Latest news with #AstleyBridge
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bridge hoping home advantage will help them upset the odds
Host side Astley Bridge will tackle the toughest test currently available in the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League when they take on Read in the second semi-final at Sunday's Birtwistle Cup T20 Finals Day - but they do so in confident mood. Astley Bridge are the only Championship side present, alongside Read and Little Lever and Padiham. The latter two contest the morning semi (10.30am). Bridge face Read at 1pm before a 4.15pm final. Read are the current Premiership leaders and Hamer Cup champions and have only lost twice in all competitions in 2025. But second-tier Bridge have won all six T20 games played so far this season, including five of those against top division clubs. 'That's good for our confidence,' said captain Syd De Silva. 'Everybody has chipped in so far, and we've managed to get the job done. 'I first talked to you before the Hamer Cup and said that we wanted to have a good cup run. Unfortunately, we were knocked out in the second round of that. 'But, after winning the first two T20s, I said to the lads, 'Come on, let's really try and get through in this'.' De Silva and company finished top of Group Three South, prevailing ahead of Farnworth, Eagley, Blackrod, Brinscall and Atherton. They then beat Tonge in the quarter-finals last week. Two things stand out from their campaign. One, they have used at least six bowlers in every match. Two, they have been helped by a host of important middle-order contributions with the bat. Batting all-rounder De Silva said: 'I've got two left-arm spinners, two leg-spinners, two off-spinners and four medium-pacers. 'I've got pretty much every department covered with the ball, and it's amazing as a captain. 'Rather than going top heavy with the bat, I spread it accordingly. What I do is I name the top seven batsmen and then say, 'You all pad up and stay ready'. 'You can name a top seven in order, but it doesn't always go like that. 'That's worked in our favour so far, and hopefully it will again in the semi-final and the final.' One of those middle-order contributors, South African overseas amateur Ulli Bronkhorst, has been their leading competition run-scorer with 187 from six matches, while Joe Ducker is the overall leading wicket-taker in the competition with 15. Their professional, Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Dhanushka Dhamasiri, will also be key to their hopes. Aside from winning a trophy, which is clearly special for any club, Bridge will be hoping success on the day can have a positive impact on their league form. One of the pre-season promotion favourites from the Championship, they have not really got going yet, winning six and losing five in 12 games. They are mid-table just beyond the halfway point in the summer. 'I've been a little bit disappointed with the league,' said De Silva. 'Of the five games we've lost, there was only one - Baxenden at the end of May - when we've really been beaten. 'The other four games, we were in winning positions.' De Silva says it means 'absolutely everything' for Astley Bridge as a club to be hosting Finals Day at their Sharples Park home. 'When we start the season, we talk about what we can do that's good for the club,' he continued. 'Trying to bring more junior players into the club is one thing. 'If we manage to go on and win this competition, that's good for the club and us as players. But a club that wins things is always good for attracting people. 'There was a lot of our juniors and their parents watching us in the quarter-final at Tonge last week. It was incredible. I'm sure it will be the same again on Sunday.' Last season, Read were second-tier champions and Hamer Cup winners. They have come up and are immediately flying high at the top of the Premiership and remain in the hunt for the double having reached T20 Finals Day. And Astley Bridge qualifying for Finals Day as a Championship club is a further indication of the strength of the NWCL. 'I don't think there's much difference in the standard between the Premiership and the Championship,' added De Silva. 'This league is going incredibly well, and the competitiveness is very high. 'I haven't played against Read yet, but they are looking really good. I'm not worried about it, though. 'We can definitely go and beat them if we play how we have been doing in this competition.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
'Illegal electricity connection' found on street as 10 homes forced to have power cut
An "illegal" electricity connection was discovered on a residential street in Astley Bridge at the weekend. Network operator Electricity North West said its workers came across the illegal piece of work while attending to an unrelated power cut at a home in Thorns Close on Saturday. Work took place on Monday to combat the illegal connection, meaning power was cut from 10 homes on the road, before being restored in the evening. One resident from the street said: "We came back from holiday to find we had no power. More: Marten and Gordon 'had plenty of opportunities to do the right thing', say police More: Man, 50, charged after video emerges of person 'hitching ride' on police van More: Police arrest wanted man after 'issues caused' in neighbourhood "We were given a generator, but, I mean, try getting to sleep at night when that thing is turned on." An Electricity North West spokesperson said: 'On Saturday evening at 6.50pm, we were notified of a power cut affecting one property on Thorns Close and power was restored later that evening. 'During repair work, an unrelated illegal connection was discovered in the area. "Supplies were removed from 10 properties while work took place on Monday and power was restored that evening.' Greater Manchester Police has been contacted for comment about the incident.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'We've lost everything': Family home devastated in house fire
