BROOKSBOTTOMS skipper Richard Ernill has always had a likeing for the spectacular but his final over exploits at Sale Moor will take some beating.

The scorecard will testify that Brox took the honours by the narrow margin of one wicket.

What that doesn't explain is that the Summerseat lads, chasing the home side's imposing total of 234 for 6, were never in command until that final over, when, with the last pair at the crease, 13 runs were still required.

Two runs came off the unfortunate Yathagoda to lead Brox to the unlikeliest of victories.

Ernill was not the only hero on a day when the batsmen held sway.

Tommy Read's fluent 32 kept Brox hopes alive early in the innings when they had lost a couple of early wickets.

However, the key phase was a recovering stand of 68 for the seventh wicket between Josh Pellowe and Brian Boys.

This was a partnership of contrasting styles with Pellowe's swashbuckling approach bringing a quickfire 63 off just 33 balls.

Boys, on the other hand, was more circumspect, happy to wait on the back foot to pounce on any width.

His 48 was equally invaluable however and kept Brox just about in the game before Ernill's fireworks.

Earlier, Brox had toiled manfully on a good strip, backed up with a lightning fast outfield and short boundary.

Sale Moor had made a solid start which formed a sound base for the impressive Hampton to lead the home side to their fine total.

Pellowe and David Brown both had plenty of work to do with the ball and stuck to the task to stop Sale moving out of sight.

This unlikely triumph helps Brox maintain a nine-point gap over third-placed Euxton who they meet for a showdown at Summerseat next week.

IT was a tale of the good and bad for Bury last Saturday.

Their bowling and fielding were excellent as Winton were bowled out for 160 on a good pitch mainly thanks to James Richardson who took the top order wickets and ended with figures of 4 for 62.

The Sports Club side also had the luxury of four extra overs to help in the run chase.

However, no-one stayed at the crease long enough to steer the team anywhere near a victory total and they were dismissed for a paltry 83 with Joe Hayhurst top-scoring with 24.