Welcome back to another weekend roundup, and what a weekend’s cricket we have for you. One that saw the start of the T20 competition as well as league games for all of our four senior matches.
There are some great run chases that follow, and some exceptional performances that may see the return of the player of the week poll, not seen since 2018, which could see exceptional performances rewarded with some of the most magnificently disappointing prizes you’ve ever seen.
Depends if I’ve anything left in me when I’ve covered all of these.
Without further ado
Friday
T20 away at Church
Take me to Church!
Came the call from Mikey at a quarter to five
We’ll probably win, and I’ll buy you a pint
That’s if the bar is open
Might be; there’s always a first time
I’m not sure Hozier has ever visited Church and Oswaldtwistle Cricket Club. But if he had, he wouldn’t take his whiskey neat. In fact, based on my 5 previous trips there, there’s an 80% chance he’d be parched.
So setting off on this balmy late May evening amidst glorious sunshine, we started to make arrangements for what we would do should there be no refreshments available. Having ruled out trying to push an impromptu housewarming on our friend and work colleague who had got the keys for his new house backing onto the ground less than two hours earlier, and instead determined ‘There’s a Spar up the road we could walk to’ we headed in.
There would be no such concern. The bar was open and indeed is very nice when you get in there.
On arrival, the game was already in progress, we had lost the toss and been asked to field first, but a wicket each for both Thikshila de Silva, and Sheraz Ahmad, who had bowled Church professional Gunasinghe for just 8, had left Church 13-2.
Former GHCC player, junior cup final man of the match 2022 and just all round excellent human Nazakat Hussain was in the middle trying to build our opponents a total, but having watched 7 balls go by without troubling the scorers he pushed one back to de Silva’s right and immediately called for a single. Stumps flying, 8 ball duck, 22-3.
Rohaib Hussain was offering resistance however, making the most of the final powerplay over hitting a couple of boundaries including a big six into the crowd.
A note on the crowd. There were good numbers attending tonight, mostly congregated along the topside in front of the clubhouse. Perhaps brought out by the glorious weather, or by the DJ for the night who did a good job despite audibly appearing to be fighting the urge all night to drop a donk track. He fought it well, but caved late on when he thought nobody cared. My ears cared.
The powerplay finished and after de Silva bowled another over to complete his four (1-18) we turned to Samuel Davies and the spin of T20 captain Matt Oddie.
Sam struck in his first over, Gargan connecting with one but directing it straight at Thikshila de Silva at long off, and then again in his second, trapping Hussain LBW for 23.
When Oddie had Smith caught at backward point in the next over, the score was 46-6 and Church were in trouble.
Graham and Patel stuck around for a while, but we saw something that may not have ever happened in T20 cricked before. Three consecutive maidens!
Oddie finished with 1-8 from his four overs, and Davies an even more remarkable 2-6.
Whilst this sequence was broken with a massive six from Patel off Sheraz, Graham fell later in the same over to a smart catch from Caleb.
The introduction of Kaz and Kasim Masood to bowl the last 4 overs brought about the remaining wickets, with the former bowling Rawcliffe with the last ball of the innings to see Church all out for 83.
Speaking to the crowd in the interval, it appears Church have lost several of their senior players over the winter, and are currently trying to rebuild following this. As many as five of their key 1st XI players from last season are no longer at the club having been ‘lured elsewhere’ by the prospect of a ‘different challenge, whatever that means’.
Matt and Kaz came out after the break, seeking to make quick inroads into the modest target. And they did just that. The very first ball went for four whilst the second over saw 11 runs taken off it. We reached the target in the 13th over without losing a wicket, Matt finishing 44* and Kaz 39*
One moment to recognise the efforts of Church’s Kasser, who, in the midst of a punishing evening, got through his 2.3 overs conceding just 6 runs.
It was also good to see Church bounce back on Sunday to pick up their first win of the season. It’s never fun when you’re struggling but they’ll be winning games again soon enough.
So 2 points on the board, an we sit top of the founders table on net run rate, with Colne and next week’s opponents Burnley also picking up wins.
On to the next one
Saturday
On Saturday it was the turn of our two third XIs. Our 3rd XI B welcomed Norden to Evolve Document Solutions Cliffe Park, whilst our 3rd XI A travelled to reigning 3rd XI champions Burnley.
3rd XI B vs Norden
Ok I’ll cover this one quickly. Because I wasn’t there and we lost.
Norden won the toss and opted to bat first. It was another red hot day and so the prospect of fielding for 40 overs wasn’t something we really wanted to contemplate.
Quick wickets was the plan.
Didn’t happen.
