GREENMOUNT produced a signal of intent in their opening match of the GMCL Premier Division after claiming an eight-wicket victory at home to neighbours Unsworth.

But Bury endured a more difficult introduction to life in the top tier, losing by 83 runs at former Bolton Association rivals Flixton.

Andy Kerr’s Greenmount side enjoyed a comfortable afternoon at Brandlesholme Road after bowling Unsworth out for 175 and then taking just 31.4 overs to reach their target with the loss of only two wickets.

If Unsworth were in any doubt about the challenge facing them, then veteran Greenmount bowler Mark Stewart made it abundantly clear with an opening burst of 2-46, bowling out opener Chris Long for eight runs and having pro Chris Williams caught behind for 26.

Unsworth rallied, with Kevin Ramsey reaching a half century. But wickets continued to fall at the other end, and after Ramsey was caught by wicketkeeper Damion Keegan for 58 off the bowling of Ryan Senior Unsworth were only able to add another 28 runs.

Senior finished with figures of 4-44, while Phil Heaton bowled five maidens in his spell of 3-24 from 14 overs.

Greenmount’s overseas players, South African pro Travis Townsend and Australian opener Jonathan Sammut, both made half centuries as they passed their target with ease.

Sammut hit 16 boundaries (three sixes and 13 fours) in his knock of 89, while Townsend finished not out on 53.

Flixton’s Marlon Welcome-Goodman fired 94 from 49 balls to take the game away from Bury in a difficult opener. The hard-hitter helped his side to 293 before they were bowled out inside 44 overs.

Sura Malinga’s 4-44 from 11.4 overs went some way to restricting the damage, but the Radcliffe Road men were always on the back foot after Welcome-Goodman returned to hurt them with the ball. He removed two of the Radcliffe Road men’s top three batsmen as Bury fell to 38-3 before recovering via a half century from Mohammad Jehangir (67).

Adil Baig and Luke Perry shared six wickets to help Flixton snuff out the fightback.

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GMCL round-up

ELPM captain Paul Hewart was adamant he had no regrets after denying his side victory with a remarkable show of sportsmanship.

They had Winton seconds reeling on 163-9 chasing a target of 237 for victory when the umpire gave the visitors’ last man out lbw.

But Hewart called him back after hearing a clear nick of bat on ball before it hit his pads and Winton put on a final wicket stand of more than 70 runs to claim victory in the last over.

“I would make the same decision again as I believe in following the spirit of the game, and credit needs to go to Winton’s last pair who batted really well,” said Hewart. “Their number 11 was given out first ball, but he had taken the cover off it, so I called him back.

“The ball clearly hit his bat before his pads and the umpire later tweeted that he had got the decision wrong, so I had to step in.”

While defeat was tough to take for the captain, Hewart was encouraged by his side’s performance as they started life in GMCL Division Four West.

“Simon Carr would have claimed five wickets had I not called their last man back,” he added.

“Believe it or not, he was on a hat-trick as well. Ian Wade was also on a hat-trick at one point, while Kevin Dodson got a half century and both Gavin Greaves and Andy Lomax scored 40-plus.”

Elsewhere, the Bury contingent took centre stage in Division One, with encouraging wins for Elton, Walshaw and Woodbank, while Edenfield claimed a four-wicket victory at home to Wythenshawe in Division Two.

Andrew Rushton (3-41) and Josh Walker (3-39) shared six wickets as Edenfield bowled out Wythenshawe for 197, then club pro Paul Gallagher anchored their reply with 91 not out, ably assisted by overseas amateur Brandon Diplock, who hit 82.

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Results

GMCL Premier Division: Flixton 293 Bury 210, Flixton won by 83 runs. Glossop 169 Prestwich 238-5, Prestwich won by 69 runs. Greenmount 178-2 Unsworth 175, Greenmount won by 8wkts.

Division One: Elton 198-5 Worsley 66, Elton won by 132 runs. Walshaw 213 Woodhouses 155, Walshaw won by 58 runs. Winton 117 Woodbank 170, Woodbank won by 53 runs.

Division Two: Stand beat Brooksbottom. Thornham 316-8 Radcliffe 146, Thornham won by 170 runs, Edenfield 198-6. Wythenshawe 197, Edenfield won by 4wkts.

Division Four West: ELPM 236-9 Winton 2nd 237-9, Winton won by 1wkt. Elton Vale 116-6 Egerton 2nd 115, Elton Vale won by 4wkts. Tottington St Johns 189-9 Whalley Range 2nd 190-2, Whalley Range 2nd won by 8wkts.

Fixtures

Saturday

Premier Division: Bury v Glossop, Greenmount v Edgworth, Prestwich v Denton West, Unsworth v Heywood.

Division One: Astley & Tyldesley v Walshaw, Elton v Whalley Range, Worsley v Woodbank.

Division Two: Denton v Stand, Brooksbottom v Droylsden, Edenfield v Flowery Field, Wythenshawe v Radcliffe.

Division Four West: Elton Vale v ELPM, Flixton 2nd v Tottington St Johns.

Sunday

Derek Kay 1st XI Per-Fit Cup preliminary round: Brooksbottom v Glossop, Elton Vale v Egerton, Heywood v Elton, Littleborough Lakeside v Tottington St Johns, Prestwich v Radcliffe, South West Manchester v Bury, Stand v Wythenshawe, Stretford v Walshaw, Winton v Greenmount, Woodbank v Roe Green.