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The  firsts  and  seconds  wound  up  their  2019  campaigns on  sunny  Saturday and  both  came  back  with  the  bacon. The  firsts  trounced already  relegated  Woodhouses who  looked  a  shadow  of  the  team  that  beat  us  on  their  own  patch  earlier in  the  season. Gareth  Cross  was  in  ebullient mood  as  he  first  came  on  as  second  change and  removed  five  visiting  batsmen for  fourteen  runs  as  they  capitulated  to  77  all  out.  Earlier, Ryan  Barker  had  dispatched  the  first  three  batsmen  in  just  four  balls,  leaving them  in  tatters at  6-3  and  there  were  two  wickets for  Adam  Holt  in  his  new  guise  as  off  spinner,  (when  he  wasn’t bowling  beamers).  The  reply  started sedately  until  Crossy realised  that  the  Premier  League 3pm  kick  offs  were  imminent, upon  which  he  launched  into  three  sixes  and  seven  fours  in  scoring  exactly 50  and  winning the  game  by  eight  wickets in  just  over  11  overs. The  side  remained unbeaten  in  August and  September  and  must  be  looking  forward to  2020  already and  welcoming  four  new  faces  from  Divisions 1A  and  1B  into  the  Premier  Division as  none  of  last  year’s relegated  sides  managed to  come  back.

1st XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/774771/1st_innings

The  seconds  completed the  formalities  of  winning  Division 3W  and  will  play  in  the  new  Division  2  next  season; the  fifth  tier  of  the  newly  reconstructed league.  With  Woodbank still  suffering  from  the  drainage problem  that  has  plagued  them  for  most  of  the  season,  conditions were  not  ideal, although  the  wicket was  marginally  better looking  than  the  outfield.  The  hosts  made  a  decent start  but  fell  away  badly  when  spin  was  introduced, with  Liam  Dorsey taking  five  wickets in  twenty-one  deliveries in  his  5-13  and  David  Dempster  taking 2-6  in  8  overs.  However, given  the  conditions, the  score  of  148  seemed not  far  off  par  and  so  it  proved  as  the  Clifton batsmen  toiled  and  grafted  their  way  towards victory.  In  the  end,  six  batsmen  managed to  claw  their  way  into  double  figures (Woodbank  managed  only  three)  with  Steve  Judge  top  scoring with  28.  Husty  Uryakhel’s  questionable batting  technique  suited the  conditions  perfectly as  the  asking rate  rose  and  in  the  final  analysis, victory  was  achieved by  three  wickets with  eleven  balls  to  spare.

2nd XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/774868/1st_innings

The  third  team’s  eagerly anticipated  top  of  the  table  clash  with  Whalley  Range  would  have  been  an  exciting  nail  biter  but  for  the  farcical  conditions which  tested  the  patience  of  umpires,  spectators and  players  alike. The  grey  skies  first  became light  drizzle  followed by  steady  rain  as  the  umpires  steadfastly stood  by  their  decision  to  carry  on  at  all  costs.  Some  of  the  players  resembled early  December  Rugby  League  players as,  caked  in  mud,  the  game  concluded in  a  ten  run  victory. Batting  first,  Sam  Dorsey  returned to  form  with  52  as  a  total  of  140-7  was  set  at  tea.  Wickets  then  tumbled  at  regular  intervals before  a  worrying ninth  wicket  partnership squelched  its  way to  a  partnership of  43  interspersed with  piles  of sawdust  and  ever more  sodden  cloths to  wipe  the ball.  With  only eleven  required,  as so  often  happens, two  wickets  fell in  three  balls and  the  players  and umpires  were  able to  trudge  off to  the  warmth of  the  showers. Mason  Turner  impressed amongst  the  bowlers, bowling  six  overs with  a  sopping ball  for  just thirteen  runs  and taking  three  wickets. The  championship  is  still  out of  our  hands however,  as  Nick’s boys  must  win both  remaining  games and  hope  that Whalley  Range  drop points  next  weekend.

3rd XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/775234/1st_innings

Pic: Jim Ainscough hits the winning boundary in the 2ndsfinal game of the 2019 season.

