Back once again with a weekend roundup from what was an eventful one. We’ve high scoring games, a couple of remarkable hundreds, wickets on senior debuts, and
All of our senior teams were in action, so we’re again splitting the reports between authors.
Louise Greenwood covers the Harriers matches,
Jason Kayley takes the Saturday men’s games
and I suppose I’ll do the men’s Sunday games.
Without further ado.. Let’s go!
Saturday
Harriers at Littleborough
The Harriers enjoyed a brilliant afternoon at Hare Hill, playing in front of a beautiful backdrop and putting in a strong team performance to hand previously unbeaten Littleborough their first loss of the campaign — a deserved 6‑run win in the Super8s League.
With the bat, Isabelle was outstanding, anchoring the innings with a composed 28 not out, supported by Darcy who added a calm 16*.
With the ball, Lou delivered a brilliantly economical spell, taking 2 wickets for only 4 runs. Gill claimed a vital bowled wicket, and Mercedes, Kirstie and Isabelle kept the pressure on. A late mix‑up between batters let Gill send a sharp throw to Kirstie, who removed the bails with ease.
A united, determined display that reinforces our intent to defend the league title.
A huge thank you to Littleborough CC for their warm hospitality and the fantastic post‑match buffet, which rounded off a wonderful afternoon of cricket.
3rd XI B vs Rochdale
The 3Bs lost out in another high-scoring game at home against fellow relegation candidates.
Ahead of the game the team lined up in National Anthem formation to sing Happy Birthday to usual captain Andy Brown.
The visitors won the toss and made first use of the surface and made 216-5 with Atul Thakor bagging two. Debutant Bertie Donnelly took his first senior wicket, the most notable moment.
The reply saw much promise with Shak hitting 57 from 99 balls and Hamza hitting 35, but as we needed to step up the rate towards the end, we found it was beyond us, and despite recording their highest score of the season, Rick Law-Riding’s men limped to 190-6, falling 26 short.
3rd XI A at Greenmount
There were more plot lines than the Usual Suspects as the 3As pulled off an incredible victory in a high-scoring game at Greenmount.
Nathan Sheridan, mooted to take over from Daniel Radcliffe in future Harry Potter films, used his bat as a wand and conjured a magnificent 107 from 78 balls as the A-Team racked up 258-6 with Freddie Campbell (47) and Ollie Roscoe (44) backing up the wizard for the visitors.
The game seemed to be up as the hosts cruised to 244-4 – needing just 15 runs to win.
The Captain Sam Newton – summoning up memories of Mike Brearley in 1981 with he tossed the ball to Ian Botham at Edgbaston to terrorise to Aussies – threw the rock to Harry Corish who produced a spell reminiscent of the great man.
Harry ran through Greenmount like a Porsche removing five batsmen to end with 5-20 as the hosts collapsed to 251. Euan Rushton more than supported this effort, making up for a rare lean day with the bat as he spun his way to 5-42 on a day where more than 500 runs were scored.
Sunday
Harriers vs Ribblesdale Wanderers
Ribblesdale Wanderers were a completely different outfit to the one we faced a few weeks ago — boosted by two powerful rounders players who sent 4s and 6s flying whenever anything drifted leg‑side. Even so, the Harriers stuck to the plan and took four wickets, showing real discipline and determination.
Isabelle led superbly with 2 wickets, a maiden over, and a brilliant catch at long‑on, with further wickets coming from Lou and Darcy. Amelia also took a magnificent catch at long on.
A special mention to Gill, making her debut as wicket‑keeper — nothing got past her all game, a fantastic first outing with the gloves.
With the bat, Amelia produced a standout 22 not out, including her first ever 6, a brilliant milestone and a huge boost in the chase.
Final result: Ribblesdale left The Cliffe with the three points, winning by 23 runs — but it was a huge team effort from the Harriers and plenty to be proud of.
2nd vs Walsden
Ah the highlight of my week, getting to write about the latest update in Operation Pisstheleague.
Of course I wouldn’t do that. It’s not nearly that straightforward, there are many difficult games to come, and more than anything I’d never be so disrespectful to the other teams in our division to reel off such childish dismissive whimsy.
And yet our title chasing, top of the table twos took another determined step towards potential future glory with a convincing 8 wicket win over Walsden on Sunday.
Our opponents won the toss and chose to bat. Despite an early wicket for Harry Corish they got off to a decent start, passing 50 before Paul Newton got into the wickets.
Paul has proven quite a challenge to opposing teams in recent weeks. He took 3 wickets last week and his 12 overs went for just 16 runs the week before. Today he managed both of those things, taking the wickets of Greenwood, Crabtree and Bailey and finishing his 12 overs with 3-16.
All of the Walsden middle order dug in with all of numbers 3-7 getting starts. But the introduction of Samuel Davies shaped the innings back into our favour. He took an impressive 4-36 and together with the returning Joel Houldsworth (2-44) bowled out Walsden for 167, claiming the bowling bonus points with 2 overs to spare.
So 168 to win. With some of the scores we’ve posted this season, our batsmen would have fancied their chances over tea.