Despite solid opening spells from Jason Kayley and Asif Akhtar, Norden’s opening pair got themselves going and put on 73 before Bunting (35) felt he was bulletproof, nothing to lose and fired away, fired away straight up in the air to GHCC debutant Bhavik Kedarkar off the bowling of Atul Thakor.
Disappointingly no aeroplane celebration for this one, but understandable given we’d been plopped around Cliffe Park for 18 overs.
Shak picked up a couple of wickets, including that of the other opener Collin for 47, but the runs continued to flow. Frankish (23) and Kirkby putting together an imposing looking score.
In the 29th over, captain Andy Brown turned to Darab, looking for an impact.
That’s exactly what he got. two wickets in his first over and overall figures of 4-26 got us back into the game and prevented what could have been a mammoth total.
Asif Akhtar bowled Kirby soon after he had reached 50, but despite a last over run out, we couldn’t finish the job to claim the bowling points, Norden finishing 215-9.
our run chase started badly. Muhammad Shakeel out for a duck from just the third ball. But we rallied somewhat from there, Asif Akhtar (18) and Darab Khan (33) seeing us to 62-2.
But then the wickets started falling. Contributions from Richard Law-Riding (12 and Jason Kayley (15) were not enough, and we were all out in the 29th over for 103.
Quick note for Darab’s all round performance (4-26 and 33) but we move quickly on from that one. Rishton at home next week for the 3Bs, so we’ll look to bounce back then
On to the next one
Here’s Rick trying to club one into the trees
3rd XI A at Burnley
So on Saturday our 3rd XI A took a youthful looking side to face down the current league champions.
15 year old Euan Rushton would captain the side, of which nine of the eleven were 17 or younger, with Hamza Qayoom and Joel Houldsworth providing the experience.
Winning the toss, Euan chose to field, which on a day as hot as this, as was the case last week with usual captain Paul Newton, either meant he knew something we didn’t, or he likes sunburn. Which would it be?
Joel took an early wicket, cleaning up S Edmondson with only one run on the board, but that only preceded lots of toil.
P Edmondson and Neherkar added 134 for the second wicket. Both passed 50, and they looked as though they may bat all day, until the latter pushed a forward defense a few feet into the legside and called through a quick single. Wicketkeeper Max Cocken was alert to the opportunity, ran round scooped the ball and threw down the stumps at the non-strikers end.
Luke Rushton (1-34), Dominic Steele (1-43) and Hugo Corish (1-19) picked up a wicket each, but the runs kept flowing, and even with a second smart runout for Cocken, Burnley would be very satisfied at tea, having scored 220-6 from their 40 overs.
Having faced down many totals like that in the past, I know at least one former player who would have filled up with an extra piece (wheel) of quiche at tea, but there’s none of that these days. There’s an expectation at the club now, a belief among these players that nothing is impossible.
Euan opened alongside Hamza, and from the moment Hamza got us off the mark with a perfectly-timed flick through midwicket, it was clear we might just make a game of this.
By the time Hamza was out for 23 in the 15th over, we had 84 on the board and Euan was closing in on a 50.
He was joined by another 15 year old, Ciaran Holden, and what followed was very special.
Euan hit a magnificent 100 eventually finishing 121*, whilst Ciaran reached his first senior 50.
Even with the opposition captain trying all the tricks to try to distract or disrupt their concentration, having to be repeatedly reminded by the umpires that the batsmen were both 15 years old, the pair of them never really gave a chance.
They added an unbroken 136, timed perfectly and reaching the total in the 37th over.
The current champions, taken down effectively and efficiently by our under 17s.
This game is a leveller, and as their league position shows this young developing side will be hit and miss and will have moments where things don’t go their way. But days like this show the future is bright.
On to the next one…
Here’s Euan going to 100 and Ciaran reaching 50
Sunday
The final day of the weekend saw our 1st and 2nd teams take on Middleton.
Our 1st team would be at Evolve Document Solutions Cliffe Park, whilst our 2s travel to Middleton.
2nd XI at Middleton
Doing this one first for no reason other than I saw the end of the other one live with my own eyes.
Our 2s have got off to a decent start to the season, losing just one game in 7 before today, by one run away at Bacup. 4 league wins and one defeat, with one rained off game have them sat in third place going into today’s game.
Middleton hold a similar record, four wins and two defeats heading into today’s game has them sat just behind us in the table and suggests this may well be a stern test.
As ever, we lost the toss and found ourselves fielding. Not nearly as warm today though so we might not melt.
Into today’s team came Allan Armer who would keep wicket, and Alex Kennedy wanting some time in the middle to get his season up and running.
