This week saw the 2nd team visit Elton Vale CC to play their 1st team in an early season battle of the bottom two.

The hosts were invited to bat and the two Robs, Meredith and Lord, were unlucky not to pick up early wickets as chances were missed. As batsmen settled, the change bowlers suffered the same fate, with further catches spilled. Seven different bowlers were used and eventually seven wickets fell, but the ten dropped catches were to prove costly as Elton Vale finished on 214-7 off 50 overs.

The Clifton innings started positively and runs flowed freely. At 100-2 inside 20 overs the prospects of a second league victory of the season were excellent. However the loss of regular wickets, as batsmen failed to adapt to the testing conditions, saw the visitors collapse to just 153 all out, leaving the 2nds rooted to the foot of division 2A.

3rd XI - A Day to Forget

A much changed 3rd XI were back at Manchester Road before the heavens opened, after been bowled out for 65 against a very good Greenmount 3rd XI at the home of the league leaders.

Captain for the day Sam Brown found no excuses for the poor display with the bat and missed chances in the field. Defending such a low total was always going to be difficult and Greenmount comfortably reached the required target in 12.5 overs without loss.

After winning the toss on a lovely sunny day we lost Will Davidson early. Gareth Cross and Adam Holt then batted Clifton into a commanding position with a 170 plus partnership. Cross falling for 84. Adam carried on in a very destructive manner finishing on 169 and was well supported throughout by Dan Ainscough, Chris Lord and Roman Slusarenko, who all played important knocks to set a very good total of 335 from our 50 overs.

With a depleted bowling attack Clifton were delighted take take regular wickets and always looked in control. When Denton St. Lawrence's Pro was removed for a very well made 80, the game was more or less over. Denton St. Lawrence were bowled out for 248.

A special mention to Adam Holt with the ball as well who picked up 4 vital wickets. A truly match winning performance from Adam. Another win and hopefully the good form continues.

2nd XI

This week saw the visit of Elton CC 1st team to Manchester Road and after winning the toss they chose to bat first.

A much improved all round bowling and fielding performance saw the hosts restricted to 214-8 in the 50 overs, with all five bowlers used taking wickets.

The Clifton innings got off to a slow and shaky start and after eight overs we had been reduced to 18-3. A fifty partnership got the home side back on course, but two quick wickets saw Elton resume control as they had Clifton 76-5 after 20 overs. But Zach Flaxman and Ian Morris were not about to roll over as they gritted it out over by over, frustrating the visiting bowling attack. A second 50 partnership of the innings was brought up in the 45th over,testament to the skill and patience spanning generations.

The innings closed on 139-9, and another defeat for the 2nd XI, the damage having been done inside the first 20 overs of the Clifton innings. But some real positives from the game were the contributions of juniors Robert Lord (3-63), Jack Golland (1-30), and Charlie Cook (1-27) with the ball, and Zach Flaxman behind the stumps and with the bat. Credit also to Ian Morris (45) for guiding Zach through his marathon innings.

3rd XI

A great toss to win for the 3rds on Sunday and no hesitation in electing to bat. That seemed to back fire very quickly as we lost 2 early wickets without the batsman troubling the scorers. A quickfire 22 from Joe Parker gave the innings some momentum and with Roman Slusarenko (88) and Rob Lord (58) we posted a very respectable 223 from our 40 overs.

Our visitors, Littleborough Lakeside 2nd XI looked to get off to a flyer, but some very quick bowling from Robert Lord (4/21) and good variation of line and length from Saf Jan (2/33), they never really got in to their stride.

Pace was taken off the ball with the introduction of Roman who claimed 3 wickets and Jack Golland (1/12 from 7 overs) and wickets fell at regular intervals. Catches were held, in particular by Robert Lord who held on to 3 very good catches. Our visitors were eventually all out for 161 in the 34th over.