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New therapeutic foster service receives positive Ofsted report

Helen Greaney
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New therapeutic foster service receives positive Ofsted report

There were celebrations all round for a therapeutic fostering agency based in the North after it was awarded ‘Good’ in its first Ofsted report.

Flourish Fostering opened its North head office in Stockport in September 2023 and supports children and young people across Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria.

The North service was inspected in March 2024 – its first inspection since being opened and received a ‘Good’ result overall and achieved ‘Good’ in each rated area from how well children and young people are helped and protected to the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The report commended  Flourish Fostering for always keeping “children at the heart of the agency”.

The report stated: “Staff and foster parents work together to deliver the best possible outcomes for the children. Foster parents feel valued, and both staff and foster parents advocate on behalf of the children. Children are also seen regularly by staff and build positive relationships with them.

“Foster parents benefit from the therapeutic model that is embedded and runs throughout the service. The ethos of the therapeutic model of care used supports staff and foster parents to use a trauma-informed approach to care. This supports foster parents to understand, manage and respond to children’s needs.”

In terms of leadership and management, the report remarked on how the registered manager is child-centred and described her as ‘committed’ and ‘devoted.’ It highlighted the fact that all members of staff share the same “vision of achieving positive outcomes for children.”

The report also stated that foster parents spoke highly of the advice and support they received from Flourish and enjoyed the “bespoke and personalised service” they received. It also commented that foster parents have direct access to the experienced therapeutic team, including the lead clinical psychotherapist when needed, and that all staff are ‘hands-on’ and practical with their support, no matter their role or seniority in the agency.

Kath Hamblett, registered manager for Flourish Fostering North said: “We’re incredibly pleased to have achieved a rating of ‘Good’ in our first Ofsted inspection. This rating is a testament not only to our amazing staff but our amazing foster carers and children, too.”

“We’re dedicated to helping the young people in our care to thrive, to feel loved, safe and supported and we’re grateful that Ofsted can see the incredible progress we’ve made over the last 8 months.”

There are currently more than 80,000 children in care in the UK and more foster parents are urgently needed to help look after these children.

Flourish Fostering is dedicated to providing safe, nurturing homes and therapeutic support for children who need it and is encouraging people in the North of England to consider a career in foster care.

Bold New Fashion Brand Launched by Neurodivergent Non-Binary Entrepreneur at Manchester Pride

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Bold New Fashion Brand Launched by Neurodivergent Non-Binary Entrepreneur at Manchester Pride

This weekend at Manchester Pride, the fashion world welcomed a fresh and dynamic new brand. A young, neurodivergent, non-binary, and LGBT entrepreneur proudly introduced FAGUE, a boutique fashion label that embodies diversity, inclusivity, and daring self-expression.

FAGUEfashion.com is set to make waves in the fashion industry with its unapologetically bold designs and a mission to challenge traditional norms. The brand’s debut collection, unveiled during the vibrant Manchester Pride celebration, draws inspiration from the rich diversity and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. Combining innovative design, superior craftsmanship, and an inclusive philosophy, FAGUE is poised to become a favourite for those who appreciate authenticity and style.

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Nick Hurley, the visionary behind FAGUE, shared their motivation: “Fashion has always been a way for me to express my identity and challenge the status quo. With FAGUEfashion.com, I want to create a space where everyone, regardless of their gender, neurodiversity, or background, can feel seen, celebrated, and empowered. And it doesn’t stop there, every single sale contributes towards LGBTQIA+ causes and charities.”

The launch at Manchester Pride received an enthusiastic response, with attendees captivated by the unique designs and the brand’s dedication to inclusivity. The collection featured a range of gender-fluid clothing, with statement pieces that are both fashionable and functional. From bold prints to versatile silhouettes, each piece is designed to make a statement while offering comfort to wearers of all identities. Unlike many other brands, FAGUE doesn’t categorise its clothing by gender.

