DRAMATIC last ball exploits brought mixed emotions for two local cricket teams.

Stand's players were celebrating in front of their own supporters when a catch close to the boundary rope brought them a thrilling win in the Central Lancashire League.

But the Woodbank lads made the return journey from the heights of Glossop in the depths of despair following an explosive final over and last delivery boundary which cruelly ended their own hopes of success in the Lancashire County League

David Airey was charged with the responsibility of bowling the final over when Heywood were the visitors to Stand's Hamilton Road ground and amid scenes of mounting tension he came up with the goods, albeit in unexpected circumstances.

With three wickets still in the locker Heywood faced the over needing nine runs for victory and with two 2s and a pair of singles they scampered ever closer.

A dot ball was to Stand's advantage and it left three runs required for a Heywood win off the final delivery, Mark Wright pulled the ball to square leg where Brian Penchion safely clutched the catch.

Professional Mike Warden (50) and opener Phil Ramsbottom (35) had earlier steered Stand to a modest 129 for 6, but when Warden had both Heywood openers back in the pavilion with only 19 on the board, the victory chase was on.

Wright (46) and David Fare (26) threatened to make it an away win even though Heywood were unable to cut loose in the face of tight bowling and keen fielding, but ultimately it all came down to that nail-biting finale. Woodbank appeared to be on target to pick up the points when openers Phil Lowthian (56) and professional Neil Ridehaugh (50) forged a century partnership, but they were rapidly reduced to 164 for 8 as John Wilde waded in with 5 for 44.

Chris Humphreys claimed 5 for 74 to put the frighteners on the Glossop reply and the home side were clearly struggling at 138 for 8.

That was when Andy Dyson came to the rescue, blasting 17 runs, including a six, off the final over and clinching victory with a boundary off the final delivery.

Prestwich continue to trail Woodbank in the league table, although only by two points, and they missed the opportunity of leap-frogging their near neighbours when they tackled Denton SL who blasted 213 for 4 when they took first strike, professional Mark Stringer hit102.

Veteran Mike Bocarro followed up with 5 for 54 and at the close Prestwich were hanging on at 109 for 9.

Back in the Central Lancashire League the new month brought a new result for Radcliffe, their first win of the season!

They are still on the bottom rung although Saturday's 200 for 8 (Peter Skuse 54) before bowling out Ashton for a paltry 94 (Stephen Holt 6 for 42) should put the Racecourse men in much better heart for the second half of the season.

Unsworth struggled at Walsden despite restricting the home side to 151 for 7, professional Ramanayake 5 for 66.

The target should have been within their capabilities but Ramanayake (35) lacked support, Dykes and Austin took five wickets apiece and Unsworth were rolled out for 121.

Another side experiencing disappointment were Greenmount who had put themselves into contention for the Bolton League title, forcing their way into second place behind Tonge.

But a large slice of their good work was undone at Astley Bridge where the home side hammered 232 for 8 and then sent their visitors hurtling down into fifth place as they made only 106 in reply.

Steve Entwistle top-scored for Bridge with 73 and any lingering hopes Greenmount harboured were blown away by professional Mahboob who had match-winning figures of 7 for 47.

In the Bolton Association both Elton and Walshaw were on the receiving end despite a century from the former's professional.

Darron Foy hammered 102 as he dominated an innings lacking any other major contribution and Elton were all out for 146. Visiting Clifton knocked off the required runs for the loss of only four wickets. Walshaw were at Edgworth where the league leaders reached 171 for 4, David Charlson 50. The home side kept Walshaw at bay in spite of Rob Faulkner's 45 but the leaders couldn't take maximum points for Walshaw's last pair denied bowlers Chris Jones and Chris Locke who had each taken four wickets.

Ramsbottom hit top form on Sunday in the Lancashire League, just 24 hours after sliding to defeat at the hands of Burnley who made 171 for 4.

Opener Mike Brown (42) and professional Dale Benkensten (75 not out) were the major contributors, although Extras added 30 to the visitor's total.

