This week’s roundup is once again brought to you by guest writers Kirstie Reader and Jason Kayley.
Ok I might still do the T20
Friday
T20 at Nelson
I’ve been starting these T20 reports with songs, but for Nelson away, It was hard to find one that was appropriate. I need a song about happiness stolen away by a last minute heartbreak.
For yes, our unbeaten T20 campaign would come to an end tonight,
Nelson’s ground sits in the corner of Victoria Park, but has always felt quite enclosed. One side is wedged in by the not insignificant banking up to the M65 motorway, whilst the other has trees lining the boundary fence. The recent construction of a massive police station at the far end has only added to this feeling and it could seem oppressive if you didn’t know better.
But this could not be further from the case. On arrival, we were met with a vibrant bustling community hub, with well-attended All Stars and Dynamos sessions in progress as well as junior training. A pizza van was on site in addition to the club’s own catering options and the bar was packed with people excited for an evening’s T20 cricket.
Earlier rain had meant the covers were on, but with this having stopped, and no further rain forecast, these were soon off and it was clear a game would take place. We would have 18 overs per side.
We came into the game sitting top of the JW Lees Founders group, with 3 wins from 3, Nelson sat 3rd, with 2 wins and one defeat. Victory today would send us through to the quarter finals, whilst defeat would bring Nelson level on points with us and mean we would go into next week’s final group game against Colne knowing we would likely need a victory to progress.
Into today’s team came Max Cocken in place of Euan Rushton.
Captain Kaz lost the toss, and Nelson chose to bat first.
In what has become something of a recurring theme, we started well, both openers back in the pavilion as the powerplay ended with Nelson 24-2.
But then McGladdery and Fazal rebuilt, adding 75 for the 3rd wicket before the former fell to Jack Hancock’s mystery spin at the start of the 13th over.
At this point, with de Silva having bowled his four and Nelson closing on 100, we were staring down a mammoth total. But whilst our opponents continued to score, wickets came at regular intervals and at the close of their 18 overs Nelson had reached 130-6
A challenging total, but previous weeks have shown us capable of this. Could we find a repeat?
Kasim and Caleb opened, but found things tougher going this week. Both were out by the end of the powerplay, and after 5 overs we were 19-2
Thikshila de Silva came to the crease and immediately got to work, hitting 17 of the first over he faced. He added 44 with Siraj (13) and a further 46 with captain Kaz, passing 50 on his way. It looked as though we were strolling to victory.
But then disaster! de Silva out, caught to a great low catch on the cover boundary with the score at 110. de Silva scored 68 from 42 falls with 3 fours and 5 sixes.
When captain Kaz was out 3 balls later, we needed 18 from the last 2 overs.
Sheraz hit the first ball of the 17th over up and over deep square leg for six, and he and Alex Kennedy scampered through for ones and twos. 11 off the over, just 7 needed in the last….
Seven needed. Six balls. Fazal to bowl, Sheraz facing….
dot (7 off 5)
two (5 off 4)
one (4 off 3)
wicket. Alex bowled trying to finish the game with a boundary. (4 off 2)
one (3 off 1)
one. Pushed into the offside but straight to a fielder. The batsmen turn for a second to try to tie the game but its too late. The fielder had the presence of mind to collect the ball and run in to the stumps to prevent the second.
Nelson win, by one run. By the BAREST OF MARGINS.
Disappointment, but a great effort to chase down a difficult score in reduced overs against a good side. We remain top of the group on net run rate, but missed the chance to progress tonight. Well done to Nelson, who given Colne’s loss to Accrington have put themselves in a position where a win at Burnley next week would see them progress.
We play Colne at home on Friday, which now is a winner takes all shoot out for a quarter final place.
See you there.
Saturday
3rd XI B at Crompton
The Bees headed to Crompton on Saturday to try and put their batting nightmare from the previous week behind them.
With the large and in charge Rick Law-Riding as skipper on the day, he dished a verbal smackdown with the senior players were told to take responsibility for their own performances, and they stepped up and did so.
The home side put the us in on a bouncy track which suited Shak and he could pull and cut for fun.
In between the seasoned veterans were good performances from two 13 year olds – George Campbell scoring his 14 from 60 balls being an innings and Luke Rushton unlucky to be run out by a throw from the boundary right over the top of the stumps.
Even Ben got some well needed runs late on to post 158-6.
The Bees chowed down comfortable at half time that our bowling strength, even in the absence of our main strike bowler Jason Kayley (get well soon) would see us through.
And so it did – the captain using his considerable experience of third team cricket to notice that we the top end was turning, and controversially gave the new ball to Big Shak and some demon wizardry (or just bowl eight tight overs and build some scoreboard pressure – which is exactly what he did).
A note to mark the bowling performance of Bhavik Kadarkar, his first for GHCC, which was much better than his none for suggests. Big away swing saw most of the runs off his bowling coming from edges, and if we could catch he would have had 3 wickets in his five overs.
