Levi’s blitz puts
LANCASHIRE LEAGUE CRICKET ROUND-UP JIM WILKINSON
BUTTLERISED! That’s how Ramsbottom must have felt after a brilliant, blistering ton from the bludgeoning bat of Church captain Levi Wolfenden left them with an uphill task which they fell well short of as the home side claimed a maximum points 62-run victory.
Church pro Dayyaan Galliem made a maiden Lancashire League halfcentury and new recruit Simon Crabtree continued his fine early-season form, the ex-Accrington man falling four short of his 50.
But nothing prepared anyone for Wolfenden’s blitzkrieg which virtually mirrored Josh Buttler’s swashbuckling ODI
innings for England against Pakistan 24 hours earlier, particularly as Church made a start so circumspect they had made just 65 for the loss of two wickets at the 25-over halfway mark.
The old adage that wickets in hand often provide a better platform than a racing start was never proved so true as the home side smashed a further 180 in the second half of the innings.
It was all perhaps a consequence of a tweak in the batting order designed for batting second, too....skipper Wolfenden and senior players decided to promote durable veteran Craig Fergusson to the number three spot to avoid a repeat of the previous Sunday when Gallien was at the crease within 30 minutes of finishing a lengthy bowling stint.
Gallien had made 45 and Wolfenden just two when the onslaught really began.
Ramsbottom’s seasoned Jon Fielding has often been Wolfenden’s nemesis - in fairness over a long career he’s virtually been everyone’s - but neither he nor professional George Linde or any of the amateur bowlers had any answer as the Church captain made capital of a couple of early let-offs and began spraying fours and sixes to all points of the compass.
Church isn’t a small ground, even with a sizeable chunk at the Blackburn End roped off to allow old practice net strips to recover but Wolfenden hit seven fours and nine sixes - 82 out of his 100 not out, brought up with a single off the 56th and final ball he faced in the final over. Even Buttler only managed six fours and nine sixes at the Rosebowl a day earlier.
The final few overs were breathtaking as Church powered to a closing 244 for five. Some perfectly respectable bowling figures to that point became highly costly.
As is so often the case, Wolfenden carried the success over into opening the Church bowling and removed his opposite number, Tom Parton the Ramsbottom captain, for a single.
A good stand of 68 between another former Accrington man, Simon Hanson, and Hong Kongborn Alex Olpin gave the visitors some hope but offspinner Jack Gaskill trapped Hanson in front then claimed the critical scalp of Linde, tamely caught by - who else - Wolfenden at precisely the stage the Acre Bottom men needed him to push on.
Olpin stuck around for a well-compiled 78 but Church could even afford to spill a couple of chances - uncharacteristic for a side which shines in the field - before wrapping the innings up, Wolfenden inevitably clean bowling Collinge to bring proceedings to a close with four for 53.
No-one could be entirely sure whether it was the fastest amateur century in league history - or indeed Church’s. By a twist of serendipity I watched most of Ramsbottom’s innings in the company of Gerard Metcalf who as a teenager I watched blaze 126 in an opening stand of 193 with Billy Wilkinson.
“I was in for about 17 overs so maybe 100 balls, half of that, “mused Gerard, before later remembering, as older gentlemen often do, that they were actually eightball overs back then!
“It was just one of those days when your luck’s in, You’ve got to ride the wave and hope it comes off,” said Wolfenden after.
I don’t know which was the quicker but forty years apart, I feel priviliged to have seen two mates rack up such spectacular tons!
In Division One, Accrington picked up a big win after a seven wicket victory against Lowerhouse at Thorneyholme Road. Lowerhouse won the toss and decided to bat, but they struggled to perform, with Francois Haasbroek (42) the only batsmen to hit a significant score as they were bowled all out for 93.
Ross Brown was the pick of the bowlers for Accrington, taking impressive figures of 4-8. Accrington eased to their total, thanks to an unbeaten 50 from Kieren Grimshaw and 29 from professional Karl Brown, as Accrington finished on 94-3 after just 36 overs.
Norden came out on top in their match as they defeated Darwen by four wickets at Woodhouse Lane. Norden won the toss and decided to field, and they were able to bowl Darwen all out for 149.
It would have been a smaller total as Darwen were 78-9 at one stage, but a knock of 49 from final batsmen Kamran Anwar helped to extend his side’s score.
Norden lost six wickets in reply, but it was still a fairly comfortable run chase, as Harvey Fitton (41) and professional Jake Sandham (33) helped their side reach their target with 14 overs to spare.
Elsewhere in Division One, Burnley picked up a 12 run win over Clitheroe at Turf Moor, and Todmorden won by 37 runs against Crompton at Glebe Street.
In Division Two, Bacup were dominant winners as they earned a nine wicket victory over Nelson at Seedhill. Nelson won the toss and decided to bat, but they struggled to perform, as they were bowled all out for 105, with only opener Lewis Bradley (32) posting a significant score.
Bacup chased down their target with ease, as professional Sachithra Serasinghe (59) and Simon Newbitt (37) helped them end on 109-1 in just 30 overs.
Haslingden were victorious against Milnrow after they came out on top by 26 runs at Bentgate. Haslingden won the toss and decided to bat, with Jordan Shannon (31), professional Ryan Burl (27) and Alex Jeffrey (27) helping them finish on 141-9. Middleton weren’t able to get any momentum going in reply, and they were bowled all out for 115 to hand Haslingden the win.
Littleborough were big winners over local rivals Milnrow as they secured a nine wicket triumph at Hare Hill. Milnrow won the toss and decided to bat, but only professional Neil Hornbuckle (25) and opener Keelan Shipley (23) reached double figures as they were dismissed for 111.