Clifton won the toss on what started out a nice sunnyafternoon as we welcomed Denton St. Lawrence to Manchester Road. Electing to bat, Adam was the fist man to fallwith the score on 76 for a gritty 25. 

After that the wicket became very hard toscore on and after looking like a big total was the order of the day,  we were dragged back.A few wickets fell cheaply and Gareth Cross (117) with another 100 for CCC was in need of a partner to hang around with him. Fortunately, Dan Ainscough came to the crease and put on agood partnership with the skipper. When Dan fell for a well played 26 whichhelped put on a 70  partnership, Steven Cheetham managed to lay bat on ball and hit a couple oflusty blows. Clifton finishing on a very good 223 which was well above par onthe wicket. 

DSL's reply was to come out playing some shots and they put on 47 in 5overs before Liam Hurt claimed the first wicket. This sloweddown the quick start and wickets fell at regular intervals as the pitch deteriorated. Steven Cheetham was outstanding picking up 3 vital wickets. The rain came when DSL were 7 down needing 110 more runs for victory.

The game eventually won by Clifton on DLS. A much needed win and good performance.

2nd XI -

Rooted to the foot of GMCL Division 2A, the 2nd XItravelled to former B&DCA foes Elton CC this week to play their 1st XI.

Clifton won the toss and had no hesitation in choosing tobat first.

The innings got off to a steady and circumspect startagainst accurate and challenging seam and swing bowling. Opening the battingfor the first time, 13 year old Zach Flaxman continues to progress, lookingcomfortable and untroubled until he got a grubber that hit the base of his offstump after pitching just short of a length.

Steady progress saw the score to 46-1, when 16 year oldEthan Harding was most unfortunate to be run out at the bowlers end, backing upa powerfully hit straight drive that clipped the bowlers fingers and ricochetedinto the stumps.

Whilst the unlucky youngsters at the top of the order dida good job of countering the disciplined bowling of Elton’s 1st team, thesenior players that followed in the middle order disappointed. Three or fourrash and impatient shots saw a collapse from 55-2 to 71-6. Then, what followedwas one thing that really wasn’t needed, quite possibly the best piece ofamateur fielding witnessed by most present in many years. A cleanly hit lofteddrive cleared the long off boundary rope, only to be intercepted in mid air bythe fielder who flicked the ball back to long on, feet still off the ground,and the catch was taken back within the field of play. Quite remarkable, and areminder of the standard of cricket required to be competitive in Division 2A.The remaining three wickets fell in the blink of an eye and the only questionremaining was whether the home side would pass the required total of 84 beforethe forecast rain arrived.

The answer was yes, comfortably, as positive strokeplaysaw the target reached within 20 overs. On a positive note, the Cliftonfielding was excellent, Zach and Ethan taking good catches as Rob Reade andJack Golland picked up wickets.

Another tough day, but useful experience for a (mainly)young side against another strong first team.

On Saturday, the 1^st XI were defeated by 7wickets by a league chasing Woodbank CC side.

Clifton batted first and failed to really score with anymomentum throughout the innings. With no batter going on to score big, SamDorsey (49) and Joe McCann (38) were the top contributors with the bat for Cliftonas they were bowled out for 172. N. Kennedy taking 6-33 for the visitors.

Despite Woodbank losing a wicket with the first ball of thesecond innings, a patient 84 by pro Phil Hayes, supported by 38 from McIntosh sawthe away side cruise to victory by 7 wickets with 18 overs to spare.

The 1^st XI welcomed Leyland CC to Manchester Rd onSunday, in the Quarter Final of the Lancashire KO. Clifton were bowling firstin a bid to bounce back from defeat the day before.

Leyland failed to build a big partnership early on due tightopening spells from Cheetham (0-16) and Jennings (2-13).  This theme continued throughout the inningsas Clifton continued to take regular wickets through Cross (2-38) and Davidson(3-36), limiting Leyland to 169-8 after their 45 overs.

In pursuit, Clifton were in cruise control with an openingstand of 131 between Cross (84) and Holt (63*). Despite losing Cross, SamDorsey (15*) and Adam Holt saw the game home with 8 overs to be bowled, asClifton won by 9 wickets.