Brian Taylor (29) and Ian Bell (55) appeared to have put the Rams well on course with an opening stand of 70 but a middle order collapse reduced them to 119 for 5 and in a nail-biting finale the Acre Bottom side were all out eight runs short of their target Kiwi professional Chris Harris performed admirably with bat and ball at Church on Sunday, his 84 runs helping the side to amass 226 for 8.

Harris then took 5 for 41 and Nick Riley 3 for 57 as the home side were routed for 127 after professional Brendan Creevey had to retire with a suspected broken nose after top-edging a Harris delivery.

The weekend also brought a double header for Edenfield in the Ribblesdale League but they managed just five of the 14 points at stake.

Chasing Oswaldtwistle Immanuel's 150 for 8 they slumped to an all out 95 while on Sunday they improved dramatically and went within one wicket of a maximum haul, Edenfield 173 for 6 before Barnoldswick were left hanging on at 122 for 9.

Eddie Hoyle was Brooksbottoms' hero as the Summerseat side moved up to fourth place in the Manchester Association.

In an exciting encounter with Stockport Georgians, who started the day as table toppers, he turned in impressive figures of 6 for 73 as the visitors were all out for 166

Earlier Brox had set a target of 173 for 9 with Mark Churchill falling just one run short of his half century.

Bury, too, ended the day ahead for after scoring 203 for 4 they restricted SW Manchester to 190 for 5.

Tops with the bat for Bury were Trevor Morton (75) and professional Owen Steverson (57) and then when the home side were reduced to 101 for 4 Bury were in the driving seat.

But Lennon (33 no) and Turner (65 no) defiantly took SW Manchester close to what would have been a sensational win.

David Airey was charged with the responsibility of bowling the final over when Heywood were the visitors to Hamilton Road and amid scenes of mounting tension he came up with the goods, albeit in unexpected circumstances. With three wickets still in the locker Heywood faced the last over needing nine runs for victory and with two 2s and a pair of singles they scampered ever closer.

A dot ball was to Stand's advantage and it left three runs required for a Heywood win off the final delivery, Wright pulled the ball to square leg where Brian Penchion safely clutched the catch close to the boundary rope.

Professional Mike Warden (50) and opener Phil Ramsbottom (35) had earlier steered Stand to a modest 129 for 6, but when Warden had both Heywood openers back in the pavilion with only 19 on the board, the victory chase was on.

Wright (46) and David Fare (26) threatened to make it an away win even though Heywood were unable to cut loose in the face of tight bowling and keen fielding.

But ultimately it all came down to that nail-biting finale and four more points for improving Stand.

Stand's players were celebrating in front of their own supporters when a catch close to the boundary rope brought them a thrilling win in the Central Lancashire League.

But the Woodbank lads made the return journey from the heights of Glossop in the depths of despair following an explosive final over and last delivery boundary which cruelly ended their own hopes of success in the Lancashire County League

David Airey was charged with the responsibility of bowling the final over when Heywood were the visitors to Stand's Hamilton Road ground and amid scenes of mounting tension he came up with the goods, albeit in unexpected circumstances.

With three wickets still in the locker Heywood faced the over needing nine runs for victory and with two 2s and a pair of singles they scampered ever closer.

A dot ball was to Stand's advantage and it left three runs required for a Heywood win off the final delivery, Mark Wright pulling the ball to square leg where Brian Penchion safely clutched the catch.

Professional Mike Warden (50) and opener Phil Ramsbottom (35) had earlier steered Stand to a modest 129 for 6, but when Warden had both Heywood openers back in the pavilion with only 19 on the board, the victory chase was on.

Wright (46) and David Fare (26) threatened to make it an away win even though Heywood were unable to cut loose in the face of tight bowling and keen fielding, but ultimately it all came down to that nail-biting finale Woodbank appeared to be on target to pick up the points when openers Phil Lowthian (56) and professional Neil Ridehaugh (50) forged a century partnership, but they were rapidly reduced to 164 for 8 as John Wilde waded in with 5 for 44.

Chris Humphreys claimed 5 for 74 to put the frighteners on the Glossop reply and the home side were clearly struggling at 138 for 8.

