HAYDOCKS luck seems to be taking a turn for the better as all three teams enjoyed good results over the weekend.

On Saturday the first team travelled to Hesketh Bank in the Southport and District League, and came away with a good result.

Having been put in to bat the openers had a torrid time early on, coping mainly with the vagaries of the pitch which was very wet and very slow.

The loss of two early wickets did not help Haydock's cause as Billy Hurst and Nafees Din both received deliveries which kept low and were virtually unplayable.

Rob Burke, however, coped well with the wicket playing a variety of shots but showing the patience needed on slow wicket. Unfortunately frustration got the better of him when he was caught on 24.

Things got a little worse for Haydock as the Hesketh Bank bowlers took control as wickets fell at regular intervals putting the visitors in all sorts of trouble. Martin Clarke had other ideas and really showed that he has a talent when it comes to batting. Martin dug deep playing a circumspect innings finishing unbeaten with 20 valuable runs. Ian Brown provided good support his 15 was worth double that under the circumstances as Haydock reached 105-8 at tea.

Haydock's bowlers needed to be at the top of their game to defend the low total. Martin Clarke and Dave Burrows certainly asked questions of the Hesketh batsmen. Clarke bowled well never straying in line and length and got his reward claiming 3-9 from a seven-over spell which put Haydock back in the game. Dave Burrows also bowled well. His pace was simply too much for the batsmen and it was not long before he had claimed his first victim. At the end Dave was rewarded with a 5-19 haul and was well worth his man of the match tag. Andy Bentham was also in on the act his 2-17 put the final nail in the Hesketh Bank coffin as they were shot out for 67.

The second team playing at home against Hesketh Bank seconds and were soon on top. Batting first Derek Gibson was his usual assured self finishing unbeaten with a marvellous 86. Allan Lever was also at his best with 36. Mike Fogarty blasted his way to a fine 23 while Ben Hollandhit an excellent 32 not out as Haydock reached 2166 at tea. The joy was short lived as the rain came down after just a couple of overs to wash play out for the day and robbing Haydock of a certain win.

The third team had an easy win over Billinge seconds in the TNT West Lancs League Beardsley Cup.

It was awards night at the club on Saturday. Nafees Din became the player of the month and Dave Burrows was the first team man of the match.

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