As the season draws to a close, there were still a couple of big moments be had and opportunities up for grabs.
Our Harriers had two games to play against Rishton and Moorside, with an outside chance of winning the league should they be victorious in both. Louise Greenwood and Martha Smith report on how they got on in the respective games.
Our Hawks U15s travelled to Todmorden for a cup final, seeking to complete a treble and an invincible season. I’ll cover this one.
Our 3rd XI B travelled to Norden for a game that meant much more for the opposition and their chances of promotion than it did to us. Report on this one is by Jason Kayley
And our 1st and 2nd XIs brought their 2026 seasons to a close against Church, with captain Stuart Maher calling time on his remarkable bowling and 1st XI career. Jason Kayley also reports on these games
So for one last time for 2026, here’s how our senior sides – and under 15s – got on this week
Thursday 10th September
Harriers vs Rishton
Great Harwood Harriers took what they believed was another huge step towards retaining the league title with a convincing 47-run victory over Rishton.
But, before a ball had even been bowled, there was a very real possibility that there wouldn’t be any cricket at all.
With the weather threatening to have the final say, uncertainty hung over the match from start to finish. Thankfully, Gill was away on holiday, sparing the WhatsApp group from the inevitable barrage of “Is it still on?” messages. Every cloud…
When play finally got underway, it was reduced to a 12-over contest. Great Harwood won the toss and elected to bat first, wasting no time in showing their intent.
Rishton batted first and, from the outset, found themselves up against a disciplined Great Harwood bowling attack and sharp fielding display. The pressure was relentless, wickets fell at regular intervals and Rishton were eventually restricted to 49/8 from their allotted 12 overs.
That left the Harriers needing 50 for victory — and they made light work of the chase, reaching 50 before eventually finishing on an impressive 61/1.
A 47-run victory. Three valuable points. And, on the face of it, another important step towards retaining the title.
It was another proper team performance at a crucial point in the season, with everyone contributing and the Harriers once again showing exactly why they were still in the title fight.
But little did we know, the cricketing drama was only just getting started.
Later that evening, an email from the league landed which appeared to rule out the rearrangement of abandoned fixtures — seemingly including our washed-out game against Moorside.
Having already agreed with Moorside that we would replay the fixture on the final day of the season, the news came as a huge shock. Suddenly, our title hopes appeared to have been decided without a ball being bowled.
Not ideal.
After a fairly sleepless night, I spoke to Martha. Initially, we were both trying to be philosophical about the situation. But then we started looking a little closer.
Something didn’t quite add up.
Another weather-affected fixture involving fellow title contenders Littleborough had been rearranged only a week earlier.
So, quite simply: if they could replay theirs, why couldn’t we?
Armed with that argument, we contacted LCF and settled in for what felt like the longest wait imaginable.
With Sunday’s proposed rearranged fixture hanging in the balance, the clock ticked on.
Then, at 4:30pm on Friday, the email finally arrived.
LCF acknowledged that the rules were unclear and agreed that both clubs deserved the opportunity to decide the title on the field.
I had to read it twice.
The rearranged fixture was approved.
After 24 hours of uncertainty, the relief was enormous. Finally, it felt as though common sense — and, more importantly, fairness — had prevailed.
Relieved doesn’t even begin to cover it.
There was, however, one final twist.
Even if we managed to beat Moorside on Sunday, we would only draw level with Littleborough on points at the top of the table.
Which meant the title would come down to Net Run Rate.
Thankfully, LCF had recognised this too and amended the league table to include NRR, giving everyone a very clear picture of exactly what was at stake.
Every run would matter.
Every wicket would matter.
And suddenly, every ball of Sunday’s game had the potential to influence who would be crowned champions.
If we were going to retain this title, we needed everything to fall into place. We needed to beat Moorside, we needed the weather to behave itself, and we needed to make every run and every wicket count.
For the first time in 48 hours, though, our fate was back where it belonged.