Atul also got talked out of the side strain he was threatening he had to bowl flames following Shak. His variations of off cutters and leg cutters caused chaos and were way too good for some of the batsmen he was facing.
Darab followed and got his usual three wickets – though not until one of the more senior players in the Crompton team decided from the non-striker’s end that he liked the look of Darab’s bowling and called a quick single on a block that travelled about an inch from the bat.
Darab wasn’t having any of that, and having been wound up by this (and a massive captain pointing out what had just happened) conveniently splattered two stumps out of the ground with the very next ball – which was comfortably the fastest bowl the Doctor has bowled in his life.
But cometh the moment – after last weeks inspired move brought about by Rishton’s captain being grumpy – cometh the Hamza.
Yet again, his “right arm filth” was unplayable by the tail end.
He’ll tell you he was turning it both ways and causing all sorts of problems – reality was, he’s the perfect bowler to bring on in a third XI when a team are five down and need 7 an over.
You can’t slog such filthy “spin” bowling, and as the Crompton batsmen found out, you can’t play proper shots to it either. The last four batsmen all added to Hamza’s CV, and we are in danger of him stealing the Ammar Malik bowling trophy if this trend continues.
The Bees travelled home with 12 points, and back to showing what we can do when we take responsibility – so on to bottom of the league Walsden on July 4. I’d say we’re looking forward to it, but it’s Walsden.
3rd XI A vs Enfield
The A Team lost a close contest to Enfield after just falling short in a big run chase.
The visitors batted first after winning the toss and piled up 212/3/ The highlight of the bowling effort was Ciaran Holden getting a wicket with a meat and potato that the batsman did will to both reach and lob it into the air for Max Cocken to snaffle.
The reply started well as Olly Roscoe (75) and Freddie Campbell (38) adding 95 for the second wicket as they closed in on the target.
Max Cocken added 34 but the chase fizzled out and the closed on 202/7 but bagged five points.
Sunday
Harriers at Ribblesdale Wanderers
Father’s Day brought a match I’ll never forget not because of the scoreline, but because of what it meant to me.
For the first time in sixteen years of cricketing memories, friendships, and history, I walked out to play against Ribblesdale Wanderers. The club that raised me. The club that shaped me. The club I gave everything to with 5 of them years being with Ribblesdale Wanderers Ladies.
And yet, standing there in Harriers colours, I felt something I didn’t expect:
I felt at home. I was exactly where I needed to be with the right ladies, the right team!
We lost the toss and were sent in to bat, but from the first ball, the Harriers girls lit up Church Meadow. I wish I could tell you every detail, every partnership, every moment but my head was spinning with nerves, adrenaline, pride, and a tiny bit of heartbreak. All I could focus on were the flashes: Cracking cover drives, the racing fours, the lovely sixes, the smiles, the support, the belief!
We didn’t just bat well we owned it.
A massive 315 for 3. A total that said: we’re here, and we’re together.
When it was our turn to bowl, every single one of us stepped up. Wickets came from everywhere, catches, run outs, bowled, good lines, good length. But what mattered most wasn’t the wickets. It was the way we carried ourselves.
We didn’t gloat.
We didn’t show off.
We respected a newly formed side, encouraged them, supported them, and even gave them tips, one of which literally helped them bowl out one of our own.
That’s cricket.
That’s Harriers cricket.
The only time the field fell silent was after an unbelievable one‑handed diving catch.
The kind of catch you dream about.
But she stayed down.
At first none of us knew what was wrong, but it became clear their shoulder wasn’t right. They tried to tough it out because that’s who we are, but eventually they had to leave the field. We pulled together, regrouped, and carried on for her.
That’s what teams do. That’s what the Harriers do!
Going into this match, my emotions were everywhere. I was nervous, ready, cocky, sentimental, excited, just a complete internal mess. But surrounded by the Harriers girls, I knew I was safe, supported, and exactly where I needed to be.
I’ll always be grateful to Ribblesdale Wanderers.
They gave me my start.
They gave me memories I’ll carry forever.
They’ll always be part of my life through my boys as they rise through the teams and one day, I hope I’m watching them walk out for the first team, making me proud!
Today wasn’t just a win on the field it was a moment of clarity, belonging and pride.
Whalley Road is ours.
Up the Harriers! 🏏💙
1st XI vs Crompton
It was a day to forget for Stuart Maher’s side as they were well beaten at home to Crompton.
The visitors opted to bat first and amassed 257 with Sanka (3-73) and Billy Armer (4-53) the pick of the bowling.
Only two players got into double figures as they ones slumped to 93 all out.
2nd XI at Crompton
The Corish Crew ascended to the top of the JW Lees Junior Division 2 after beating Crompton and Colne beating former leaders Enfield.
The seconds piled on 232/9 thanks in no small part to a partnership of 120 between Caleb Greenhalgh (58) and Max Cocken (54) with the skipper weighing in with 48.
The bowlers did the job with the Guru bagging two wickets and Joseph Cookson and Sam Davies getting three a piece.
But try as they might, they just couldn’t prise the last wicket out to take 10 points and the league lead by two points.