Hale Barns 3rd XI took their season record to five wins from their opening five games as they capped off a terrific performance against Heaton Mersey CC with a 97-run victory.
Abdul Rehman scored a brilliant century on his second appearance for the club, while six different bowlers claimed wickets to complete an excellent all-round display.
After choosing to bat first, Barns suffered an early setback as Hamza Ali was trapped lbw for 4, but Rehman – standing in as opener for the absent skipper Farhan Rabbani – and Ahmed Choudhry built a healthy partnership of 51.
Choudhry struck seven boundaries in his fluent 30 before becoming Ismael Khan’s first victim, although Junaid Iqbal and Rehman maintained the momentum for the hosts with some quick scoring.
Rehman passed fifty for his maiden HBCC half century, while Iqbal raced to 39 off 33 balls until he was bowled by Khan with the score on 119-3.
It was then Rehman’s turn to play the role of aggressor, with Suhail Anjum (26) providing sensible support. The pair added another 80 runs to the total to put Barns on the verge of 200, with the former amassing a well-deserved hundred.
However, both eventually departed courtesy of run outs, while Muzzamil Tariq (10) and Saim Aziz enjoyed brief cameos before being removed by Khan (4-58) as the home side reached an intimidating 224-8 from their allotted overs.
In reply, Aziz (2-25) did damage early on by sending back both opening batsmen, including Shabaz Shafiq for 21 as the visitors stuttered to 25-2.
Aahil Choudhry then got in on the act with the wicket of former Barns player Usman Tarar (8), while Charles Mills got his name in the book after Mohammed Malik fell for 14.
Luke Lewis had looked composed at the crease for a run-a-ball 21, but John Pope ended his stay to leave Heaton Mersey struggling on 70-5.
More contributions for the away team followed, with Rob Lisney making 13 and Ross Bailey notching 19, but Anjum added a wicket to his earlier runs, while Tariq produced his second run out of the campaign.
Junaid Shah (16) also reached double figures, but Charlie Romer (2-19) soon secured two wickets before Anjum (2-16) doubled his tally to bowl out Heaton Mersey for 147 in 34 overs, with Asad Sheikh left stranded on 19.