Results  went  the  way  of both  1sts  and  seconds  on  Saturday with  the seconds  taking  the  plaudits  by securing  the  Championship  of  Division  3W. Batting first  against  a  Walshaw  side  with  nothing to  play  for,  Chris  Lord (49)  and  Dan Ainscough  (62)  provided  a  platform  of 119  before  a  mini collapse  saw  four wickets  fall  for  13  runs.  Ethan Harding  (21),  Rohan Fernando  (12)  and  Jim Ainscough  (19)  steadied  the  ship  before the  tail took  the  score  beyond  200 and  well  out  of  Walshaw’s  grasp.  All five bowlers then took wickets, with Rohan’s 3 for 12 off  five  catching  the  eye,  as  Walshaw crumbled  to  79  all  out,  leaving  Jim and  his  team  to  celebrate  a  most unlikely  champions’  comeback  after  last year’s  trials  and  tribulations.

2nd XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/773665/1st_innings

The  firsts  became  the  tenth visiting  senior  side  to  leave  Woodbank without  bowling  a  ball  as  their  game became  one  of  only  two  in  the entire  nine  division  set  up  of  122 games,  to  be  abandoned.  However,  all three  of  the  remaining  relegation  places were  confirmed  as  wins  by  Monton  and Egerton  saw  Stand,  Monton  and  Woodhouses joining  Royton  in  the  new  Premiership League  1  next  season.

A win  for  the  thirds  at Greenmount,  put  them  within seven  points of  the  top  and  with  leaders  Whalley Range  coming  to  Manchester  Road  next week,  it  could  be  that  Nick  Flaxman’s side  emerge  from  nowhere  to  win  the Sunday  Premier  championship.  With  a  number of  players  unavailable,  the  team  had to  be  bolstered  by  junior  players from  the  first  and  second XI  in  order to  fulfill  the  fixture  and,  as expected,  they  had  a  key  role  in the  four  wicket  win.  Greenmount batted first  and  set  a  total  of  160  at exactly  four  an  over  with  the  wickets shared  fairly  evenly,  though  Kesh  weighed in  with  three  late  wickets  for  20 runs.  Dan  Ainscough  (48)  and  Sam Dorsey  (44)  produced  the  bulk  of  the reply,  but  they  were  well supported  by Harry  Golland  (29)  who  gave  up  on his  attempt  to  avoid  being run  out, when  it  appeared  to  spectators  on  the side  that  he  might  have  made  it quite  easily.  The winning  runs  were secured  with  seven  overs  to  spare setting  up  a  mouth-watering  clash  next week.

3rd XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/774095/1st_innings

Two  rain  affected wins  for  the  firsts  and  seconds  made  the  last  two  games  a  lot  more  relaxed proposition,  though  the  first’s  last  game  at  home  to  Woodhouses  could  still  be  all  to  play  for  in  the  relegation  stakes.

Table toppers  Denton  St  Lawrence  were  no  match  for  a  full  strength first  XI  that  saw  Haseeb Hameed,  Harry  Swindells and  Liam  Hurt  together  for  the  first  time.  However, it  was  Ryan  Barker  that  made  the  early  inroads, assisted  by  a  classical  ‘yes/no’ runout,  executed  with  perfection  by  Joe  McCann and  Will  Davidson. That  made  the  score  10-3  and  when  the  dangerous Hornbuckle  was  only  able  to  add  two  to  his  thousand  plus  runs  for  the  season, the  innings  quickly subsided  to  59  all  out  with  all  four  medium pacers  taking  two  wickets  apiece to  add  to  two  excellent run  out  executions. The  runs  were  duly  knocked off  with  the  minimum  of  fuss  despite a  duck  for  the  skipper, with  Harry  Swindells finishing  with  28  not  out  and  Adam  Holt  19  not  out,  to  secure an  eight  wicket win.  The  result opens  a  ten  point  gap  with  Woodhouses with  two  to  play,whilst the visitors, despite their humbling on the day, were able to celebratethe league title in farcical circumstances as nearest challengers Flixton werededucted five points under league rules, due to their second XI failing tofulfil their fixture. That completed a cup and league double for DSL who, infairness, have been the best side consistently all season.

