1STs MAKE IT THREE IN A “ROE” TO STAY TOP OF LEAGUE!
There were contrasting fortunes for our teams on Saturday…our look back starts with the 1st XI’s top-of-the-table clash at Roe Green.
After winning the toss, the hosts elected to bat in the green & pleasant surroundings a six-hit, but a world away, from the hustle & bustle of the East Lancs Road. There was plenty of hustle & bustle from Scott Kirwin early on, as he tore through Green’s top-order with a remarkable opening burst of 4-1-4-4, leaving them 20 for 4 after 7 overs. Top scorer Justin Kenyon (56) and Jordan Stephens (15) steadied the ship, their 49-run partnership for the 5th wicket being broken by Neil Hornbuckle’s second ball. Kenyon reached his 50 with a six off our South African pro, but Neil had the last laugh in the following over, taking a catch to dismiss the hosts’ skipper, giving Scott his 5th wicket in the process. With the score on 129 for 8 in the 39th over, thoughts may have been turning towards an early tea, but Green managed to survive the full 50 overs, finishing on 173 for 9, thanks to an unbroken last-wicket partenership of 38. There were wickets for all four bowlers used (Kirwin, Bailey, Sonczak & Hornbuckle) – Scott’s 5 for 49 from 15 overs leading the way.
In reply, at 47 for 2 in the 12th over – Liam Parkinson (13) & Adam Hawley (16) back “in the hutch” – Neil joined Scott in the middle, and their partnership of 78 in just 10 overs would strengthen our grip on the game. Scott completed a good all-round display with a run-a-ball 46 before his dismissal, which was followed immediately by that of Matt Sonczak. Neil (72* from 65 balls) & Mark Dillnutt (17*) saw us safely home by 6 wickets, with nearly 20 overs to spare.
The win, our 4th in 5 games – the only thing to have beaten us this season being the weather – sees us move 3 points clear at the top of the GMCL Premier Division…..still a long way to go yet, though!
On to news of a rather more challenging afternoon for the 2nd XI…
Danny Hall won the toss, and put Oldham CC in to bat at Sycamore Park. With 5 “regulars” absent, the depleted team would find things difficult although, with the visitors only 97 for 5 at ther mid-point of their innings, there was certainly reason to be hopeful. That hope rather evaporated after the drinks break as Oldham were allowed to reach 252 for 8 from their 45 overs (Sajid Anwar 93* from 69 balls) – some 55 extras not helping the hosts’ cause. Mark Selby (4 for 45) & the skipper (3 for 58) shared the majority of the wickets.
In reply, we could muster just 78 from 26.2 overs as we slipped to a heavy defeat. Lewis Wilson top-scored with 18 – ironically on the day of his 18th birthday party – Ben Plunkett (15) and Nomi (12) also getting into double figures. Mohammed Munawar took 5 for 27 for the visitors, and Mohammed Omar finished the match with the dismissal of Plunkett & Jason Gledhill in consecutive balls, to record figures of 0.2-0-0-2. A bad day at the office for the makeshift team, from which we learn the lessons and move on to next week.
Reporter: Jon Palmer
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