BROOKSBOTTOM captain Paul Hopton believes his side will go into this weekend’s double header against Brinscall and local rivals Edenfield with renewed confidence following back-to-back league victories.

The Brox – who announced their decision to join the Greater Manchester Cricket League at an EGM on Tuesday night – claimed their first win of the season against Ribblesdale Wanderers a fortnight ago and followed that up by clinching a shock 48-run victory against high-flying Read on Saturday.

“We are flying now,” he said. “The confidence was definitely much improved because of the first win.

“The players are buzzing. It’s a much better dressing room to be in when you are winning.

“Both Brinscall and Edenfield are near us in the table so hopefully if we can get another couple of wins it will take us off the bottom.”

The start of the match at Summerseat was delayed due to rain and as a result the game was reduced to 28 overs.

Having won the toss, Brox elected to bat and after a steady start Hopton (14) was caught at mid-on, which brought Peter Betros to the crease.

Betros quickly got into his stride and hit a brisk 38, including three large sixes, before he was trapped in front off the bowling of Warren Eastham.

Ash Horrocks (16), Mike Bailey (17) added to the total before a late assault from big-hitting Zohaib Qureshi left Brox on 175-7. Qureshi contributed a sparkling 43 from 23 balls.

Mo Qureshi (5-75) and Zohaib Qureshi (5-40) continued their excellent form with the ball and shared five wickets each for the second week running as the visitors were bowled out for 127, with Warren Eastham (35) and Joe Marshall (30) the top scorers.

And Hopton was delighted with his side’s second win on the bounce.

“It was a shortened game, which probably played in our favour,” he said. “We’ve got a few guys who can give it a good hit and it was the scoreboard pressure that got us the win.

“Both overseas Betros and Zohaib can score at a quick pace so it was ideal for them.

“It meant Read had to come out and play their shots because we had such a big target.

“That gave us plenty of chance and Mo and Zohaib took advantage by taking five wickets apiece for the second week running.”