1st XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/772438/1st_innings

The  seconds  won  a  thriller at  Edgworth  in  what  turned out  to  be  a  20  over  match  due  to  persistent  rain  in  the  Lancashire  hills. Edgworth  took  first  knock  and  rattled  up  151-2  building on  an  opening stand  of  110  in  14  overs.  However, Chris  Lord  and Keshana  Fonseka  laid  into  the  embattled  Edgworth bowling  attack  with  a  succession of  boundaries  that  brought  up  the  hundred partnership  in  just nine overs  before  Chris  Lord  perished. That  left  the  remaining  batsmen with  the  relatively simple  task  of  scoring  at  just  over  four  an  over  to  complete  a  second  eight  wicket  win  on  the  day.  Young  Kesh  finished with  56  off  34  balls  and  less  young  Lordy  with  54  off  35  balls.  Dave Dempster and  Dan  Ainscough saw  it  through with  nine  balls  to  spare.

2nd XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/772580/1st_innings

The thirds  made  it  a  triple  success for  the  weekend with  yet  another rain  affected  game  on  Sunday. The  game  was  first  reduced to  30  overs  per  side  with  Keshana again  top  scoring with  61,  out  of  a  total  of  130  all  out,  as  later  batsmen sacrificed  their  wickets at  an  alarming rate  in  the  search  for  runs.  Visitors Deane  and  Derby  then  lost  a  further eight  overs  due  to  rain  during  the  tea  interval and  a  revised target  of  119  in  22  overs  was  set.  In  truth,  the  batting  line  up  never  seriously  challenged that  total  as  Jack  Barton chopped  and  changed his  bowlers  around. In  the  end  they  fell 23  runs  short with  Paul  Greenhalgh being  the  pick of  the  bowlers, conceding  only  13  in  his 7  overs  and capturing  three  of the  first  five wickets  to  fall. 

3rd XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/772874/2nd_innings

Picture: Deane& Derby batsman run out in the most unfortunate circumstances!

The  stalwart  efforts of  Bill  Dorsey and  Andy Barton  at Bamford  Fieldhouse  meant that  both  firsts and  seconds  got games  in  with the  firsts  managing to  start  on time  and  as a  result,  pick up  the  maximum six  points  and  a  league double  against  the ‘noisy  neighbours’  from Roe  Green.  The seconds also won but were only able tosecure five points as the game started late.

At Clifton, the positive influence exerted by Haseeb Hameedupon Adam Holt continued after the bowlers had terrorised the Roe Green batsmeninto submission on the damp wicket.  LiamHurt was chief executioner with a remarkable 4-14 off 12 overs but he was wellsupported by Ryan Barker (3-38) and Gareth Cross (2-26) as the Green were sent tumblingto tea with just 83 on the board, a total achieved in almost 37 overs.  Haseeb (42no) and Adam (37) then took thescore to within three of victory before the latter was dismissed. Gareth cameto the crease to follow up on his century at the Green in the reverse fixtureand faced just one ball as Haseeb   crashedthe first ball of the next over for the winning boundary.  The result opens a seven-point gap to therelegation places and a win against bottom side Royton next week should ensure PremierLeague status in the new GMCL set up next season.

1st XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/769912/1st_innings

A somewhat depleted 2nd XI secured a workmanlike win atBamford Fieldhouse in a game reduced to 26 overs.  The two Robs, Reade and Meredith,surprisingly failed to break through as the home side  took first  knock,  but the  introduction  of Dave  Dempster  and  Husty  Uryakhel, both  broke  through the  partnership  and slowed  down  the scoring  rate  with  Husty  conceding just  nine  in his  five  over spell.  The final total of 108-6was achieved at a fraction over four an over and Jim Ainscough and Chris Lordprovided the platform with a stand of 23 in four overs before Jim was unluckilyadjudged lbw.  Liam Dorsey (32) and DaveDempster (27no) then secured the seven wickets win with a couple of overs tospare.  The result opened an eleven-pointgap over the two clubs in 2nd and 3rd place with four games remaining.

2nd XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/770068/1st_innings

With  Saturday proving  to  be  yet  another wash-out,  the  firsts gained  a  two  point  advantage over  Woodhouses  who  somehow  managed to  get  a  game  in  and  lost.

