Norden off on right foot at Middleton
NORDEN began life in the JW Lees Lancashire League with a home win over former Central Lancashire League rivals Middleton.
The Moonrakers took first knock, and it was slow going in the first seven overs, with runs at a premium against the bowling of Jake Sandham and Chris Humphreys.
George Walker did his best to get the board ticking over, but Harry Gee never looked really comfortable, and with 47 scored he was out for seven, caught behind by Lee Crabtree off Humphreys.
Humphreys struck again when he bowled James Tierney for one, and he soon found himself on a hat-trick. He bowled Walker who had made a good 36, then hit the sticks again to see off Rhys Tierney.
Humphreys then had to wait until the first delivery of his next over, but there was no trick, and he was replaced after a 13-over stint which brought him figures of four for 18.
Aijaz Shah was next to go, caught by Crabtree off Dominic Humphreys, and when professional Chris Williams was bowled by Greg Butterworth Middleton were deep in trouble at 82 for six.
Butterworth went on to gain two more wickets, and the returned Sandham picked up a couple as the Middleton innings closed after a break for rain on 117 all out.
That rain meant Norden’s innings had been reduced to 43 overs. As it happened they needed just over 23 to knock off the runs without having to push the rate.
Harvey Fitton played too early at a delivery and was bowled by Thomas Rutter who also picked up the wicket of Dominic Humphreys who was pouched by Leighton Le Carpentier.
Greg Butterworth looked in form but was bowled by spin-king Dale Highton for 13.
Josh Tolley and Jake Sandham saw Stags over the line.
Tolley played a stylish innings to score 67, while Sandham rounded off the match with a six-hit in his 11.
As for future prospects.
It was hard to judge much off this match, and just about the only thing certain is that there is a long season ahead of all teams. MIDDLETON Harry Gee c Crabtree b C Humphreys.7 George Walker b C Humphreys ........... 36 James Tierney b C Humphreys ............... 1 Chris Williams b Butterworth .................. 9 R Tierney b C Humphreys ......................... 0 A Shah c Crabtree b D Humphreys ....... 3 R Jones lbw Sandham ............................. 14 L Le Carpentier b Butterworth ................ 1 T Rutter b Sandham .................................... 4 S McGuinness c and b Butterworth .. 13 D Highton not out ........................................ 0 Extras ............................................................... 29 Total (42.1 overs) ...................................... 117 Bowling: Sandham 8.1-1-33-2; C Humphreys 13-5-18-4; D Buckley 3-0-22-0; D Humphreys 10-3-14-1; Butterworth 8-2-24-3. NORDEN Jo Tolley not out ........................................ 67 H Fitton b Rutter ........................................... 3 Greg Butterworth b Highton .............. 13 Jake Sandham not out ........................... 11 Extras .............................................................. 15 Total (for 3 wkts, 23.4overs) ................ 120 Bowling: Williams 7-0-25-0; Rutter 8-031-2; Highton 5-0-23-1; McGuinness 2-0-15-0; James Tierney 1.4-0-25-0