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Champs slip in season opener

29/ 4/2004

WARBURTONS Bolton League champions Walkden's lack of any pre-season preparation showed when they lost their opening fixture at home to Horwich on Saturday.

Horwich's South African Grant Long hit a masterly 85 not out in the visitors' 174-7 in the allotted 50 overs. John Smith 3-30 was the pick of the Walkden bowlers.

Walkden's reply after tea never got going and, with only Tony Keays (39) and Bernard Reidy (26) offering any resistance, the home side were dismissed for 131.

David White 3-35 and former Roe Green player Gareth Williams, making his debut for Horwich, 3-33 were the architects of the Harriet Street side's collapse.

This weekend Walkden face a trip to Eagley on Saturday and entertain Little Lever on Sunday, both start at 1pm.

Worsley let victory slip through their fingers against Colwyn Bay at Walkden Road in the Liverpool and District Cricket Competition.

On a bowler-friendly pitch, Worsley were all-out for 110. That Worsley achieved that was mainly down to a dogged innings of 29 in the middle order from Dave McQuade. Cameos from Richard Simms (25) and Danny McKeown (20) provided fleeting support but Worsley lost their last seven wickets for 30.

Gareth Walter took four early wickets, including two in the first over, to leave the visitors struggling at 16-4. However, Colwyn Bay, aided by some poor catching, regrouped and appeared to be cruising until a late flurry of wickets gave Worsley a chance before the last pair knocked off the winning runs.

Worsley will take a number of positives from a game where they gave the pre-season title favourites a scare, however, they now need to build on their promising start.