On the cricket field.
Whether this was destined to be our year, or simply another twist in a season that had already delivered more drama than anyone ordered, only one thing was certain…
We weren’t done yet.
Saturday 10th September
Hawks U15s at Todmorden – Cup Final
Whilst all of these reports this season have focused on our senior sides, it should be noted that our Hawks junior section has continued to thrive.
You’ll have read last week (what do you mean you don’t read these) that our Under 13s reached a cup final and were narrowly defeated whilst our newly formed Falcons girls section played their first competitive games.
This weekend it was the turn of our Hawks Under 15s, who travelled to Todmorden looking to complete a perfect season. They won their league title, winning 10 games, with the other 2 falling foul of the weather, and earlier in the season won the LCF qualifier. Victory in today’s Cup Final would secure a treble.
Batting first, we set a highly competitive 169-3, Euan Rushton (48) and Ciaran Holden (51*) adding 94 for the first wicket before runs from Bertie Donnelly, Harry Corish, Joseph Cookson and Joseph Armer all contributed to push the score to 169.
In response, an early wicket for Jack Yates and then three run outs put us into a strong position, which meant all 10 outfielders were given the opportunity to bowl. Harry Corish, Harry Cousins and Alexander Sherriff also picked up a wicket each as we restricted our opponents to 100-7 from their 20 overs.
GHCC win the Cup and complete an invincible season.
Well done to all players involved, all parents and coaches who assisted throughout this season, and a special mention to Hawks Under 15s manager Sam Cocken, who oversaw one of the most successful junior seasons we have ever seen.
Here’s a photo of the Invincibles.
3rd XI B at Norden
The 3Bs travelled to promotion-chasing Norden on a soggy day hoping to get a game in and finish the season with a bang.
Unfortunately, the game was a bit of a damp squib as the game didn’t reach a conclusion.
Norden put us in and Captain Rick, the Grumpy Green Giant, and he shuffled his pack to make the most of the shortened 20-over game.
Atul blazed 31 off 26 with Darab hitting 25 off 21 to give the visitors a flying start. Outside of Ash’s 22, GHCC struggled to 109/9 from 20 overs.
With an exciting game in prospect, the Norden umpire had other ideas and at the first sign of rain he whipped off the bails and took the players off – robbing his side of a chance of promotion and meaning the sides shared the points.
Sunday 10th September
Harriers vs Moorside
League Glory for Great Harwood as Final-Day Victory Seals the Title
The match itself almost never took place – following the abandonment of an earlier fixture, uncertainty remained over whether league rules would permit the game to be replayed. With restrictions around rearranging abandoned matches, there was a real possibility that both teams would end their seasons without the opportunity to complete the fixture on the field.
However, after numerous discussions and email exchanges involving Lancashire Cricket Foundation (LCF), Great Harwood and Moorside, a solution was eventually found. Thanks to the determination, cooperation and goodwill shown by all parties, an agreement was reached to replay the match.
The decision ensured that both clubs had the opportunity to finish their seasons properly and let the outcome be decided on the pitch. Great Harwood were able to enter the final league game with the title still within their own hands, while Moorside were given the chance to complete their campaign competitively.
That spirit of collaboration was reflected throughout the day and helped provide a fitting conclusion to the season for both clubs.
Great Harwood Women signed off their league campaign in perfect fashion, producing a commanding all-round performance to defeat Moorside Women by 57 runs and secure the league title.
Going into the final fixture of the season, Great Harwood knew that victory would be enough to crown them champions. With the pressure on and everything still to play for, they delivered when it mattered most, combining disciplined bowling, sharp fielding and positive batting to complete a memorable season in style.
Great Harwood Restrict Moorside
After winning the toss, Moorside elected to bat first but found scoring difficult against a well-drilled Great Harwood attack.