This win sees Clifton sail into the Semi Final where theywill face Northern CC of the Liverpool Comp.

Best of luck to Leyland CC for the rest of the season.

2nd XI - 

Another disappointing weekend for the 2s....

3rd XI - 

The 3rd XI travelled to Bolton Cricket Club to take on Oldham West CC1st XI.

It wasn't long however until the 3rd XI were back at Manchester Road to watch the 1st XI defeat Leyand CC in the Quarter Final of the Lancshire KO, due to a woeful batting performance which saw them bowled out for 75.

In reply the skipper turned to youth and both Rohan Fernando and Jacob Jervis, with his first senior wicket for CCC, picked up a wicket apiece.

Back to the drawing board for the 3rds!

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

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

Clifton’s defence started positively with Cross and JoeMcCann 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) causingthe home side to stall, a patient 58 by Gatenby-Brown steered them home with 5balls to spare.

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

2nd XI -

Micklehurst CC 1^st team were thevisitors to Manchester Road this week to play CCC 2^nds in a reverse ofthe 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 hotday. Rob Lord and Rob Meredith struck early to leave the visitors 16 for 2, buta good partnership saw Micklehurst through to 76 for 2 at the first drinksbreak. The next session was a key one in the game as the home team youngstersstarted to flag in the heat and the bowling became more erratic. A couple ofchances went to ground and the over rate slowed markedly. By the second drinksbreak Micklehurst had advanced to 179 for 4 and there were just 40 minutes leftto bowl the remaining 16 overs. In a bid to get through these overs, a numberof bowlers were used, from a mixture of short, and shortened (!) run ups. RobLord was the most effective of these, taking 3 for 55 from 14 overs, but thefinal 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 ChrisLord getting a brute of a delivery which reared up waist high off a goodlength from the visitors overseas amateur in the first over - Chris was onlyable to fend it off to gully where the catch was comfortably taken. Ben Sykesthen struck a few lusty retaliative blows, including one which landed in themiddle of Manchester Road, but one trip too many to the well too soon saw himcaught at long-on in the fourth over. By the first drinks break Clifton hadbeen reduced to 76 for 5, with Robert Lord, Chris Royle and Rob Reade also backin the tent. Partnerships were hard to come by and wickets fell regularly, somuch so that only the efforts of number 11 Rob Meredith meant that the seconddrinks break was even reached, at 160 for 9.  He fell soon after though, as the hostswere 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.

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

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

The Clifton innings started positively and runs flowedfreely. At 100-2 inside 20 overs the prospects of a second league victory ofthe season were excellent. However the loss of regular wickets, as batsmenfailed to adapt to the testing conditions, saw the visitors collapse to just153 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.

On a Saturday where there were a number of events on, inthe middle of exam season, the length of the roll of players unavailableresembled that of Harry and Meghan’s wedding guest list.

This handed the opportunity to two 13 year olds to maketheir senior debut and another to gain the valuable experience of a second gamekeeping wicket. Congratulations to Zach Flaxman, Mason Turner and Jacob Jervis,and also a big thank you to the returning to action Andy Tocher for helping theteam out at short notice, after Andy Lord dislocated his thumb playing 20-20 onFriday night.

Up against a strong Westleigh 1st X1 the CCC skipperbreathed a huge sigh of relief when the coin cane down on tails and hadabsolutely no hesitation in batting first. About an hour later we had beenreduced to 65 for 6 with only Andy Tocher (16) able to hang around with theskipper (41) for any length of time. This soon became 83 all out inside 30overs and, with teas not quite ready, the decision was taken to turn straightaround. Westleigh showed positive intent from the off in chasing down the tinytotal. Rob Meredith wasn’t going to roll over though, and removed their openerassisted by a sharp catch at cover by Andy Tocher. The very next ball saw ahuge appeal for what sounded like an outside through to the keeper but thiswasn’t given. And it’s safe to say that the edge of the bat wasn’t brought intoplay again, as the ball was dispatched to all parts of the ground, and mainlybeyond!, by Westleigh’s 6ft 7inch Aussie overseas amateur. With ball after balldisappearing into the canal, the game was over inside 10 overs, in a very onesided match.