That was when Andy Dyson came to the rescue, blasting 17 runs, including a six, off the final over and clinching victory with a boundary off the final delivery.

Prestwich continue to trail Woodbank in the league table, although only by two points, and they missed the opportunity of leap-frogging their near neighbours when they tackled Denton SL who blasted 213 for 4 when they took first strike, professional Mark Stringer hit102.

Veteran Mike Bocarro followed up with 5 for 54 and at the close Prestwich were hanging on at 109 for 9.

Back in the Central Lancashire League the new month brought a new result for Radcliffe, their first win of the season!

They are still on the bottom rung but 200 for 8, Peter Skuse 54, before bowling out Ashton for a paltry 94, Stephen Holt 6 for 42, should put the Racecourse men in much better heart for the second half of the season.

Unsworth struggled at Walsden despite restricting the home side to 151 for 7, professional Ramanayake 5 for 66.

The target should have been within their capabilities but Ramanayake (35) lacked support, Dykes and Austin took five wickets apiece and Unsworth were rolled out for 121.

Another side experiencing disappointment were Greenmount who had put themselves into contention for the Bolton League title, forcing their way into second place behind Tonge.

But a large slice of their good work was undone at Astley Bridge where the home side hammered 232 for 8 and then sent their visitors hurtling down into fifth place as they made only 106 in reply. Steve Entwistle top-scored for Bridge with 73 and any lingering hopes Greenmount harboured were blown away by professional Mahboob who had match-winning figures of 7 for 47.

In the Bolton Association both Elton and Walshaw were on the receiving end despite a century from the former's professional.

Darron Foy hammered 102 as he dominated an innings lacking any other major contribution and Elton were all out for 146. Visiting Clifton knocked off the required runs for the loss of only four wickets.

Walshaw were at Edgworth where the league leaders reached 171 for 4, David Charlson 50. The home side kept Walshaw at bay in spite of Rob Faulkner's 45 but the leaders couldn't take maximum points for Walshaw's last pair denied bowlers Chris Jones and Chris Locke who had each taken four wickets.

Ramsbottom hit top form on Sunday in the Lancashire League, just 24 hours after sliding to defeat at the hands of Burnley who made 171 for 4.

Opener Mike Brown (42) and professional Dale Benkensten (75 not out) were the major contributors, although Extras added 30 to the visitor's total.

Brian Taylor (29) and Ian Bell (55) appeared to have put the Rams well on course with an opening stand of 70 but a middle order collapse reduced them to 119 for 5 and in a nail-biting finale the Acre Bottom side were all out eight runs short of their target.

Kiwi professional Chris Harris performed admirably with bat and ball at Church on Sunday, his 84 runs helping the side to amass 226 for 8.

Harris then took 5 for 41 and Nick Riley 3 for 57 as the home side were routed for 127 after professional Brendan Creevey had to retire with a suspected broken nose after top-edging a Harris delivery.

The weekend also brought a double header for Edenfield in the Ribblesdale League but they managed just five of the 14 points at stake. Chasing Oswaldtwistle Immanuel's 150 for 8 they slumped to an all out 95 while on Sunday they improved dramatically and went within one wicket of a maximum haul, Edenfield 173 for 6 before Barnoldswick were left hanging on at 122 for 9.

Eddie Hoyle was Brooksbottoms' hero as the Summerseat side moved up to fourth place in the Manchester Association.

In an exciting encounter with Stockport Georgians, who started the day as table toppers, he turned in impressive figures of 6 for 73 as the visitors were all out for 166

Earlier Brox had set a target of 173 for 9 with Mark Churchill falling just one run short of his half century.

Bury, too, ended the day ahead for after scoring 203 for 4 they restricted SW Manchester to 190 for 5.

Tops with the bat for Bury were Trevor Morton (75) and professional Owen Steverson (57) and then when the home side were reduced to 101 for 4 Bury were in the driving seat.

But Lennon (33 no) and Turner (65 no) defiantly took SW Manchester close to what would have been a sensational win.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.