That  changed the  focus  to  Sunday  and  the  2^nd  XIs  first  tilt  at  silverware in  the  Premier Cup  Final  against 2^nd  Division  opponents in  Prestwich.  Sadly, a  succession  of  factors  contributed to  a  disappointing defeat  in  an  exciting  match  in  which  both  sides  refused  to  let  the  weather  dampen the  tension.  Having lost  the  toss,  the  advantage of  batting  second was  key  for  Prestwich  and  when  the  batting  line  up  failed to  get  to  grips  with  the  difficult conditions  and  were  bowled  out  for  a  disappointing  90,  that  advantage was  cemented.  Prestwich started  well  but  the  introduction of  spin  changed the  impetus.  David  Dempster  struck in  his  first  over  as  did  Sam  Dorsey  and  Prestwich,  from  33-0,  suddenly found  themselves  61-6  with  DD  taking  4-14  in  his  9  overs  and  Sam  2-15  in  8.  However, the  rain  did  have  the  final  word  as  two  breaks  not  only  reduced the  target  (albeit only  by  three  runs),  but  turned  the  ball  to  a  piece  of  soap  which  the  returning  medium pacers  found  it  hard  to  manage  and  seventh  and  eighth  wicket partnerships  of  thirteen and  fourteen  saw  the  opponents limp  home.  The  ‘wide’  count  of  twenty to  Prestwich’s  three  was  also  crucial  in  such  a  low  scoring game,  but  it  was  tough  on  Jim  Ainscough’s  young  side  that  contained  six  junior  players, but  they  will  now  turn  their  focus  to  winning the  league  title  and  an  enhanced  place  in  the  new  2020  GMCL  set-up.

2nd XI Cup Final Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/769105/1st_innings

The ‘deadline day’ signing of Haseeb Hameed and a return to bowlingaction for Liam Hurt, provided the injection of confidence that the firsts desperatelyneeded in their bid to stave off relegation. However, it wasn’t without its trials, as the bowling, on a benign wicket,was less than convincing as Monton took first use of the facilities.  An early strike by Ryan Barker bode well, buta second wicket partnership of 199 in 227 balls and the concession of 53 extrassaw the visitors pile up 264 despite Gareth Cross returning for a second spell thatbrought him five late wickets.  A  good start  in  chasing such  a  big total,  was  imperative and  Adam  Holt responded  well  to his  new  opening partner  as  they put  on  122  in  28 overs  before  Haseeb (pictured)  fell  for 53,  to  provide the  perfect  platform for  the  resulting 6.5  per  over chase.  Holty and Gareth Cross thenput together a stand of 95 in 88 balls before the former fell for 79.  There was  a  small hiccup  as  Liam Hurt  and  Joe McCann  both  failed, but  by  now the  skipper  was in  top  gear and  with  the help  of  six fours  and  five sixes,  he  smashed 38  of  the 51  still  required to  finish  92 not  out  and pick  up  a fabulous  win  with an  over  to spare,  that  lifted his  side  out of  the  bottom four.

1st XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/767326/1st_innings

The seconds opened up a six-point gap at the top thanks to afairly straightforward win at Monton and Irlam’s surprise defeat to relegation threatenedEdgworth.  Chris Lord and Kesh Fonseka puton 36 before both fell in quick succession, but partnerships of 38, 33 and 42 sawthem progress to 152-4 with ten overs remaining.  However, a collapse ensued and despite 60 fromDavid Dempster, the team failed to bat out their overs and had to settle for a disappointing172.  The contrast in the early partnershipsfor the hosts (15, 12, 4 and 13) was the difference in the end as Rob Reade    took the first four wickets for 27 and DavidDempster chipped in with 3-33, which saw the hosts all out for 101.

2nd XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/767385/1st_innings

The thirds failed to make it a triple for the weekend when theywere well beaten by a strong Greenmount side that boasted a good mix of youth andexperience.  Their youthful element were animportant eighteen months or so older than Nick Flaxman’s four juniors who willsurely come into their own in the next two seasons.  Greenmount got off to a good start, but creditto the bowlers as they clawed their way back into the game from 164-3 to 183-9.  A last wicket partnership of 52 put the game outof reach however and despite a partnership of 47 between Andy Tocher (16) and DaveWalsh (27), the innings folded under the pressure of needing six an over and closedon exactly 100.

