Saturday 24th May

After a bye in the first round the Stags enetertained Haslingden in the second round of the Worsley Cup. Skipper Crabtree won the tos and elecetd to field. It looked hard work as Griffin (27) and Sudworth (42) put on 51 for the first wicket. The prize wicket of Haslingden professional Neil Brand was taken for just 11 by Jack Taylor, well caught at cover by Maqsood. Some middle order reistenace from Firend (20), Hunsley (43) and Lord (26*) meant Haslinden reached 243-9 from their 50 overs. Wickets were shared.

The skipper opted to use Dom Humphreys as a pinch hitter, and was well rewarded as the talemnted all-rounder blasted 63 from just 31 balls to break the back of the run chase. Jack Taylor again batted superbly, reaching another half century. The stags cruised home with over 15 overs to spare
Scorecard: http://www.lancashireleague.com/Scorecards/1372/1372477.html
Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoZQU4IlhDM

The 2’s made light work of Bacup in the second round of the Junior Knockout. Modessar took 7-15 from his 9.5 overs, blowing Bacup away for just 51. In reply Norden youngsters Olly Kirkby (32*) and Stevie Butterworth (20*) reached the required target for the loss of no wickets from 6.3 overs.
Scorecard : http://www.lancashireleague.com/Scorecards/1372/1372454.html

The 1’s have a drawn Greenmount at home, whilst the 2’s travel to Todmorden in the 3rd round. Games scheduled to take place on Saturday 14th of June

Sunday 25th May

The Stags were on the road to Scott Street for the second part of the weekends double header. Hooson won the toss and invited the Stags to bat. A fine 3rd wicket partnership saw Mckeown (61) and Blackwood (35) crusing at 105-2. Wickets then fell at regular intervals as the stags middle order all grafeted, but found it tough. We closed on 205 all out from 47.1 overs, which looked a good 50+ short.

A tough task got harder as Maqsood pulled up injured after 2.3 overs (0-3). Blackwood picked up a couple of early wickets, including the Walsden professional Wimalasekara for just 1. Wickets continued to fall, but he Stags could not remove Hooson (84*). It all looked a lost cause with Waslden on 203-8. However Dean Lord had different ideas and took two wickets in two balls to lead the Stags to an unlikely victory.
Scorecard : http://www.lancashireleague.com/Scorecards/1373/1373252.html

The 2’s faced Nelson at home, and Docker invited the visitors to bat first. Lister (86) and Manf (40) did the damage as Nelson clocked up 223-9 after theri 45 overs. Farooq took 3-52.

Hash Malik rolled the years back with 62 off just 35 balls but when O’Neill fell with the score on 133-6 it looked a lost cause. However, young Abu Farooq had other ideas. The 15 year old, batting at 3, was still unbeaten and went about marshalling the lower order. A superb innings of 94* led the Stags to victory with 9 wickets down and a few balls to spare. This really was a special knock, showing experience much beyond his years

Scorecard : http://www.lancashireleague.com/Scorecards/1373/1373582.html
Highligjhts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHyeqbeBrfU

Monday 26th May

Bank Holiday Monday saw the Stags 3’s travel to Hare Hill to face Littleborough. Our lads bowled well and skittled them for 115, with wickets all shared. Unfrotuanetly rain came and the Stags didn’t get chance to bat, with 5 points each taken for a rained off game.
Scorecard : http://www.lancashireleague.com/Scorecards/1373/1373866.html

The club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of long time mebers Pauline Almond and Alan Whillock.

Alans funeral service will take place at Rochdale Crematorium on Friday 30th May at 13:20.

Both will be greatly missed and our deepest sympathies go out to all their family and friends.

A welcome return to Saturday cricket saw Norden Cricket Club host Middleton at Reside Stag Park, and what unfolded was a thrilling contest that kept spectators on edge until the final delivery.

Captain Lee Crabtree won the toss and, for the first time this season, chose to bat first. Openers Crabtree and Taylor laid a solid foundation, putting on 43 for the first wicket. After McKeown came and went cheaply, debutant professional Jermaine Blackwood made an immediate impact, launching his second delivery for a towering six over midwicket — setting the tone for a fearless innings. Taylor brought up a composed half-century from 72 balls before falling soon after. Blackwood, undeterred, accelerated through the middle overs, racing to his fifty in just 37 deliveries. However, he struggled to find stable partners, with wickets tumbling at the other end. At 218-7 with 13 overs remaining, Norden risked falling short of a competitive total. Enter Willis (25) and Devine (17*), who provided crucial lower-order runs to lift Norden to a competitive 257-9 from their 50 overs — a score considered par on a pitch that offered a bit for both bat and ball.