Great experience for the juniors again, but a steeplearning curve for all, as division 2A is proving every bit as tough as weexpected.

Greenmount came out all guns blazing hitting regularboundaries but lost too many wickets doing so. Greenmount's professional played a few decent shotsbefore becoming Steve Cheetham's first of four victims (4/70).  Mo Ahmed came into the attack after14 overs and quickly tightened the game up and took regular which to finishwith an excellent 4-24. Greenmount finished 149 all out. This was an excellentwin and performance all round. 

And many thanks from Joe McCann to the Greenmount tea people for saving him a slice of homemade cheesecake for after the game.

2nd XI

A tough day at home.

The second XI welcomed another new GMCL league rival,Droylesdon CC 1st team, to Manchester Road this week. Droylesdon batted firstand were contained to just two runs an over in a fine opening spell of bowlingby the experienced pair of Greg Jennings and Rob Meredith. Greg in particularseemed to have the ball on a string and was unlucky not to make thebreakthrough early on as the skipper spilled a regulation catch at second slip.But perseverance paid off as Greg then clean bowled the other opener with thescore on 27 in the 15th over.

A fatigue-required change of bowling at both ends saw theinnings accelerate, but further chances were missed and these were to provecostly. Some fine stroke play, punishing the all too regular bad balls, mixedwith destructive power-hitting, and some pretty ordinary fielding at times,catapulted the score from 40 for 1 after 20 overs, to 256 for 6 in the full 50.Of the other 5 bowlers used, only Rob Reade was able to exercise the controlrequired, finishing with a well deserved 3 for 67.

Chris Royle and Dan Ainscough became the fourth differentopening pair used this season already, both immediately adopting a positiveapproach as they looked to chase down the huge total required for victory. At84 for 0 after 20 overs the early signs were excellent, but then Chris wasunable to keep out a good delivery and was clean bowled for 30. Greg followedshortly after, to make it 95 for 2. Dan continued to play positively, hittingthe two spinners to all parts of the ground, ably supported by Andy Lord. Butin trying to keep up with the required rate, one trip to the well too many sawDan stumped for an excellent 72 with the score on 123. The next three balls sawRob Reade and Andy depart, and effectively that was that. The innings slumpedto a very disappointing 153 all out, with none of the remaining batsman able toregister double figures.

The second team made their first trip to Micklehurst CricketClub on Saturday to play their first eleven with a very young but able Clifton side. The rain held and despite the cold temperatures and a very soft pitch the game commenced with Clifton batting first having lost the toss. It was a difficult start with conditions favouring the bowling attack and Clifton quickly fell to 29-3. A decent partnership between Chris Royle (30) and AndrewLord (36) then steadied the ship before a well played innings from EthanHarding (40) and some good late hitting brought the visitors to a total of208-7 from the 50 overs. The Home side definitely had the better of the pitch in the second innings and Clifton looked condemned to defeat at 170-3. The dismissal of their dominant batsmen by Rob Lord was the catalyst for a huge comeback. An outstanding spell from Andy Lord who finished with figures of 4-40and some excellent catching left the home side stunned as we bowled them out for 190 from 44 overs. 

Following a great first League win of the season on Saturday, the second team travelled to former Central LancashireLeague rivals Heywood CC on a bitterly cold Sunday for the first round of the2nd XI Cup.

Heywood were invited to bat first and got off to a steady start against a Clifton side boasting no fewer than six junior players, including 12 year old debutante Zach Flaxman.

The rather more experienced Rob Meredith gained an early breakthrough with Dan Ainscough taking a sharp catch at short cover. But some wayward bowling allowed the Heywood batsmen to settle as wide after wide kept the scoreboard ticking. The younger bowlers struggled to find a consistent line and length, the next wicket to fall aptly being a rather fortuitous (just below!) waist high non-pitching delivery from Rob Lord, hit straight to square leg where Ben Sykes held onto a low diving catch. When the bowlers did find the right areas it was difficult to score and there was a little bit in the wicket for them. Dan Ainscough got one to nip off the seam and take the outside edge, giving Zach his first 2nd team victim; the first of many to come. Unfortunately this type of delivery was the exception rather than the rule, as a total of 44 extras assisted Heywood to post a competitive looking 180 for 4, the only other wicket to fall being that of old adversaryRob Bennett who chopped on an Ethan Harding delivery for a well crafted 75.