3rd XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/767833/1st_innings

The   firsts   slipped  back  into   the  dreaded   bottom   four  with   another   below  par   performance   against  a   side   languishing  in   the   bottom  half   of   the  table.   Egerton   batted  first   and   found  runs   difficult   to  come   by   in  the   early   stages  as   Gareth   Cross  and   Ryan   Barker  bowled   some   tight  lines.   However,   from  49-4   off   20  overs,   a   stubborn  partnership   ensued   that  proved   in   the   final   analysis,  to   be   the  game’s   deciding   factor.  From   122-5,   the  late   middle   order  accumulated   runs   nicely  and   in   the  end   posted   a  challenging   195-6   on   a   wicket  that   seemed   to  favour   the   bowler.  So   it   proved  after   tea   as  Crossy’s   batsmen   also  struggled   to   amass  50   in   the  first   20   overs.  The   skipper   and  Joe   McCann   both  got   into   the  forties   but   the  necessary   acceleration   was  difficult   with   no  pace   on   the  ball   on   a  wicket   that   seemed  to   grab   the  ball.   Eventually   the  innings   petered   out  to   158-9   with  the   tail   sacrificing  themselves   in   pursuit  of   an   impossible  task.

1st XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/762481/1st_innings

The   seconds   got  back   to   winning  ways   and   opened  up   a   nine  point   gap   against  their   third   placed  opponents   with   the  added   bonus   of  a   six   point  gap   to   second  as   Irlam   also  lost.   The   platform  was   undoubtedly   the  109   run   opening  partnership   between   13  and   14   year  olds   Zach   Flaxman  (41)   and   Keshana  Fonseka,   who   was  run   out   three  runs   short   of  yet   another   century.  The   rest   of  the   batting   order  flailed   the   willow  to   good   effect  in   posting   a  total   of   243-9  which   looked   to  be   an   imposing  target   for   the  visitors,   despite   the  fact   that   this  was   Worsley’s   first  XI.   There   were  a   few   jitters  in   the   early  overs   of   the  reply,   as   there  were   60   runs  without   loss   on  the   board   at  the   end   of  the   eighth   over.  However,   once   the  pace   was   taken  off   the   ball,  the   batsmen   struggled  to   maintain   the  pace   with   wickets  falling   at   regular  intervals   and   young  Kesh   alleviating   the  disappointment   of   missing  out   on   the  ton   by   taking  4-24   as   the  visitors   finished   155  all   out,   securing  a   bonus   point  win   for   Rob Reade’s   side.

2nd XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/762718/1st_innings

The  thirds  lost an  entertaining  tussle at  Springhead  on Sunday,  despite  being in  the  ascendancy for  the  majority of  the  game. Dave  Walsh  smashed  58 in  32  balls out  of  a partnership  of  69 with  Zach  Flaxman (33)  who,  along with  Harry  Golland (25)  took  the score  to  123-2 before  there  was something  of  a collapse  before  the tail  end  rallied to  post  180-9. Springhead’s  reply  struggled to  get  any momentum  against  Jack Barton  (10  overs for  24  runs) and  Jake  Jervis (6  overs  for  8  runs) and  when  Paul Greenhalgh  and  Mason Turner  then  grabbed wickets,  the  hosts were  left  at 95-4  needing  86 off  the  remaining ten  overs.  However,  with 4.5 overs remaining, Springhead  then  produced their  own  match winner  who  smashed five  fours  and five  sixes  in an  unbeaten  53 of  just  19 balls  to  give the  hosts  an unlikely  win  with  5 balls  to  spare.  

3rd XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/763051/1st_innings

Despite a much needed win for the firsts, it was adisappointing weekend for the club overall as the seconds gave away theirunbeaten record without so much as a whimper and the Kingfishers T20 hopes weredashed in a lacklustre semi-final defeat.

An important and comfortable win at picturesque Stand onSaturday (see pic) was tempered by the news that all the teams around them,(with the exception of Monton who lost a thriller at Roe Green off the game’sfinal delivery) also picked up winning points. Taking the field with newsigning Harry Swindells in tow, it was the skipper who provided the platformfor the win with two early scalps and with Ryan Barker also getting in on theaction, the home team quickly slumped to 51-6. There was a slightly morespirited rear-guard action, but that only took the score to a paltry 115,which, thanks to scores in the forties from Gareth Cross and Adam Holt, wasnever enough to stop the points heading back down the M60 to Clifton.