Middleton’s reply got off to a disastrous start as Shipley was run out for a diamond duck, attempting a risky single to the professional. Despite the early setback, Gregoriou and Tierney countered well to bring Middleton to 68-3.

That brought Middleton professional Price to the crease, who, alongside former Stag Udwadia. Their partnership of 109 swung momentum in Middleton’s favour as they worked the field brilliantly and kept the scoreboard ticking. With the game slipping away, it took an inspired spell from Dom Humphreys to shift the tide. He applied pressure with a tight spell and delivered a game-changing moment — an outstanding caught-and-bowled to dismiss the dangerous Price. With wickets now falling consistently and the required run rate climbing, Norden clawed back control. However, Udwadia remained a threat, playing calculated shots and exploiting any loose deliveries. The equation came down to 12 required from the final over, bowled by Maqsood. He held his nerve superbly, executing his plans with precision. With 7 needed off the final ball, Middleton’s hopes ended with a wicket — sealing a dramatic 6-run victory for Norden.
Scorecard : https://norden.play-cricket.com/website/results/6685693
Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NXNMQPdFyc

2nd XI Victory at Great Harwood

The 2nd XI travelled to Great Harwood, where Captain Malik lost the toss and was asked to field. The opening bowlers responded brilliantly, maintaining tight lines and applying early pressure. Only three Great Harwood batsmen reached double figures, with opener Corish top scoring with a patient 77 (101). Norden’s standout bowler, Hussain, delivered an excellent spell, finishing with 3 for 19.

Set 183 to win from 45 overs, the chase began steadily with useful contributions from Kirkby and Allen, guiding Norden to 71-3. A brief middle-order collapse left them wobbling at 115-6, but a calm, match-winning partnership between Lord (48*) and S. Waheed (36*) saw the Stags home with 2 overs to spare, securing a four-wicket victory.
Scorecard : https://norden.play-cricket.com/website/results/6686516

Round 4 of the Lancashire League saw The Stags travel to Hare Hill to take on Littleborough, looking to build on their strong performance the previous week. Captain Crabtree once again lost the toss, with Norden being asked to field first. With temperatures climbing into the mid-20s and a flat-looking wicket, it was shaping up to be a long day in the field.

With Chris Humphreys unavailable, Dean Lord stepped in to partner Maqsood with the new ball. Littleborough made a steady start, putting on 45 for the first wicket. A couple of dropped chances early on prevented what could have been a brighter start for Norden. Despite chances being hard to come by, tight spells from Maqsood and Stuart kept the scoring in check.

The return of the fit-again Dom Humphreys injected energy into the attack, and he delivered key breakthroughs by dismissing both the Littleborough captain and professional. A sixth-wicket partnership between Hernon and Williamson steadied the innings for the hosts, taking them to 151-6 with seven overs remaining. However, Boro collapsed shortly after, losing 4 wickets for just 15 runs in 3 overs, finishing on 165 all out.

Norden’s chase began positively, with Crabtree and Taylor finding early boundaries. A few quick wickets saw the innings wobble slightly, but a composed 52-run stand between Yates and Stuart pushed The Stags past the halfway mark. After another flurry of wickets, Holt and Humphreys combined effectively, adding 53 unbeaten runs to guide Norden to a hard-fought and well-deserved 12-point victory.
Scorecard : https://norden.play-cricket.com/website/results/6685684

2nd XI

Looking to bounce back from the previous week’s disappointment, the 2nd XI hosted the reverse fixture at home. With conditions in their favour, skipper Docker won the toss and elected to bat. The innings was built on several starts, but only O’Neill managed to pass fifty, finishing unbeaten on 52*. The Stags posted a competitive 211-7 from their 45 overs.

In reply, Littleborough recovered well after losing an early wicket. At 60-2 with 25 overs remaining, the match was finely poised. However, hopes of a tight finish were dashed as opener Pye took control, anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 114*, guiding Boro home with 4 overs to spare.
Scorecard : https://norden.play-cricket.com/website/results/6686513
Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5GE7-HYeZg

3rd XI

The 3rd XI returned to Reside Stag Park, this time welcoming local rivals Rochdale CC. After winning the toss and electing to bat, the hosts posted a solid 206-7 from their 40 overs, thanks in large part to Thorpe’s continued fine form with a powerful unbeaten 84*.

