The 1^st XI suffered a disappointing defeat as they made the short trip to Roe Green on Saturday.

Clifton elected to bat first on a firm, dry pitch, but it soon became apparent, it was not going to be easy to score. At 42-2 and losing Gareth Cross for 0, it was Adam Holt (68) and Sam Dorsey (23) who steadied the ship, piecing together a 62 partnership. It was Holt’s crucial innings, and a late flurry of boundaries by James Evans (43) and Steve Cheetham (21) that saw Clifton to post a competitive score of 197-8 after 50 overs.

Clifton’s defence started positively with Cross and Joe McCann picking up an early wicket each, leaving the home side 14-2 in pursuit. However, Clifton failed to take advantage and build any pressure with the ball, allowing Roe Green to build important partnerships.  Despite a few late wickets by Cross (4-68) causing the home side to stall, a patient 58 by Gatenby-Brown steered them home with 5 balls to spare.

The 1^st XI look to bounce back next Saturday as they welcome Woodbank to Manchester Road. Followed by Leyland on Sunday in the Lancashire KO Quarter Final.

2nd XI -

Micklehurst CC 1^st team were the visitors to Manchester Road this week to play CCC 2^nds in a reverse of the fixture that yielded the only win of the season so far for the hosts.

The visitors won the toss and decided to bat on a scorchingly hot day. Rob Lord and Rob Meredith struck early to leave the visitors 16 for 2, but a good partnership saw Micklehurst through to 76 for 2 at the first drinks break. The next session was a key one in the game as the home team youngsters started to flag in the heat and the bowling became more erratic. A couple of chances went to ground and the over rate slowed markedly. By the second drinks break Micklehurst had advanced to 179 for 4 and there were just 40 minutes left to bowl the remaining 16 overs. In a bid to get through these overs, a number of bowlers were used, from a mixture of short, and shortened (!) run ups. Rob Lord was the most effective of these, taking 3 for 55 from 14 overs, but the final Micklehurst total of 269, aided by 48 extras (31 of which were wides) looked more than competitive.

The Clifton innings got off to the worst possible start with Chris Lord getting a brute of a delivery which reared up waist high off a good length from the visitors overseas amateur in the first over - Chris was only able to fend it off to gully where the catch was comfortably taken. Ben Sykes then struck a few lusty retaliative blows, including one which landed in the middle of Manchester Road, but one trip too many to the well too soon saw him caught at long-on in the fourth over. By the first drinks break Clifton had been reduced to 76 for 5, with Robert Lord, Chris Royle and Rob Reade also back in the tent. Partnerships were hard to come by and wickets fell regularly, so much so that only the efforts of number 11 Rob Meredith meant that the second drinks break was even reached, at 160 for 9.  He fell soon after though, as the hosts were bowled out for 177 inside 38 overs. A bitterly disappointing run chase, and back to the ever-increasing-in-size drawing board for the 2s.

3rd XI - 

No less than 9 juniors took part in the 3rd XI fixture against unbeaten Friarmere 2nd XI on Sunday 15th July.

With the toss won, Clifton went out to bat with good intentions of setting our opponents a challenging chase. That was just the case, as Joe Parker (47) and Sam Brown (29) put on 62 for the first wicket inside 12 overs. A little gitter with the loss of 3 quick wickets brought Rob Lord (27) and Sam Dorsey (50) to the crease. They ably pushed the score on and Clifton posted a decent total of 189/6 from their 40 overs.

Over to the bowlers to do their job.

An early wicket for Rob Lord and pressure in the field looked like just the tonic as Friarmere found themselves on 86/4 at half way. Wickets continued to be taken and at 157/9 with 9 overs remaining it looked like Clifton were going to wrap things up and inflict the first defeat of the season on our visitors. Friarmere's no.10 and no.11 had other ideas. They carefully picked up one's and with the help of extras and lady luck, found themselves requiring 11 runs from the final 2 overs. An edge for 4, a single and another inside edge for 4, left 2 runs needed from the final over. Jack Golland had the honour and bowling an excellent length and with the field tightened, dot followed dot. With 2 balls remaining the batsman took his chance on a fuller delivery and stroked the ball down to the long off boundary.

Disappointment for the 3rds in what was a great game of cricket. 

The turn of the season saw a turn in fortune for the 1^stXI, as they avoided a 5^th consecutive league defeat with a 50-runvictory against high flying Prestwich. Gareth Cross won the all-important toss,electing to bat first on a hot, sunny day at Manchester Road.