1st XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/760913/1st_innings

Meanwhile, back at HQ, the seconds were having the mother ofall bad days at the office as the ability to field the ball, catch the ball,bowl the ball and hit the ball, virtually all deserted them in an abjectdisplay against an Astley & Tyldesley side who must have thought they’drocked up at the wrong ground, not the home of the unbeaten league leaders.First they were presented with 213 runs which was around twice what they shouldhave scored and then left a young bowler pinching himself in disbelief as hewas driven back home with no fewer than eight wickets next to his name oncricHQ. Scant positives were another decent knock by Ethan Harding (53 off 60)and three wickets for David Dempster along with the fact that the side remaintop of the table, but only now by virtue of having more wins.

2nd XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/760822/1st_innings

If Saturday was a bad hair day for the seconds, theKingfishers’ attempt to re-claim the 2016 T20 crown was akin to Ken Dodd’sbarnet as they were comprehensively beaten by Prestwich in the semi-final.Things went wrong from beginning (a first ball wide and a first over concessionof 23), to end, when Robert Lord holed out leaving his side 87 all out, seventyruns short. The only smiles recorded on the Clifton supporters faces amongstthe paltry crowd on the day, were when Ryan Barker (4-33) achieved a mostunlikely hat trick in the circumstances and when Robert Lord hit the sweetestreverse sweep that it looks possible to deliver. Prestwich went on the batterDenton West by an even bigger margin in the final, but that was scant consolationon a desperately disappointing day.

Kingfishers Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/manage/fixtures/890086/result

The 2016 T20 champions eased into a date with Finals Daywith another stunning victory in the quarter final in front of a bumpersun-soaked crowd on Friday. Greenfield started with intent, scoring at morethan nine per over in the early stages as the ball flew over the billiard tableoutfield to the boundary if it was a mere yard to either side of the fielder.Rob Lord then put the brakes on with a good, pacy and tight spell and in theend, the visitors had to settle for 151-6, as Joe McCann’s second spell broughthim three wickets and final figures of 4-32. Wickets fell at vital times inthose last eight overs, with particular credit going to David Dempster for astunning ankle high catch in the deep to remove the dangerous Da Silva for 64,just as he was winding up for the final onslaught. The reply stuttered intolife as Adam Holt was comprehensively stumped on walkabout, off the final ballof the first over, but Joe McCann (27 off 25) and Gareth Cross then piled on 85in the next eight overs before Joe was bowled by Wooley who finished with aremarkable 1-11 off his four overs. Sam Dorsey took over, sensibly finding hisfeet at first before launching into professional De Silva with a decisivetriple of boundaries in successive balls. When the skipper fell for 77 off just46 balls, there were just ten runs required which teenagers Sam (27 from 28)and Dan (5 from 6) knocked off, resulting in victory with a full two overs tospare. Despite the game yielding over 300 runs, the noisy crowd were treated toonly two ‘sixes’ in the entire game; a remarkable stat in the circumstances,but the burgers and beer made up for the lack of maximums on the sort ofevening that we need to experience a little more often in our great Britishsummer.

Kingfishers Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/758502/1st_innings

The firsts failed to carry their T20 form into Saturday’sleague game and went down to a worrying defeat against Woodhouses wholeapfrogged them in the league table. Batting first, there was an extremelylopsided look to the scorecard with five batsmen failing to reach double figuresin a collapse that took the score to 57-6. There followed a marvellouspartnership and debut Clifton half centuries for Ryan Barker (66no) and RobLord (69) who took the score to 197-7 at tea. However, the self-destruct buttonwas pressed again as the hosts were gifted 56 extras including 41 wides thatallowed the hosts to coast home by six wickets with ten overs to spare.

1st XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/758771/1st_innings

The seconds won a pulsating match against a strong Woodbankoutfit in a game of almost 500 runs. It was young Kesh Fonseka who provided theplatform with yet another century that incorporated a partnership of 135 withIan Morris (54) as Rob Reade’s side, decimated by injury, illness andunavailability, posted an impressive 252-5. With no fewer than six playersunder 15 in the side, older heads were very well aware at tea, given thequality of the opposition, batting friendly conditions and a lightning fastoutfield, that there was still work to do. So it proved as the Woodbank openersset off like a train. However Rob Reade juggled his bowlers well and wicketsfell at vital times despite the visitors edging nearer and nearer to theirtarget, making them favourites for large portions of the reply. In the end, itwas some good tight bowling and some really impressive fielding from the youngstersthat provided enough of a stranglehold to leave the visitors just nine runsshort at the end of a high quality and thoroughly enjoyable game of cricket.

