Batting collapse leads to cup exit for Norden

NORDEN batting collapses can be pretty spectacular when they happen, and Saturday’s was certainly spectacular.

A slump from 131 for two to 159 all out ultimately cost Stags a place in the second round of the JW Lees Bitter Wood Cup.

Rehan Udwadia was out early in the match against Monton and Weaste, leg before to Dan Collins, but there was no suggestion of what was to come as Josh Tolley and Naveed Zamurad poured on the runs at more than five an over.

They took the total up to 85, but Zamurad, on 43, then smacked a Nawaz delivery into the hands of Devesh Kumar – the only fielder Monton had on the legside.

Tolley and Ash Gowers were a little restricted by some good bowling, and with 131 on the board Tolley snicked and was caught behind.

Steve Pimm went the same way for a first-baller and the collapse was under way.

In the next over Simon North was bowled by Joshua Lenihan, and it looked as though Gowers would have to repeat his brilliant Lancashire Knockout innings to give Stags a reasonable total to defend.

He and Jamie Pilling did take the score up to 154, but Pilling was then caught and Gowers was trapped leg before.

Martin Smith was bowled by Lenihan who finished with four for 27, Hashum Malik was bowled second ball by Furqan Shafiq, and Chris Hartley was bowled first ball by Shafiq. It had been a dark time under cloudy skies, but hope was rekindled as Hartley bowled Kumar for a duck.

Two more wickets fell, Chugtai going to a catch by Udwadia in Malik’s first over, and Shafiq being bowled by Malik. Rain intervened which resulted in a 10 runs deduction in Monton’s target, but it looked a little brighter when Monton lost another wicket in the 70s.

Unfortunately that was it for Norden as Jake Sandham and Joe Kershaw saw Monton home and looked untroubled in doing so.