Comedown following Cup triumph
ROCHDALE enjoyed mixed fortunes last weekend when they made easy progress into the third round of the Worsley Cup, but came a cropper a day later with a disappointing defeat at Haslingden.
Haslingden had originally provided Dale with their first victory when the Lancashire League’s T20 programme opened on Friday night.
Set to make 132 from their allocation, Dale cruised home, winning by eight wickets with 10 balls to spare thanks to James, Maurice-scott, 30, Zimmy Khan, 48, and deputy professional Ali Shan, unbeaten on 28, who all played comfortably.
However, Haslingden gained their revenge two days later in a low scoring turgid league game at Bentgate Street.
Dale never came to terms with a damp bowler friendly surface, and after having been put in they slumped to 97 all out.
Dale were faced with the type of conditions that demand both application and wariness, both elements of Rochdale’s batting psyche that have been absent in recent years.
Little blame could be attached to the first three batsmen to be dismissed, though, all victims of the impressive Lewis Mcintosh.
First, James MauriceScott was trapped in front by one that swung in before Zimmy Khan edged to slip a ball that got big on him.
And when a first ball Yorker hit Declan Wilkinson on the foot, Dale were 23 for 3 and now heavily reliant on sub pro Henry Cooper.
Cooper played the conditions superbly and set a fine example for his teammates to follow. Alas, none of them did. They were all spellbound by Haslingden professional Milnda Siriwardana’s slow left armers, five of them falling to a succession of ill judged lofted shots.
And the home side, smelling blood, were in no mood to help them out, their fielding, apart from one blemish being exemplary.
Meanwhile, Cooper, who could only be criticised for having misplaced faith in his colleagues’ ability to survive, remained unbeaten (on 42)and no doubt bewildered by the suicidal approach at the other end.
An opening partnership of 39 by Matthew Griffin and Mini Bhada help settle any home doubts and although Steve Oddy, as usual, was a handful, taking 4 for 30 from his 15 overs, the home team, guided by Leighton Friend, 25 not out, eased home with six wickets down and over 13 overs to spare. SCORES:
Rochdale 97 ( H. Cooper 42 n.o., Siriwardana 6-32) Haslingen 100 for 6 (36.1 over s)
HASLINGDEN 12 POINTS, ROCHDALE 2 POINTS.
A much better batting surface at Redbrook greeted Dale and Crompton for their Worsley Cup second round clash on Saturday. This time Dale won the toss, Crompton batted first and soon found themselves 8 for 3.
No imperfections in the wicket could be blamed for Crompton’s predicament though.
The visitors top found the pace, swing and accuracy of Dale’s substitute professional Matt Coles too much for them.
Coles had Denis Louis brilliantly caught by Jamie Roche with his first ball and then induced a false drive from Jake Hoosen who was taken at mid off by Dylan Poscha.
Harry Dean tried to rally but but only Hasan Fazal and Kain made anything like worthy contributions until a late flurry from Muhammad Zuhaib enabled the visitors to stagger to 105 all out.
Rochdale then made short work of their chase. James Maurice- Scott, who had chipped in with three wickets in Crompton’s innings smote a 41 ball half century, an innings characterised by a series of crisp drives and fierce cuts.
With Zimmy Khan he put on 83 for the first wicket and although he departed immediately after reaching 50 Khan ensured there was no let up and Dale passed their target in under 17 overs.
Rochdale now travel to Darwen for the third round on 19th June. SCORES: