ATHERTON CC completed a successful last double header weekend when they took 14 points from Saturday's drawn game with Standish at Higham Park while on Sunday they completed a nine-wicket victory at Golborne.

Against Standish, Karl Brown and Paul McLoughlin opened slowly, seven runs only coming off the first six overs but then both picked up the pace and the partnership reached 44 by the 13th over.

Brown was first to go, caught for a confidently struck 20. He was quietly followed by McLoughlin who had looked set for a half century when he over-stepped and was stumped, 42 of his 45 runs came in boundaries.

Quickly departed

Paul Walsh and Phil Wakefield quickly departed for seven and nine respectively and the score stood at 85 in the 23rd over.

It was at this point that pro Mihir Diwakar and skipper Rob Clews came together to figure in a partnership of 114 scored at just under seven runs per over. Mihir was the major run getter, making a most entertaining 78 from 66 balls containing 7 fours and 4 sixes. He was ably supported by the effervescent Clews with 33 from 46 balls.

When both were dismissed on 199 Dave Charlson and Paul Brown pushed the total to 223 at the close of the innings.

The visitors reply could be described as Arindan Sarkar versus the home sides bowlers as besides the Standish pro, only two other batsmen reached double figures, Steve Knowles and Mark Eddleston with 10 and 14 respectively.

It was of great surprise to the Higham Park faithful not to mention frustration for the team when with the total on 137 and his own score on 92 Sarkar successfully appealed against the failing light thus denying the home side final overs in which to attempt to capture the final two Standish wickets.

For Atherton, Mihir and David Baines took three wickets a piece as their side had to settle for for a maximum 14 bonus points.

On Sunday Clews won the toss and asked the home side to bat. The first was bowled by pro Mihir was a maiden to Dale Tyrer but Philip Wakefield, chosen to share the new ball, clean bowled Ian McMillan with his first ball.

With deputy pro Alex Schofield and Chris Benbow scoring 21 and 26 respectively and Mike Cullen top scoring with 32 Golborne were bowled out for 139 in the 38th over thus giving the Atherton innings an extra 10 overs.

Baines was Atherton's most successful bowler with 5 for 32 from 10.3 while Mihir took 3 for 40 from 13, and Wakefield 2 for 47 from 9.

When the visitors opened their reply they soon lost Paul Walsh for 10 which brought in Wakefield to join Karl Brown and from then-on-in the pair conducted a master class of 'correct' batting.

Knowing that they had ample overs at their disposal they attempted nothing rash, treating every ball on its merits and the bowling was of good quality on a bowler friendly wicket.

Immense talent

Brown, aged just 14, again showed what an immense talent he has as he completed his second half century at senior level going on to remain not out on 62 while Wakefield demonstrated what an accomplished batsman he has become, finishing undefeated on 55. Both batsmen took an equal number of balls for their innings, 155, Brown hit 6 fours, Wakefield 5 fours and a six. Atherton taking a maximum 20 points.