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FAGUE is more than just a fashion label; it’s a movement. By embracing neurodiversity and rejecting the binary constraints of traditional fashion, it is paving the way for a new generation of designers and fashion enthusiasts. The brand is committed to fostering a community that celebrates individuality and encourages everyone to express themselves freely.

As the fashion industry continues to evolve, FAGUE is at the forefront of a new wave of designers redefining what it means to be stylish in today’s world. By working exclusively with LGBTQIA+ designers, makers, and suppliers, FAGUE is setting new standards for what fashion can be. With a strong online presence and plans for future collections, the brand is set to make a significant impact on the fashion scene.

For more information about the exciting new brand, pop along to their eye-catching clothing shop at FAGUEfashion.com where you can get free delivery on all orders over £69. Plus, to help celebrate Manchester Pride weekend and the launch of their new fashion brand they’re giving away a limited number of free £5 Gift Cards to the first people to visit faguefashion.com/pride.

England cruise to victory over Sri Lanka and take 2-0 series lead

Mitch Fretton
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England cruise to victory over Sri Lanka and take 2-0 series lead

England breezed to victory and took a 2-0 series lead against Sri Lanka on Day Four at Lords.

Gus Atkinson took five wickets on Sunday, rounding up the second Test win with a day to spare.

Atkinson secured his first century in the first innings and then went on to become the third England player to score 100 runs and take five wickets in a Test.

England were made to work for their win though.

Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva all scored half-centuries, but Sri Lanks were chasing a huge score of 483 set by the hosts.

Joe Root dropped two easy catches but once the second new ball came out after tea, it was over quickly.


It is England’s fifth win in a row, following the 3-0 win over West Indies earlier in the summer.

The final Test will begin on Friday, and they will have fresh motivation knowing they can have a clean sweep of wins across a Test summer for the first time since 2004.

Stand-in captain Ollie Pope said after the match: “A good win and some special individual performances from Gus and Joe.

“In an ideal world you want to lead from the front with the bat but we’re 2-0 up in the series.

“I haven’t contributed in the way I’d have liked but I’d still take that every day of the week.

“That’s the way cricket is sometimes – form comes and goes.

“The best players are the ones who can draw a line under it. Hopefully I can put a score together.”

Player of the Match Atkinson added: “I have had a good few games here, I don’t know what it is. I enjoy bowling down the slope but the batting, I’m not sure!”

For Sri Lanka, it was time again to reflect on what could have been.

They played well in spells but ultimately struggled to dislodge England’s batting rhythm.

Captain De Silva said: “We are a much better team than we have shown.

“I would have batted first [if I had my time again at the toss]. I got it wrong. But we did really well in the first innings when we were bowling.”

Sir Bobby’s Street Reds launches in Moss Side

Helen Greaney
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Sir Bobby’s Street Reds launches in Moss Side

Manchester United Foundation and Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation have launched a community football project – Sir Bobby’s Street Reds – as a lasting legacy to the former England footballer.

Street Reds is a free football provision run by Manchester United Foundation. Former Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney attended the celebratory event to launch the new project in Sir Bobby’s name at Manchester Academy in Moss Side.

Sir Bobby’s Street Reds, funded by the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation, will run on a weekly basis by Manchester United Foundation coaches.

The launch event saw more than 50 young people from all different backgrounds come together to take part in a football tournament. The children were later presented with trophies and gifted footballs, as a touching tribute to Sir Bobby’s belief that ‘the greatest gift a child could receive is a ball.’

Delighted to attend the event as a former teammate and friend of Sir Bobby, Alex Stepney said: “This is an endorsement of what Sir Bobby did for his entire career; even when he was playing, he was all about helping kids, and obviously he later had his own soccer schools. Now, with Manchester United Foundation arranging these sessions, it would mean so much him.

“When I joined Manchester United with the great Sir Matt Busby and Jimmy Murphy, you became part of a family, there was so much respect there, and that is what these kids are learning about, through Manchester United Foundation and Street Reds.”

