat at Scholes in Division Three.

They were all out for 69 with Tom McKenna (20) top scoring after the hosts had made 199-9.

Scholes were pegged back in their innings after getting to 106-0 with Hanif Mansoor taking 5-31 and Martin Morley 4-64.