In response, Norden’s bowlers kept the pressure on throughout, never allowing Rochdale to build any meaningful partnerships. Regular wickets fell, and standout figures from Andrew (3-31) and Ali (3-34) helped wrap up the visitors for 169, sealing another strong win for The Stags.
Scorecard : https://norden.play-cricket.com/website/results/6686883

The third round of the Lancashire Premier League season saw the Norden First XI travel to Birch Hall to face a consistently strong Darwen CC. After three weeks of sunshine, a difficult wicket was expected, and when captain Crabtree lost the toss, Darwen chose to bat first.

The experienced opening bowling duo of Chris Humphreys and Tahir Maqsood made an immediate impact, sharing early wickets to leave the home side struggling at 38-7 after just 18 overs. Darwen were eventually bowled out for 63, with Maqsood claiming his maiden five-wicket haul for the Stags and Humphreys finishing with remarkable figures of 4 for 4 from his 9 overs.

Norden’s chase began shakily with two early wickets, bringing sub-professional Jamal Stuart and Jack Taylor to the crease. Taylor appeared to be batting on a different pitch, anchoring the innings with a composed, match-winning 32 not out as wickets continued to fall at the other end. Norden reached their target in the 14th over, wrapping up the win by 3:20 PM.
Scorecard : https://norden.play-cricket.com/website/results/6685678

Second XI Fall Just Short in Entertaining Clash

At Reside Stag Park, the Second XI hosted Darwen in the reverse fixture. The visitors won the toss and opted to bat on a pitch that looked ideal for batting. A fine century by Darwen’s number three, Rehman, laid the foundation for a competitive total. However, tight bowling—especially from Sam Butterworth (4-59)—helped restrict the visitors to 236-6 from their 45 overs.

In reply, Norden suffered early setbacks with the wickets of Collin and Malik, but a solid 119-run partnership between Butterworth (57) and Holt (51) reignited the chase. Butterworths first 50 for Norden. Unfortunately, key wickets fell in quick succession, and the innings never fully recovered. Norden were eventually bowled out for 221, with last man Bebb falling in the final over—just 16 runs short.
Scorecard : https://norden.play-cricket.com/website/results/6686507
Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqkLCcBhO_E

Third XI Make Light Work of Nelson on Bank Holiday Monday

On Bank Holiday Monday, the Third XI welcomed Nelson CC to Reside Stag Park. Nelson won the toss and chose to bat on what looked a good surface. Opener Lister led the way for the visitors with a commanding 134 not out, guiding Nelson to 229-7 from their 40 overs. Sebastian Howard was the standout bowler for Norden, finishing with figures of 3-37.

In response, the Stags started strongly, thanks to a 134-run opening partnership between Mason and Kirkby. Mason departed for a well-made 70, bringing Thorpe to the crease. He maintained the momentum with a blistering 46 not out from just 23 balls. Kirkby remained unbeaten on 82 from 57 deliveries as Norden chased down the target in just 31 overs, sealing a convincing win.
Scorecard : https://norden.play-cricket.com/website/results/6686879

The Stags 1^st XI were at home at a gloriously sunny Reside Stag Park on Sunday. The visitors were Lowerhouse, who are the red-hot favourites to win the JWL 1^st division title. Their all-round display and strength in depth warranted that early season optimism.

Lowerhouse batted first and Heap showed his early intent, advancing down the wicket to Masqood. An excellent piece of fielding from sub-professional Jameel Stuart led to Joseph Martin being ran out for 4, and then Chris Humphreys had Henri Cottam trapped LBW for 1. This brought professional Daniel Salpietro to the crease and the pair added 73 before Lord got Salpietro caught at point. Heap continued to look good, making 55 from 80 balls, before he snicked off to Lord, well caught low at first slip by Tahir. Walker looked dangerous, scoring 40 off just 34 balls before a bad run out that saw him and Toqir both stood at the same end. Gansler went for 5, off the very first ball of Jack Taylors spell. Toqir made a well compiled 39 and Bleazard rolled back the years with 31 not out off just 21 balls and the House finished on 254-8.