2nd XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/758870/1st_innings

The seconds’ form continued into Sunday’s cup tie, albeitwith a much changed team, as teenagers Sam Dorsey and Dan Ainscough took abreak from the stresses of the first team to notch up unbeaten half centuriesthat made light work of Glossop’s 122. Earlier, Rob Reade (3-32) made earlyinroads into the Glossop top order and Dave Dempster (2-19) made sure that themiddle order didn’t get any impetus before young Rohan Fernando (3-16) polishedoff the stubborn tail end. The nine wicket win, completed in 23 overs, gave theside that one just one game last season, a place in the semi-final to sit nicelywith their unbeaten top of the table position.

2nd XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/759324/1st_innings

A number of Saturday’s 2nd XI heroes, returned to their 3rdXI duties on Sunday and the experience stood them in good stead as the thirdscompleted a comfortable win against a Stretford side hampered by giving theirprime bowlers only eight overs each because they didn’t know the rules!!  Joe Parker opened the innings and put afurther 69no runs in Saturday’s shopping trolley as he became one of those rarebatsmen who have carried their bat through an entire innings. The rest battednicely around him as Messrs Walsh (25), Brown (20), Golland (29), and Barton(23), took the score to 192-4. The seven bowlers then shared the wickets outwith Barty being the pick with 3-17 as the thirds secured a comfortable 39 run winwhich lifted them into equal second spot, level with three other sides.

3rd XI Scorecard - https://www.crichq.com/matches/759371/1st_innings

The June weather effectivelydestroyed any meaningful cricket at the weekend, with the exception of thethird XI Cup Tie against Elton, which descended into farce as the game wasplayed to a conclusion in nothing short of a downpour for the best part of twentyovers. In the end, the game was deservedly won by the hosts, skippered by IanMorris in the absence of Nick Flaxman. However, strictly speaking, Elton shouldhave been in a position to take a crack at a bowl out, whether or not theydeserved it in cricketing terms, as the conditions in which the game ended werebordering on ridiculous. It’s a pity that the game may be remembered for thedeluge in which it finished, when it should be remembered for a first seniorcentury for a young man who is surely destined for greater things, as 13 yearold Keshana Fonseka carried his bat through the Clifton innings, finishing on104 not out; just under half the 209-5 that was posted. Young Kesh hasflourished in the last two seasons and his shot selection, placement and timingare a joy to behold at times. As the heavens opened during the tea interval,the rain relented briefly enough for a successful mop up to be initiated, withthe visitors requiring 143 from the 21 overs remaining. The reply started ingathering gloom, with wickets falling at regular intervals as the drizzleturned into steady rain and then a deluge of biblical proportions. However, theumpires, the sole arbiters of whether or not to call it a day, remainedsteadfast in their decision to stay put come rain or… well….more rain. Thebottom line was a finishing total of 65-9 and a win for the thirds by 144 runs;a statistic that gives the team a place in the next round but doesn’t fullytell the story of a bizarre game of cricket.

On Friday, the T20 against Montonwas terminated early, without any prospect of play and the foul weather enduredinto Saturday as the entire League programme was washed away.

Monday 29th July to Friday 2nd August 2019

At Clifton Cricket Club, Manchester Road, Clifton, M27 6NB.

Open to boys and girls aged 6-13yrs.

Sessions will be run from 10am to midday and 1pm to 3pm.

There will be a break for lunch (Children to bring their own lunch, during which the children will be supervised at the club).

Coaches will be at the club between 9am and 4pm for early drop off and late pick up if required.

Why join our Summer Junior cricket academy?

• Enjoy a sporty start to the summer school holidays
• The main aim of the course is for children to learn in a fun and safe environment
• All sessions are geared to the children’s abilities, so whether you’re a serious budding Joe Root, Heather Knight, or an absolute beginner, the coaches will adapt the sessions to benefit all.

How much does it cost?

• The total cost for the full week is £75 per child (if you have more than one child who wish to attend, please see Jim for a discounted ‘2^nd child’ rate)

For further details please speak to your age group Manager.