Great Harwood’s bowlers maintained excellent control throughout the innings, regularly taking wickets and preventing Moorside from building any significant partnerships. The home side’s bowling was led superbly by Kristie Reader, whose economical spell of 1-11 from four overs, including a maiden, helped put Moorside on the back foot. Isabelle Gargan was equally impressive, returning figures of 1-9 from four overs, while Martha Smith also took a wicket.
Supported by excellent fielding and several smart catches, Great Harwood restricted Moorside to 58 for 6 from their 16 overs.
Batters Complete the Job
Knowing the significance of the occasion, Great Harwood approached their innings with confidence and maturity. Sarah McNaught top-scored with an unbeaten 21 from 19 balls whilst valuable contributions came from players all the way through the batting order, highlighting the strength in depth that has been a feature of Great Harwood’s title-winning campaign. Martha Smith scored 15* (16) with Mercedes Palmer also hitting doubles figures with 13* (8).
Moorside battled hard in the field, but Great Harwood comfortably amassed 100 for 3 from their 16 overs.
Champions Through Teamwork
While there were notable individual performances, this victory was another example of the team effort that has underpinned Great Harwood’s success throughout the season. From disciplined bowling and committed fielding to valuable runs throughout the order, the final league game showcased exactly why they have finished the campaign as league champions.
Season Conclusion
This victory not only secured three points but also confirmed Great Harwood Women as league champions, providing the perfect ending to an outstanding season. Knowing that only a win would guarantee the title, the team rose to the occasion brilliantly, producing one of their most complete performances of the campaign when it mattered most. The result is a fitting reward for a season of hard work, consistency and teamwork from everyone involved with the club. 🏆🏏
Here’s our Harriers celebrating their title win
2nd XI at Church
With the title already in the bag, it was party time for Miles’ men – well as much of a party as you can have at Church as the bar is rarely open aside from 1st XI games.
Having been invited to bat, Freddie Campbell completed an excellent first season at GHCC with 63.
There were notable contributions from Chris Oddie (26), Alex Kennedy (32) and Miles Corish (29) with number 11 Dom Steele chipping in with an unbeaten 18.
Posting 228 for 9, the Guru had the Church batters under his spell bagging 4-19 from his 12 over allocation. There was also a return to bowling for AK47 himself as he bagged a wicket with his “spin” bowling despite being bludgeoned around the park.
Church closed on 200 giving Miles another 10 points and another league title to add to his bulging trophy cabinet.
The side made their way back home to celebrate as the home team’s bar was firmly shut as the 2026 season was confined to the record books.
1st XI vs Church
As Lenny Kravitz once said: “It ain’t over til it’s over.” But on Sunday, it was over and out for Skipper Stuart Maher after 29 years of service to the club’s 1st XI.
After more than 1000 wickets, the skipper strapped on his boots for one last time in front of a packed house keen to say farewell as they took on Church.
Church put the home side in and Euan Rushton, who is going to need a wheelbarrow to get all of his trophies to the car after presentation night, marked the occasion and his return to the first team with his maiden first team half-century. It was a good time to do it as he bagged a whopping collection with a bumper crowd on.
He made exactly 50 before he sportingly smashed his own stumps over attempting a square cut, to prove he was more of a threat to his wicket than the bowling.
Several others got starts and Stu marked his final innings with a five-ball duck but still left to a standing ovation as his side posted 172.
Church were never a threat as they were shot out for 78 but there were a number of notable incidents.
Joe Cookson marked his first team debut with wickets with his first two balls but he couldn’t bag an incredible hat-trick.
Sheraz Ahmad earlier took two in two but again couldn’t complete the set.
And Stu bagged wickets 1013 and 1014 as his side took all 12 points with Church all out for 78.
As the skipper trudged up the steps one last time with applause ringing in his ears, it’s just remains to say thanks Stu, it’s been emotional.
Here’s Stuart’s Guard of Honour as he walks out to captain our 1st XI for the final time