Match Report

Match Report Sat 31 May: 1st XI vs Horwich RMI CC (Away)

Tue 3 Jun 2025

Pelser Punishes Clifton with Six-Wicket Haul in Away Defeat

Sam Dorsey’s men arrived at Horwich RMI on Saturday morning as a depleted group, with the usual opening bowlers and the opening bat missing from the 11. One of them withdrawing on the morning of the game with illness.

Any side in the league would struggle to lose 3 keys players in those positions, so it was pretty clear that it would need big scores from the pro or the overseas and a few others to step up in order to win this one. The gap in the opening bowling attack was due to be plugged by second team veteran Rob Meredith, but he missed the late Saturday morning call up!

Clifton batted first under early afternoon clouds and scattered showers, where Zach Flaxman joined Matt Van Dyk in opening the batting. Zach dug in patiently to hang around for 20 overs, showing promise that he could do a job against the new ball, before eventually being bowled by the evergreen Brett Pelser for a solid 19 off 62. Before Zach had got his pads off, 3 more quick wickets fell and left Clifton perilous on 60/7, and in grave danger of being rolled out for 80 odd. Pelser ripping through 6 of the top 7 batmen with a masterclass in line, length and movement through the air.

A gritty 71-run partnership from Matthew Howarth (54) – back in a more comfortable role at number 7 – along with a solid and composed knock from 17yr old Dan Jones (20) pushed the visitors to a respectable total of 133 and at least gave them something to bowl at. A welcome change on recent events where a middle and lower collapse has become a worryingly, weekly occurrence.

The defensive of a below par total got off to an encouraging start, with Finlay Testa’s pace too much to handle for the top order, leaving them with a challenge on their hands at 25/3 after 11 overs, with the top 3 all sat in the shed sipping on their £4 pints of Cruzcampo. No wonder the clubhouse was full all afternoon.

The pro, Evan Williams, came to the crease with Jack Berry to put on a 62-run partnership to take the game away from Clifton, as the bowling changes toiled in trying to make the breakthrough. The introduction of off spin from Liam Dorsey removed the pro and gave the visitors some hope, but it was soon extinguished by a 30-run partnership that left the hosts only a few hits from victory as the 5th wicket fell.

The story of the game was a lack of seam bowling options and a rare occurrence of no significant runs from the Clifton top order, highlighting the reliance on having the best 11 available if they want to be competitive in this league. The second team lads stepped up and held their own, but a bit more quality is needed to lift this side away from the bottom half of the table.

Good job it’s only the league leaders up next….

Picture: View over Horwich RMI CC to Rivington.