After losing the top 4 early, each failing to reach doublefigures, Clifton found themselves 40-4 and without regular number 4 Sam Dorsey,looking at another low total. On a tricky, turning pitch, it was middle orderto the rescue, with vital knocks from Chris Lord (34), Liam Hurt (39), JamesEvans (44) and an impressive cameo by Roman Slusarenko (35) saw Clifton finishwith a competitive 194-8 after 50 overs. 

The Prestwich chase took an early blow, with Liam Hurtclaiming the wicket, leaving Prestwich 6-1. Clifton continued to removePrestwich batsmen at regular intervals, with impressive spells by Gareth Crossand the Liam Hurt who finished with figures of 4-35 & 2-23 respectively. Supportedby Ahmad (2-50) and McCann (2-24), Prestwich soon found themselves 96-7 and itwas only a matter of time before they were eventually bowled out for 144. 

The 1^st XI hope this is the result that sparks asecond half push to dethrone Flixton at the top of the league. 

A Special thanks to Gail Holt for teas.

3rd XI - 

On another day more suitable for sunbathers, our 3rd XI took on our friends from Astley & Tyldesley.

With the toss won by Clifton it was time to pile on the runs on a fantastic deck for batting.

Unfortunately, this didn't happen immediately, as early wickets fell and Clifton found themselves on 44 for 4 after 15 overs. The innings eventually started to get going with the introduction of Zach Flaxman, with a maiden half century (55no) and Rob Reade (51). The pair putting on 91 for the 5th wicket.

Clifton innings closing on 173 for 5.

Teas, a well earned rest and reapplication of factor 50 and we were back out. 

In conditions that can only be described as sitting on the sun!! The early bowlers did really well to restrict the scoring, but wickets were needed. A change of pace from Stephen Birch, Joe Parker and Roman Slusarenko continued to restrict the scoring and brought a couple of victims. As the overs ticked by, this looked like a tight one.... it was. With 12 required from the final over, the skipper entrusted Rob Reade and his experience saw the 3rd XI home to another good victory.

Glossop won the toss and elected to bat. Rob Meredith andSaf Jan settled into an early rhythm and both were unlucky not to grab earlywickets as a couple of good shouts for LBW, a catch behind not given and aspilled chance let both openers off the hook. Patience was eventually rewardedin the 20th over with the score on 93 as Rob Reade entered the fray and took asharp caught and bowled.

The next wicket to fall was somewhat bizarre as aninjured Ethan Harding struggled to complete his first over, bowling a wide legside full toss that the batsman decided to swing at, only for the ball to skyrocket down to long leg where Rob Meredith held onto a great catch.

Unfortunately this wasn’t contagious and chance afterchance went begging in the field, allowing Glossop to soar past 200 with 13overs to go, still with 8 wickets in hand. As the day got hotter and hotter,the fielding somehow got worse and another 112 runs were added to set adaunting target of 313, Rob Meredith and Rob Reade taking the only otherwickets to fall. 

And so to the chase, which in truth lasted just fourovers, as both openers were dismissed in an all too familiar start toproceedings. 17 for 2 became 79 for 5 at drinks, and as the umpires got a sniffof the early bus home, the innings capitulated to 118 all out. Only latereplacement Nick Flaxman was able to register anything like a score, with apatient and well crafted 34 runs. 

Onwards to high flying Shaw next weekend ... anyone fancya game?

3rd XI - Cup Run Ends at Radcliffe.

The 3rd XI travelled to Radcliffe in the last 16 of the 3rd XI Cup with no less than 8 juniors. With the sun beating down a bit of luck with the toss was needed. Unfortunately, Nick called incorrectly and Radcliffe had no hesitation in having a bat.

An early wicket for Saf Jan was just the tonic and opening partner Jack Golland both bowled very good line and length for the opening 10 overs. The heat however was relentless and the huge outfield made matters worse as you could see the energy being sapped from all. The Captain turned to Charlie Cook and Mason Turner who again bowled tidily but 5 overs a piece was all they would be able to muster.

Eventually turning to spin to speed up the over rate, a few wickets fell and Zach Flaxman behind the stumps picked up a few victims with 2 catches and 2 stumpings. Radcliffe finished their innings on a daunting 220/6.

The free ice-creams at teas and for the remainder of the afternoon were appreciated and very kind of our hosts.

In return Clifton got off to a slow start with some excellent quick bowling, followed up by superb spin bowling with plenty of turn and bounce. Only Roman Slusarenko (33) really looked like scoring at the rate required and wickets fell regularly. Radcliffe bowling Clifton out for 105 in 33 overs.

The very best of luck to a great bunch of lads at Radcliffe as they continue their cup journey.