asad ali with 8-55 for Porthill Park

League leaders Wood Lane lost by three runs when they travelled to Porthill Park. Asad Ali (8-55) reduced the home side to 150 all out, Ian Butler’s 70 not out stabilising the innings. Adam Ralph (5-28) helped to restrict Wood Lane to 147. Porthill move into second and have cut the gap at the top to 25 points.

Bottom of the table Little Stoke beat title chasing Stone batting first. Shaaiq Choudery’s 88 and half centuries from Richard Adams and Daniel Richardson guided Little Stoke to 257-9 declared. Russell Ballard the pick of the bowlers taking 6-64. Despite James Ecclestone (76) best efforts Stone were dismissed for 190 in the 55^th over, Gareth Morris picking up 5-44.

Burslem’s title hopes were dealt a blow again as they lost by four wickets against Hem Heath. Christopher Lowndes (60) supported a stuttering Burslem innings to 118.Mo Hussain then took the attack to the Burslem bowlers striking 41 off 28 balls hitting nine fours as Hem Heath knocked off the total in 18 overs.

Chris Beech guided Leek to a winning draw against Audley. Beach scored 74 not out in the second innings after Audley had set Leek 222 to win, Hamza Siddique (57) top scoring. Leek’s innings was reduced to 38 overs and they managed to reach 153-5.

Sohail Rauf’s century wasn’t enough for Sandyford to gain the winning draw when they travelled to fellow strugglers Knypersley. Rauf finished on 129 not out as Sandyford scored 217 from the 55 overs. In reply Knypersley reached 163-3 in their shortened innings Nayyar Abbas top scored with 77 not out.

Longton got the winning draw at home against Barlaston batting second. William Purser’s 101, well supported by Michael Longmore (64) helped the home side reach 260 all out. Tom Taylor and Suwanji Madanayake, both claiming three wickets. Longmore then took three wickets as Barlaston were restricted to 217 Leigh Matthews (48) was the highlight for the visitors.