Rams celebrate Twenty20 joy
LANCASHIRE LEAGUE CRICKET ROUND-UP
ADOUBLEHEADER of Lancashire League fixtures along with Twenty20 finals day resulted in an extremely competitive weekend of cricket action.
It was a fantastic weekend for Ramsbottom, as they won the Twenty20 competition and were also victorious in their Lancashire League clash with Rochdale.
The weekend began with their Division One match against Rochdale, with Ramsbottom picking up a 46 run win at Acre Bottom.
Ramsbottom won the toss and decided to bat, and it looked like Rochdale may have a good chance to win as Ramsbottom were bowled all out for just 106.
Rochdale couldn’t capitalise though, with eight batsmen only making single figures and three falling for ducks.
Jon Fielding was the pick of the bowlers for Rochdale, finishing with figures of 6-24 to hand Ramsbottom the win.
Ramsbottom couldn’t win their league game on Sunday, as they lost by three wickets against Clitheroe at Chatburn Road.
Ramsbottom batted first after winning the toss, and ended on 138-8 after top scores from Rehan Udwadia (42 not out) and professional Ashar Zaidi (32).
Clitheroe reached their target with four balls to spare, finishing on 141-7 to earn the win.
Rochdale were emphatically beaten on Sunday after losing by 117 runs against Lowerhouse at Redbrook. Lowerhouse batted first and ended on 195-7, and Rochdale struggled in reply.
Jamie Roche scored 34, but nine batsmen failed to reach double figures and they were bowled all out
for 78, suffering a heavy loss.
It got better for Ramsbottom on Bank Holiday Monday though, as they finished as T20 champions.
They claimed a dominant 81 run win over Church in the semi-final, before then taking on Bacup in the final after they defeated Rishton by six wickets in their respective semi-final.
The finals day was taking place at Lanehead, giving Bacup home advantage, but it didn’t matter in the end as Ramsbottom secured a 46 run victory in the final to earn the trophy.
Church claimed bragging rights against local rivals Accrington after picking up a dominant eight wicket win at The Property Shop Arena.
Accrington won the toss and decided to bat, but were bowled all out for just 71, with James Hayhurst top scoring with 21 not out.
Josh Dentith was the pick of the bowlers for Church, finishing with figures of 4- 19. It took Church just 11 overs to reach the target, as they raced ahead and ended on 72- 2 to pick up a dominant win and condemn Accrington to defeat.
Church couldn’t make it two wins from two though, as they were beaten by 10 runs against Todmorden at Blackburn Road.
Todmorden were put into bat first after Church won the toss, and were bowled all out for 121. Church pushed their opponents close, but in the end were ultimately bowled out for 111, with Todmorden picking up a narrow win.
Accrington’s match on Sunday then saw them also beaten by seven wickets against Burnley at Turf Moor.
Accrington won the toss and decided to bat, but despite good scores from professional Karl Brown (44) and Graeme Sneddon (41), they were bowled all out for 120.
Bunrley needed just 22 overs to reach the target, as they made 121-3 to come out on top and make it a frustrating week
end for Accrington.
In Division Two, Rawtenstall overcame Bacup after a dominant nine wicket win at the Worswick Memorial Ground. Bacup batted first, but were bowled all out for just 65, with five batsmen dismissed without scoring a run.
Rawtenstall needed just 11 overs to reach the target, with professional Jovaun van Wyngaardt hitting an unbeaten 46 from 30 balls to help the team secure the win.
Rawtenstall’s second match on Sunday saw them emphatically beaten by 152 runs against Rishton at Blackburn Road. Rishton won the toss and decided to bat, ending on 199-7 after a century from professional Mansoor Amjad (111). Rawtenstall seriously struggled in reply, as they were bowled all out for just 47 to suffer a heavy defeat.
Bacup’s second match of the weekend ended in defeat too, as they were beaten by Enfield. Bacup scored 121 all out in their innings, with Enfield successfully chasing down the target.
The second eleven had a mixed weekend starting with a heavy defeat against Rawtenstall. Tayyib made 29 not out and Aziz 26 as some late order hitting boosted Rawtenstall’s total to 137 all out. For Bacup Shepherd took 4 for 40 and George Sumner 3 for 39.
In reply Bacup slumped to 47 all out with only Dom Boardman (11) making double figures. Testa impressed for Rawtenstall picking up 4 for 7.
It was another low scoring game on Sunday at Enfield with Bacup being bowled out for 109 in 35.2 overs with Highley (23) and Knights (22) being the main contributors.
However, in a tight game Enfield fell 23 runs short in being dismissed for 87. Charlie Gansler impressed with 4 for 18 with Donovan picking up 3 for 30 and Butcher 2 for 15.
Enfield were also victorious on Saturday as they earned a three wicket win over Middleton at Dill Hall Lane.
Middleton won the toss and decided to bat, but were bowled all out for just 64 with only one batsmen making double figures. Enfield reached the target in 27 overs with three wickets to spare, ending on 65-7 to come out on top.
Rishton’s second match of the weekend saw them beaten by three wickets against Great Harwood at Cliffe Park.
Rishton batted first after Great Harwood won the toss, and they ended on 166-9, with professional Amjad again performing as he top scored with 79.
It wasn’t enough though, as Great Harwood chased down the target and finished on 170-7 to come out on top.
Great Harwood also won on Sunday, defeating Nelson by 26 runs at Seedhill. Great Harwood batted first, and were bowled all out for 137. It was enough to earn the win, as Nelson were bowled all out for 111 to hand Great Harwood the win.
Littleborough had a successful weekend, starting with a nine wicket win over Nelson at Hare Hill. Littleborough won the toss and decided to field, bowling Nelson all out for 91. Littleborough needed just 24 overs to reach the target, with opener Matthew Hernon finishing unbeaten on 50 to help them earn the win.
Littleborough then secured a six wicket win over Haslingden at Bentgate on Sunday. Haslingden won the toss and decided to bat, and were bowled all out for 103. Littleborough reached the target in 38 overs, ending on 104-4 to come out on top.
Haslingden did win one game during the weekend after an emphatic 182 run victory over Milnrow at Ladyhouse. Haslingden finished on 273-5 during their innings, with opener Matt Griffin top scoring with 115.
Milnrow found it tough in response, as they were bowled all out for just 91 to come up short.
Milnrow were also beaten in their other match during the weekend, losing by nine wickets against East Lancashire at Alexandra Meadows.
Milnrow batted first and were bowled all out for 94, with East Lancs needing just 17 overs to make 98-1 in reply and come out on top.