Our response, however, couldn’t have got off to a worse start. Chris Oddie out before we had a run on the board
Euan Rushton was back opening the batting this week having been away last week, and he was joined at 3 by Alex Kennedy. Together they went about their business calmly but decisively, adding 138 for the second wicket and both passing 50 on the way.
Alex was out, caught on the edge for 54, but Ciaran Holden joined Euan and they saw us to victory. Euan finished 90*, having faced 84 balls including 11 fours and 3 sixes.
So 12 points, and defeat for second placed Enfield means we now have a 23 point lead at the top.
3 massive games all back to back now, as we play 3rd placed East Lancs, 4th placed Middleton and then second placed Enfield in a row. You feel if we can come through those games still leading the division it would be ours to lose.
Still title chasing top of the table twos! On to the next one.
1st at Nelson
Sonny signed his name up for tomorrow
And laughed with all his friends, at all the little men who borrow tunes they heard just yesterday
The nightmares have indeed come each time we’ve played Nelson so far this season. Our league game at home was lost by just 6 runs, whilst the T20 clash at Nelson at the end of June was even closer, with today’s opponents victorious by just one solitary run.
So yes, ahead of this one, my head was holding out for the welcome of a better day.
No captain Stu today, so into the team came Dominic Steele, with Matt Oddie taking on captain’s duties.
Whilst our 1st XI season had been in danger of fizzling out, a win at Bacup followed with a frustrating abandonment at Rishton meant that a win today could give rise to a late season surge.
Nelson have fared better and come into the game sitting 3rd, and with the top two playing each other today they would be looking to capitalise.
Matt won the toss and elected to bat, walking out with Jack Hancock. And as has become the norm in recent weeks they got us off to a solid and steady start.
They combined for 49 runs before a change of bowling brought captain and professional McGladdery into the attack and he had Matt trapped lbw, and Caleb caught shortly after.
This brought Thikshila de Silva to the crease for what would turn out to be something very very special.
He and Jack added 54 for the third wicket, the former contributing 42 as he took an instant liking to the spin of McGladdery and then Nazir.
After Jack was bowled by Nazir, Thompson took the wicket of Kaz Masood and GHCC were 114-4. Out to the middle to join Thikshila strode Siraj Ahmed, and whilst they took a while to get going, they started to put a partnership together. Having clubbed Nazir for a big six, Nelson introduced Sabir in the 33rd over and the pair seemed to like facing him, boundaries immediately starting to flow.
At the other end the familiar face of Neil Thompson was wheeling away. Aside from one aberration of an over (I bet he’s not gone for 14 in an over for a while) he was quietly plopping down dot after dot like he was a dot painter in a domino factory. His 15 overs went for just 45 runs, which in the context of what was to come, is pretty impressive.
When Thompson bowled the last of his allotted overs after 40, we were 192-4.
From this point on there was carnage. Siraj smashed his way to a 62 ball 72 with 8 fours and 3 sixes, but Thikshila surpassed this and then some. Overs 41-45 went for 6, 18, 14, 17 and 26 respectively and then whilst Siraj was out in the 46th over, there was no let up,
Thikshila passed 100, then 150 in no time at all, the rotation of the Nelson bowling attack seemingly having no impact. overs 47-50 went for 24, 9, 15 and 13 respectively, meaning we’d hit 144 from the last 10 overs.
Thikshila was out with 3 balls left, but not before he’s scored an incredible 168, smashed from 102 balls faced including 14 fours and 12 sixes.
So plenty to defend, and when the defence of the target started with three quick wickets, Sheraz and Thikshila combining to reduce Nelson to 28-3, it felt as though we may be in for an early finish.
But we know better than that don’t we?
Captainpro McGladdery and Gulraiz Sabir combined to add 194 for the fourth wicket, and to be honest didn’t look at any point in any danger. They managed to keep up with the run rate throughout and put them right back in the game.
Even when Sabir skied one to Kasim Masood, falling for 87, McGladdery continued to attack, reaching a deserved 100, and Nelson were somehow putting themselves in a position where they could win.
Captain Matt turned to Thikshila de Silva in the 43rd over seeking to pick up the vital wicket. He only had 2 overs remaining of his allocation. McGladdery of course got off strike immediately and it looked as though they would see off the over with Bradley facing. But they took a single from the 5th ball bringing an opportunity.
de Silva in, bowls, McGladdery looks to run it down to third. Its lifted a little more than anticipated! He’s gloved it!! Nathan takes the catch!!!
It worked! One shot at it and the danger man was gone. Huge celebration from Thikshila quickly followed by a pat of appreciation to the distraught batsman who had played so well to give his team a chance.
From this point the game was up. There was another wicket for Sheraz (3-68) and two for William Armer (2-65) and Nelson closed their 50 overs on 304-8.
Thikshila completed an incredible all round performance with 168 and 3-60 from his 15 overs. Took a catch too.
GHCC win by 32 runs. And for the first time this season we get the better of Nelson.
East Lancs at home next week; can we build on this and generate some real momentum to take in to the late season? I’ll be back next week to let you know.
There would be a compilation of his 12 sixes here but it seems Nelson didn’t switch their camera on until tea. I’ll instead leave you with a clip of Thikshila taking the wicket of McGladdery.
Au revoir