An advocate for inspiring courage and resilience in youth, Sir Bobby’s legacy lives on in the charity work of The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation, whose work focuses on improving the lives of those affected by war and conflict. The partnership between the two charities has been ongoing for many years and the funding from Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation means that children from the Moss Side area – many of whom are refugee children – have a safe and inclusive space to play the game they love.

Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation chair, Stephen Cross, explained the decision behind the funding. “Sir Bobby’s Street Reds goes back to the core concept of Sir Bobby’s vision many years ago in creating the Bobby Charlton Soccer Schools. We believe that Sir Bobby would be immensely proud to see this reincarnation of his concept, which is now pointed towards helping victims of conflict. It is a very natural intersection of the elements, and we are delighted to team up with Manchester United Foundation to bring this to a reality.”

Sir Bobby is remembered not only for his on-field exploits, but his off-field charity commitments. The location of the sessions at Manchester Academy, where more than 70 nationalities are represented, is a poignant one – as Sir Bobby and his wife, Lady Norma, visited to launch the Foundation’s partnership with the school in 2016.

Chief executive of Manchester United Foundation, John Shiels, said: “Sir Bobby would have been in his element launching this Street Reds session, which now proudly carries his name. His love of the game, and the benefits that it could provide in helping young people grow physically, mentally, and socially, is the simple concept that he took to all corners of the globe through his soccer school.

“Now, being able to offer a safe space to children through this Street Reds session, where the young people can come together and play football in his adopted home of Manchester, would have made him so proud.”

Street Reds is a free evening football provision ran by Manchester United Foundation with 23 sites across Greater Manchester and beyond. Funded by the Premier League (PL Kicks), the sessions give 8–18-year-olds an opportunity to gain new skills and qualifications while bringing community cohesion to areas of high deprivation.

Manchester IT firm urges other businesses to support local charities

Helen Greaney
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Manchester IT firm urges other businesses to support local charities

Last summer, Greater Manchester-based IT Support firm, Aspect IT, announced that to mark 20 years in business, it would be committing to doing ’20 Good Deeds’ in the community.

And today the team is celebrating, as it has done just that – the 20th good deed is complete, and now the staff are urging other businesses to follow suit.

Director for Aspect IT, Peter Dorotiak, said: “We’ve always been passionate abut giving back and making positive change in our community. Even before our 20 Good Deeds initiative started, we were always looking for ways to support non-profits. We’ve done different things for different charities in the past, but this initiative was extra special for us given its nature and scale.

“We believe it’s so important, now more than ever, for businesses to get involved with the
charitable work going on in their community and do good, it’s a rewarding experience and
you meet many inspiring people.”

Aspect has supported a variety of different charities in a variety of different ways for the 20 Good Deeds.

Many Good Deeds started with the firm simply reaching out to a charity it had found
online and asking them what items they needed. The team at Aspect would then go
shopping for those items and deliver them directly to the charity in question.

The IT company also offered up their skill and expertise for Good Deeds, creating a free
website for Leeds Ukrainian Community Association and helping a local animal rescue set
up an online fundraiser.

The majority of Aspect’s Good Deeds were completed in their local Oldham and surrounding areas, but the team also ventured further afield to Leeds, Huddersfield and even Ukraine!

Peter accompanied Huddersfield to Ukraine Humanitarian Aid on one of their trips there,
where he helped deliver Christmas presents to orphaned children.

Looking closer to home, Aspect also sponsored a staff member’s mum who ran the Great
Manchester 10k Run back in May, raising money for her local Maggie’s cancer support
centre.

The charities Aspect IT supported throughout its 20 Good Deeds initiative include  Huddersfield to Ukraine Humanitarian Aid, Oldham Foodbank, Age UK Oldham, Pennine Pen Animal Rescue, Pennine Mencap, The Crib Oldham, Jolly Josh (pictured) and many more.

The firm hopes that by sharing the different ways it supported charities, that other businesses will feel inspired to help out and complete their own Good Deeds too.