A family house was devastated in a fire yesterday, Friday. Emergency services were called to the Oldhams Estate in Astley Bridge yesterday just after 5pm to reports of the fire. They said that the blaze started in a shed before spreading to a fence and nearby houses. One house was badly damaged and the family inside, a woman and three children, had to be evacuated. The woman, who did not wish to be named, said: "I don't know what else to tell you, we've lost everything. "It started on the shed and they don't know what caused it." Although no people were harmed in the fire - it is understood that a number of cats were killed. The fire service said they are unable to confirm how many cats died - but they said that they are aware of two. One cat was also rescued by fire crews. Lee Bowden, 49, had most of his fence destroyed in the fire, which spread to the scaffolding on the outside of his house. Luckily, it did not damage his property any further. The fire spread from a shed to a fence and a nearby house (Image: Newsquest) He said: "All I heard was a big bang on my door, but I was asleep, and that bang woke me up. "The neighbours were banging on my door trying to wake me up - and when I answered the door they're not there because they're running around frantic. "I came back in and heard all this popping and banging and then a lot of bits came into my kitchen - smoke and stuff. "When I walked out - all of this was ablaze. "I had a gas canister and motorcycle in the back so that was my main concern. "It was over here one minute, and the next it was over there - but I managed to drag them out of the way so they didn't explode." A group of three children were asking for donations on the estate to help out the family. They said: "We're just trying to help our friends out." Stephanie Owen, 26, a neighbour also started a GoFundMe to help her friend to rebuild after the fire. The family has had to leave the house where they've lived for 12 years (Image: Newsquest) She said: "I would like to support my neighbour - she's lived there for over 12 years and her children live there. "It happened really quickly but firefighters got there within five minutes of the phone call. "The fundraiser is just to get the children and her back on their feet. "They're basically restarting their lives all over again, and in the cost-of-living times it's hard. Have a story? Get in touch at "Thankfully all the family got out but she sadly lost animals." As of the time of writing the GoFundMe has raised over £1,200 and has nearly reached its target of £1,600. You can donate by clicking the link here. READ MORE: Washacre: Man suffers serious head injury in crash READ MORE: Breightmet officers issue warning after Dome Park incident READ MORE: Bickershaw: Huge fire breaks out at 'illegal waste dump' A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: "Shortly after 5pm this afternoon (Friday 4th June), four fire engines from Bolton Central, Bolton North and Farnworth fire stations were called to reports of a fire involving a shed and fence which spread to adjoining domestic properties on Cheviot Close, Bolton. "Firefighters arrived quickly and used two hose reels to extinguish the fire. "Crews were in attendance for around four hours."
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fire crews in attendance after shed fire spreads to houses in Astley Bridge
Fire crews have rushed to reports of a shed fire that spread to nearby houses in a borough estate. Emergency services were called just after 5pm today (Friday, June 4) and quickly rushed to the scene in Astley Bridge. They said the fire started in a shed before spreading to a fence and adjoining houses in Cheviot close. Firefighters remain at the scene and are using two hose reels to put out the fire and make the surroundings safe. A total of four fire engines from the Bolton Central, Bolton North and Farnworth fire stations are present. We will bring you updates when we get them. READ MORE: Washacre: Man suffers serious head injury in crash READ MORE: Breightmet officers issue warning after Dome Park incident READ MORE: Bickershaw: Huge fire breaks out at 'illegal waste dump' A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: 'Shortly after 5pm this afternoon (Friday 4th June), four fire engines from Bolton Central, Bolton North and Farnworth fire stations were called to reports of a fire involving a shed and fence which had spread to adjoining domestic properties on Cheviot Close, Bolton. 'Firefighters arrived quickly and are currently using two hose reels to extinguish the fire. 'Crews remain in attendance at this time.'
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Yahoo
Dawn raid at house today in the fight against drugs
Police carried out a dawn raid at a house in Astley Bridge this morning. The raid was as a result of information from members of the community concerned about drugs in the area. A spokesman for GMP Bolton said: "Officers from the Bolton North Neighbourhood Team have executed a drugs warrant at a house in Astley Bridge this morning. "Following information from members of the community concerned about drug supply in the area, your local officers obtained a warrant from the court. READ MORE: Farnworth properties raided by police in fight against drugs Horwich police arrest one as they carry out dawn raid at property "A small quantity of what is believed to be class B drugs were found during the warrant. "A 26-year-old man remains under investigation. "If you have information about criminality in your area, you can contact the independent charity, CrimeStoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111." The raid is the latest to be carried out in Bolton to crackdown on drug dealing in the borough. Last month, police carried out a series of simultaneous dawn raids in the Farnworth area as part of an investigation drug gangs in the borough.
