Norden 1st XI vs Todmorden 1st XI – Sunday 31st May
The Stag Park crowd were treated to a thrilling contest that went right down to the final delivery, with Todmorden eventually edging out Norden in a dramatic finish.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Todmorden found themselves in early trouble at 27-3 thanks to some disciplined Norden bowling. However, an excellent fourth-wicket partnership of 83 between Sutcliffe (54) and Rickard (36) helped the visitors rebuild.
A couple of quick wickets left Todmorden wobbling at 145-7, but an unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 64 between skipper Priestley (48*) and Kavanagh (29*) propelled the visitors to a competitive 209-7 from their 50 overs.
Makin was the pick of the Norden attack with 3-41.
Norden’s reply started positively with an opening stand of 30, but four quick wickets saw the Stags slip to 44-4. Shipley (51) and Crabtree (60) then produced a superb fifth-wicket partnership of 121 to haul Norden back into contention.
Todmorden’s bowlers responded impressively during the closing stages, tightening the screw and swinging the game back in their favour. A late cameo from Friend, who struck 29 from just 19 balls, kept Norden’s hopes alive and ensured a tense finish.
With four runs required from the final ball, Masqood looked to clear the field but could only sky the ball back to Atkinson, who completed a well-judged caught-and-bowled chance to secure victory for Todmorden.
Sutcliffe was the standout bowler for the visitors with figures of 3-33 from his 15 overs.
Despite the defeat, Norden collected five points and move up to seventh place in the Lancashire League table.
Scorecard: https://www.lancashireleague.com/Scorecards/1420/1420925.html
Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py4T4g3zGhY
Seconds Gain Cup Revenge in Comprehensive Win
Todmorden 2nd XI vs Norden 2nd XI – Sunday 31st May
Norden’s Second XI gained revenge for their recent cup defeat with an emphatic victory over Todmorden.
The hosts won the toss and chose to bat first, but never managed to build any momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals throughout the innings. Hussain claimed 3-40, while Holt produced a superb spell of 6-21 to dismantle the Todmorden batting line-up.
Only Bux (48) and Dunkley (13) reached double figures as Todmorden were bowled out for just 91 in the 29th over.
The early wicket of Allen briefly raised home hopes, but Farooq’s composed 34 and an unbeaten 23 from Slater guided Norden to victory with the loss of only three wickets and with 26 overs remaining.
It continues an impressive unbeaten start to the league season for Dockers’ men.
Scorecard: https://www.lancashireleague.com/Scorecards/1421/1421187.html
Thirds Continue Fine Form at Great Harwood
Great Harwood 3rd XI vs Norden 3rd XI – Saturday 30th May
Stand-in skipper Collin won the toss and elected to bat, a decision that was fully justified by a strong Norden batting display.
Collin led from the front with 47, while Bunting added 35 as the pair shared an opening partnership of 71. Further contributions from Kirby (50) and Hindley (20*) ensured the Stags posted an impressive 215-9 from their 45 overs.
Great Harwood lost an early wicket but appeared well placed at 62-2 before Norden’s bowlers seized complete control.
Callum Hill (3-19), Hindley (2-12) and Uzair (2-10) ripped through the middle order as the hosts collapsed from a promising position to be bowled out for 103 in 28.5 overs.
Another excellent all-round performance saw Norden secure a comfortable victory.
Scorecard: https://www.lancashireleague.com/Scorecards/1421/1421994.html