Peter added: “Our mission to complete 20 Good Deeds may be complete, but as a business, our mission to make a positive change is ongoing. We’ll carry on completing more Good Deeds in our community in the future, as and when we can, and we’d encourage other businesses to do the same. Charity work is invaluable but for volunteers to carry on doing what they do; they need our support.”

Founded in 2003, Aspect IT provides an array of services including general IT support as well as IT consultancy, cloud services, software development, VoIP services, web design and social media management.

You can read about each of Aspect IT’s Good Deeds in more detail on its social media and blog

Taxi driver jailed for 10 years after raping customer

Helen Greaney
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Taxi driver jailed for 10 years after raping customer

A taxi driver who should have ensured a 29-year-old woman got home safely, raped her instead.

Dediki Mosi (37) of Aldercroft Avenue, Bolton was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court earlier today after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault, and sexual assault by penetration.

At 2.30pm on September 19, 2020, the victim said she had been for a few drinks and a meal with friends in Wigan.

Afterwards, the victim went back to her friend’s house, but later ordered a taxi to take her home.

Mosi, the taxi driver, assaulted the woman and raped her while she was in his car.

He was arrested on suspicion of rape in October 2020.

When interviewed by detectives, Mosi said ‘what rape?’ and also said that he used to have a working dash cam in his car, but on the night of the rape, it was broken.

Mosi was subsequently charged with rape in March 2022.

Detective constable Sally-Anne Skellern said: “Mosi spotted his victim and took advantage of her, she was alone after going out for drinks with her friends and just needed someone to get her home safely.

“Mosi should have been the person who got her home safely, instead he raped her in his taxi.

“Our thoughts are with the victim as she tries to move forward with her life after this ordeal. We’d like to commend her bravery and persistence in assisting us with our case of the last four years to get Mosi behind bars.

“Mosi is a sexual predator and his monstrous actions saw him prey on a vulnerable young woman. It is unspeakable and I’m glad he is behind bars and the streets are a safer place for women without him.

“We want all members of our community, especially women and girls, to feel they are safe when going about their daily lives in Greater Manchester and we are working with partners across Greater Manchester to better achieve this.”

Support available

If you or someone you know has been a victim of rape or sexual assault, report it to the police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency, or visit: www.gmp.police.uk

Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Record Year for UK Start-ups in 2023 with Nearly 1 Million New Companies

News Desk
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Record Year for UK Start-ups in 2023 with Nearly 1 Million New Companies

With new company registrations reaching 900,000, corporate service providers like Jestiyon are playing an increasingly crucial role in fostering innovation and nurturing talented entrepreneurs, which are vital for the UK’s economic future. Jestiyon offers advanced services to streamline business operations for international entrepreneurs entering the UK market.

The UK’s business landscape is thriving, with a record-breaking 5.31 million active companies and 900,000 new businesses established in 2023 alone. This surge in start-ups has driven the demand for comprehensive business support services to unprecedented levels. Jestiyon, a leading corporate services provider, is at the forefront of this demand, offering a range of tailored solutions to assist international entrepreneurs in navigating the complexities of the UK market.

Jestiyon’s services, which include company formation, accounting, and e-commerce consultancy, are designed to ensure a smooth market entry and ongoing compliance with UK regulations. These services are especially critical for foreign entrepreneurs who may find the UK’s legal and regulatory landscape challenging.

By delivering these essential services, Jestiyon not only supports business operations but also contributes significantly to the UK economy through job creation, tax revenues, and increased business activity.