The Clifton innings started slowly as the experienced Heywood opening bowlers hit the line and length that their younger Clifton counterparts struggled to find. Runs were at a premium and every attacking shot seemed to bring the chance of a wicket, Ben Sykes dropped twice before being clean bowled. Ian Morris was next to go, adjudged LBW, and both Dan Ainscough and Roman Slusarenko followed quickly, both playing poor shots offering simple catches. At the halfway point of the innings, after 25overs, Clifton had limped to 38 for 4. Ethan Harding was next to go, stumped for 4, and when Andy Lord followed, caught out for 7, with the score 62 for 6in the 35th over, a fat lady could be heard singing on the horizon.

However with opener Rob Lord staying patient, ably assisted by a wagging Clifton tail, runs eventually started to flow and Rob found his stride - well, he was made to start running between the wickets! The odd bonus boundary on the huge Heywood field catapulted the score up to 147 with 5 overs left and set nerves jangling amongst the fielding side.However the calmest fielder of all was female Lancashire CCC junior representative Olivia Thomas, who set herself superbly under a sky high spiralling catch to dismiss Rob Lord for 70. And this proved to be the turning point as the remaining batsmen couldn’t score at more than a run a ball, the innings falling 15 short and Clifton dumped out of the Cup at the first hurdle.

The 14 extras in the second innings showed the required discipline in the Heywood ranks and we wish them all the very best for a successful season and good Cup run.

Lots to learn for the Clifton youngsters as the 2nds now concentrate on the League.

1st XI - On a sunny day in Prestwich the home side won the toss, elected to field first and got off to the best possible start. 

Opener Will Davidson misread Stanbury's very first delivery by anticipating some away swing. Unfortunately for Will the ball held its line. Davidson looked to leave and he was struck on the pad and was sent packing 1st ball of the season. Stanbury managed to do the same again in his 3rd over as Adam Holt seemingly looked to leave and then changed his made but the bat didn't come down quick enough and he was bowled for 1.

That brought Sam Dorsey to the crease to join professional Gareth Cross and they set about rescuing the innings. Gareth started as he meant to go on by striking powerful boundaries to all parts. At the other end young Sam worked the ball around with ease and capitalised on anything that strayed. Both batsmen reached 50 around the same time after putting on a 120 run stand but soon after Dorsey latched quickly onto a short ball smashing it straight at mid-wicket and was gone for 51. 

Gareth decided this was the point to go into overdrive, he punished almost every ball he faced and had the Prestwich bowlers looking around for some inspiration. 

Crossy was supported nicely by Joe McCann who scored a steady 30 off 46 and when Gareth finally fell for an imperious 139 that brought Liam Hurt to the fray. Liam, who due to a slight injury was on batting duty only, blasted 22 off 12 including hitting the last ball for a huge maximum. All told Clifton amassed an imposing 271-4 setting up a thrilling second innings. 

Prestwich set about the Clifton total with force and raced to 57-0 despite an impressive opening spell of pace and seam movement from young Rob Lord. 

Our new recruit, 17 year old Mo Ahmad, opened with some spin from the tennis court end but struggled to find the right pace to bowl at the dangerous Lee Dale and James Wharmby. Mo then landed a peach which pitched middle and leg and ripped passed the outside edge into the elder Dorsey’s gloves and Wharmby was stumped for 24. 

Once Lord had finished his spell Cross gave himself the ball and single-handedly set about winning the game. He finished with figures of 6-17 and all six were almost carbon copies. No Prestwich batsmen could negotiate the late swing and were all either trapped on the crease LBW or bowled. Mo then settled in nicely at the other end and with some smart catching from Hurt and S.Dorsey he finished with a solid 4-43 and Prestwich were dismissed for 91.