Bowling first, we found it tough going. Shahid and Shahid put on 65 for the first wicket. Both fell in quick succession to the spin combo of William Armer and Paul Newton, but then possible UFC referee Mark Goddard and Lee added a further 113, the former reaching 50.
Despite a late wicket for Dominic Steele and two for Joseph Cookson, our hosts reached 200-5 with a couple off the last ball.
Work to do.
But given current form and looking at the batting in our side today, I imagine our side would have been fancying their chances over tea.
Opening today would be Jack Hancock and Freddie Campbell. Tey made a great start, combining for 96 before Jack was out for 33.
Alex came in at 3, and went quietly about his business as Freddie went on to reach 50, before he was out for 56, reached from 87 balls including 6 fours.
William Armer came and went for 6, bringing Paul Houldsworth out to join Alex with 54 needed from just over ten overs.
The pair got us over the line with just over 2 overs to spare, Alex reaching 50 on the way and finishing 57* from 67 balls with 5 fours.
Paul added another red-inker to his significant collection, finishing 27*
Another excellent win with another excellent run chase.
We remain in third place, just 11 points behind leaders Enfield.
Enfield at home next week. An opportunity.
One more to go. And its a good one….
1st XI vs Middleton
So I was watching cricket this Sunday, but not in Great Harwood. I’d been over to Darwen CC to their sponsors day in my work capacity and watched their 1st XI beat Haslingden, with former GHCC players Reece Willets, and Adam and Harris Masood all in action for their respective teams.
An enjoyable few hours was had, but none of you care about that, you care about this – the last game of the weekend, and it’s our 1st XI.
Back at home this week after a fine 12 point win away at East Lancs last Sunday, and a fine 10 wicket win at Church on Friday, but you’ve already read about that one.
Middleton were relegated from Division 1 last year, and its fair to say they’ve hit the ground jogging on the spot. One win in six so far this year suggests the odds may well be in our favour, although closer inspection shows that win to have been against Crompton, and the only defeat they have suffered so far this term. On their day, they can be dangerous.
Into today’s team comes Euan Rushton in place of Alex Kennedy. Captain Stuart Maher won the toss and elected to field.
Whilst Thikshila de Silva got his standard early wicket, Middleton got off to a pretty good start. Rahman and Ganner taking the score to 68 before the former was trapped LBW by Kaz Masood.
This brought professional Severin to the crease, but after he had struck an early boundary, young wicketkeeper Nathan Sheridan noticed that every time he played forward at a delivery, he had this pattern that meant he dragged his back foot up, slowly forward and out of his crease.
One shy at the stumps later and.. well… see for yourself.
So pro gone, and hopes of restricting them to a low total back on. But Middleton are made of sterner stuff than that.
Kasim Masood had Ganner LBW for 30 but captain Udwadia, initially with Ganner (30) and then once Holland (30) took the score to 170, Late wickets for Sheraz Ahmad (2-61) and Thikshila de Silva (2-45) helped us, but what the captain called ‘some questionable fielding’ allowed runs to be scored freely and to the team’s visible frustration, Middleton got to 215-7 from their 50 overs.
A pretty decent score that. It would need some chasing.
But if you’ve made it this far, you know the script. We’ve chased down pretty much anything thrown at us this weekend. Could we do it one more time?
Brothers Chris and Matt Oddie opened the batting and had seen off the new ball, adding 42 before Matt was stumped by wicketkeeping professional Severin for 16.
Euan came in at 3 on the back of his 3rd XI 121* the previous day, and instantly carried on where he had left off. He added 25 with Chris, before the latter was bowled by spinner Highton for 33, and then another 45 with Thikshila de Silva.
Euan was out for 23, caught at mid on getting a leading edge as he sought to flick one through midwicket.
But this brought Kasim Masood to the crease, who has been looking like he’s been due a score for a couple of weeks now. He looked in fine form at East Lancs last week before running himself out. Would today be the day.
Yes.
He and the unwaveringly impressive de Silva added an unbroken 105, timing the chase impeccably and reaching the total with four overs to go. Kasim finished 39* off 42 balls with 5 fours, whilst de Silva hit a magnificent 87* which came from just 65 balls including 7 fours and 3 sixes. The first six was perhaps the biggest ever seen, hitting a waist high full toss over the trees, whilst the last six unfortunately went flat, straight into a car windscreen
Another hugely impressive win to go with several others throughout the club this weekend.
Having lost our first two games, our 1st XI are now up to 5th place. If we can string another couple of wins together we could be right back in contention at the top of the table.
Rochdale away next week. with Burnley at home on Friday in the T20 first.
See you next week