Positive economic impact and future growth
A recent report from NatWest and Beauhurst highlights the dynamic nature of the UK’s business environment, underscoring the critical role that corporate support services play in sustaining this growth. Jestiyon’s innovative platform simplifies the process of starting and running a business in the UK, ensuring that international entrepreneurs can focus on growth rather than administrative hurdles.
The services provided by companies like Jestiyon are vital to the UK’s economic fabric. New Businesses established with the help of these services provided by Jestiyon contribute an estimated £800,000 in tax revenues annually, a figure poised to grow as more entrepreneurs take advantage of these offerings. Moreover, the sector not only directly creates jobs within service firms but also indirectly supports employment in the start-ups it helps to establish.
Facilitator for the establishment of over 1000 businesses
Jestiyon exemplifies the growth potential within this sector. To date, the company has facilitated the establishment of over 1000 nearly 400 businesses in the UK, integrating innovative features such as online document management and e-commerce integration to enhance client success rates. Ardıç Dağ, Co-Founder of Jestiyon, plans to expand operations further by establishing a dedicated UK centre, offering direct counselling and support to clients, thereby driving even greater economic contributions.
“Our mission at Jestiyon is to simplify the journey for international entrepreneurs entering the UK market. By providing an integrated platform that addresses everything from company establishment to compliance and e-commerce consultancy, we empower businesses to focus on innovation and growth. While we take care of the paperwork, entrepreneurs can dedicate their time and energy to growing their businesses and contributing positively to their communities,” he commented.
Top destination for global business start-ups
“The UK government’s ongoing initiatives to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups will further bolster this sector, ensuring that the UK remains a top destination for global business start-ups.
The future of corporate support services in the UK looks bright. As global markets become increasingly interconnected, the demand for integrated digital solutions, like those offered by Jestiyon, is expected to rise,” he added.

Luisa Zissman Shares Secret to Easing Back-to-School Stress

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Luisa Zissman Shares Secret to Easing Back-to-School Stress

As more than half of UK parents feel the pressure of the new school year, location-sharing technology offers a way to reduce the mental burden, reclaim time, and get more done.

Over 54% of UK parents admit they’ll be stressed when the new school year begins, and many agree that preparing children for the return to school in September is one of the most stressful periods of the year (52%).

These findings are part of new research released today by Life360, the family connection and safety company, which discovered that nearly half of parents are worried about how they’ll cope with the demanding term-time schedules when their children return to school this September. Furthermore, more than three-quarters of parents agree that tweens and teens are reluctant to think about returning to school until the very last minute (77%), adding to the mental load on parents.

Half of the parents surveyed acknowledged they struggle to get their children ready for the new school term after the summer break. Challenges include establishing a new routine after a more relaxed holiday schedule, planning and organising school transportation, coordinating extracurricular activities, adjusting bedtimes and wake-up times, motivating children to feel excited about the new term, shopping for school supplies, and re-establishing homework routines.

As parents busy themselves with making packed lunches and sewing name tags, ensuring the family’s technology is properly set up for the new term can offer peace of mind while giving children more independence. In fact, 40% of those surveyed have used location-sharing apps to help reduce family stress and manage busy schedules.

Luisa Zissman, podcaster and mother of three, including her teenage daughter Dixie, has teamed up with Life360 as parents look for ways to manage the demands of family life and reduce stress during the back-to-school season. She said: “Back-to-school season can be super stressful trying to co-ordinate the family’s busy schedule. It can be made even more difficult when my daughter is off doing her own thing and doesn’t answer calls or texts, or let me know what her plans are after school. But I’ve found that giving her the freedom she craves, while staying connected through Life360, really helps us both.”

When asked about the top things their children do that frustrate them as the back-to-school season approaches, parents cited ignoring calls and texts, failing to share updates on their whereabouts, not informing them of after-school plans, forgetting to charge phones, and coming home later than expected. The survey also found that parents send an average of five messages each week inquiring about their child’s whereabouts, with 59% sometimes being ignored, and another four weekly texts trying to find out when their child will be home.

As a busy working mother, Luisa understands the stress of managing a hectic household. She continued, “Knowing where she is without having to constantly chase her for updates has taken a lot of stress out of our routine and helped me better coordinate our family’s busy schedule. It’s comforting to know exactly when she’s on her way home or heading to a friend’s place. This peace of mind lets us navigate the back-to-school chaos with a lot less stress.”

