EARLESTOWN visited Mossley Hill and returned with the points mainly due to the batsmen finally hitting form.

Batting first, openers G. Jones (20) and P. Harrison (21) did a fine job.

Then Dave Ashton (30) and M. Cheshire (72), making his seasonal debut, punished some loose bowling and with all the tail also contributing Earlestown finished on 180-8.

In reply, good bowling by P. Jay (4-15) kept the home side under control although I. Callaghan top with 59 until being run-out by J. Barron. Mossley Hill then batted out to finish on 120-6.

The Sunday team entertained Billinge and were beaten by a one-man show of brute-strength batting from S. Smith (153 n.o.), who took the bowling apart as the visitors declared on 230-3.

After tea Earlestown made a speedy response with C. Edge (36) and R. Jones (10) taking the score to 50 before the former departed to a rash shot.

L. Lomas (14) and J. Allan (8) intially looked like continuing the fight, but wrong shot selection proved their undoing and with the tail always under pressure the game concluded when skipper Melling (5) fell to his opposite number.

Match balls sponsored this week by Newton Blinds.