With almost half of parents who use location-sharing technology with their children agreeing that it reduces their worry about what their children are up to (47%), the top reasons for using this technology are:

  • To ensure my child is safe (61%)
  • For peace of mind (56%)
  • To quickly find my child if something goes wrong (47%)
  • To reduce my anxiety by providing real-time updates on their location (45%)
  • To keep an eye on where they go to avoid dangerous situations (35%)
  • To build trust when I can see they are where they said they were going (28%)
  • To ensure they are home on time (20%)
  • To make it easier to plan transportation and avoid delays (19%)
  • My child doesn’t usually respond to my messages about their whereabouts (16%)
  • To ensure they are going to school regularly (13%)

David Rice, International General Manager at Life360, said: “The back-to-school season is stressful enough for both parents and kids without constantly chasing each other for updates on each other’s whereabouts. By ensuring the whole family is always in the loop, parents and kids can ease some of that anxiety and navigate the chaos with a bit more confidence.”

He added, “It’s no surprise that Life360 saw a 66% increase in UK registrations during the first week of September last year. With features like real-time location sharing, arrival and departure notifications, low battery alerts, location history, and SOS with emergency services dispatch, Life360 genuinely helps alleviate frustrations for parents as their kids return to school.”

2024 US Open: British No1 Boulter knocked out in New York

Alex Hoad
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2024 US Open: British No1 Boulter knocked out in New York

British number one Katie Boulter claimed ‘everything was horrendous’ as she was dumped out of the US Open in the second round on Thursday night.

The 31st seed in Flushing Meadows was a break up in the first set before crumbling to lose in straight sets to Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, a 21-year-old who had only played one Grand Slam match before this year.

Boulter, 28, broke early but surrendered her advantage to go down 7-5 in the opening set, and lost by the same score in the second, despite trying to mount a late comeback.

The world no74 has improved from being outside the top 150 in January and reached the third round at Wimbledon, beating defending champion Marketa Vondrousova along the way.

Boulter was picked up by cameras saying “everything was horrendous” to her team in the stands.

She only completed three matches on hard courts after representing Team GB on the clay of Roland Garros at the Paris Olympics.

The Spaniard will face either sixth seed Jessica Pegula or former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in round three.

Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, seeded four, has withdrawn ahead of her second round match against Jessika Ponchet, the world no143 from France.

In the men’s draw Jannik Sinner saw-off home favourite Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 to reach the third round.

England v Sri Lanka Second Test: Superb Root century paces England on opening day

Alex Hoad
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England v Sri Lanka Second Test: Superb Root century paces England on opening day

Joe Root cracked a record-equalling 33rd test century for England as the hosts piled on the runs on the opening day of the second Test at Lord’s.

The former skipper made 143 as England amassed 358-7, while Gus Atkinson scored an eye-catching 73 not out before stumps.

The tourists raised a few eyebrows when Dhananjaya de Silva won the toss and chose to put England in under blue skies on what looked a placid track.

However the decision looked a clever one as a succession of batters gave away their wickets cheaply, with stand-in opener Dan Lawrence edging to the keeper on the walk for nine while stand-in skipper Ollie Pope went for one, holing out of an ill-advised pull shot.

Ben Duckett made a neat 40 but with England stumbling to 82-3 and 130-4, Root formed the bedrock of the innings and added 48 with Harry Brook (33) and 62 with Jamie Smith (21), but it needed the seventh-wicket stand of 92 with Surrey’s bowling all-rounder Atkinson to add respectability to the scoreboard in the benign conditions.

Root equalled the record for Test centuries at Lord’s with his sixth and passed Sir Alastair Cook as England’s highest Test run scorer on home soil, also matching Cook for 33 tons in an England shirt.

He survived a staunch LBW appeal on 11 and inside-edged past his own stumps on 59 but eventually fell in a preventable manner too, miscuing a reverse scoop off Milan Rathnayake to Pathum Nissanka at point, but Atkinson continued to complete a maiden half-century and build another 50 partnership with Matty Potts off the back of four sixes.

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