Crabtree and Jack Taylor opened up for the Stags. Taylor was caught behind for 5 and 1^st XI debutant Sam Butterworth, at just 17 years of age, came to the crease. The pair took the score to 37 before Crabtree was bowled for 21. Jamel Stuart was next in at 4, and the pair looked comfortable and added a 50 partnership before Stuart called young Butterworth through for a risky single and he was run out by Jo Martin for 22. Stuart was starting to find his feet and hit 4 sixes and 4 fours on his way to 76 runs off 80 balls before being stumped off the bowling of Salpietro. The middle order Willis (9), Dom Humphreys (4) and Kearns (6) didn’t fire but wicket keeper Devine offered some resistance with an excellent run a ball 27 not out. The stags were all out for 194 with just 2.2 overs remaining.

The Stags were well beaten by a good all round side but remained competitive throughout and plenty of positives can be taken from their battling performance.
Scorecard : https://lancashireleague.play-cricket.com/website/results/6685675
Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kSv-JkoLOE

The 2^nd XI faced the long trip to Colne. Having lost the toss we were fielding first. Colne were off to quick start as the Stags opening pair lacked control. Mo Waheed showed how valuable he is, with his 12 overs 4-42 being the pick of the bowlers. Colne managed an imposing 236 all out from 43.5 overs.

In reply we lost skipper Docker early on for just 6. Collin looked good for his 11, but when Malik (5) and Allen (26) back in the shed it looked a tall order. Gordon struck 21 and some late order striking from Modessar (24) added some runs, but Bebb was stranded on 15 not out as we were bowled out for 134
Scorecard : https://lancashireleague.play-cricket.com/website/results/6686498

The 3^rd XI kicked off their campaign on Saturday with a trip to play Todmorden. The home side batted first and made 166 from their 40 overs, mainly due to a superb 101 from Burkitt. Seb Howard was the pick of the bowlers with 8 overs 4-28.

In reply Alex Buckley fell for a duck, but Harry Mason (31), Mike Thorpe (28) and Alan Howard (28) made solid contributions up top. An excellent 28 from Will Hindley looked to be bringing the game home, but he fell LBW and it was up to Skipper Jimmy Drury (12*) and Frankish (6*) to bring home the victory. The Stags made it to 167, with nine wickets down and 2.2 overs remaining.
Scorecard : https://lancashireleague.play-cricket.com/website/results/6686876

Norden are excited to announce the signing of West Indian international Jermaine Blackwood as professional for the 2025 season. Blackwood brings with him a wealth of experience at the very highest level, having played 56 tests for the West Indies. His three hundreds include two against  England, one being against an attack including Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad in 2015. He was also named in ESPN Cricinfo’s world test team of the year in 2020.

An aggressive right-handed batter, Blackwood also bowls more than useful right-arm medium pace and is an athletic presence in the field. He also has experience of league cricket in this area, having played for Heyside in the GMCL last year. In a time where professionals with this level of international pedigree are hard to find, the club are thrilled to welcome Jermaine to Stag Park and he is sure to bring great entertainment to Lancashire League grounds throughout the season.

The club would like to place on record our thanks to Dan and Steven from Cric X in facilitating the deal.

Play Cricket bio : https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/jermaine-blackwood-431909

A night of celebration at Norden on Saturday saw Scott Butterworth and Stan Kearns rewarded for fine individual seasons with 3 trophies each at the club’s annual presentation evening. Scott picked up the 1^st XI bowling award, the Hanmer Cup for best individual performance vs Rochdale and the players’ player of the year award, whilst Stan took home the under 18’s batting prize, the Derek Parker Trophy for most improved player and the Harold Sibbert Trophy for the best junior player in senior cricket. Greg Butterworth was the winner of the prestigious Asif Mujtaba Medal for the club’s player of the season and there was special mention of the outstanding Norden careers of he and Josh Tolley as they move on to pastures new in 2025. The night concluded on an emotional, yet entirely fitting note as club president, Nigel Butterworth, announced Sheila Worsley as the posthumous winner of the Joseph Coupe Cup for club person of the year. The club stood and applauded as one as Nigel presented the cup to Sheila’s daughters, Penny and Gemma.

Trophy Winners

1st XI Batting: Josh Tolley
1st XI Bowling: Scott Butterworth
2nd XI Batting: Danny Devine
2nd XI Bowling: Mo Waheed
3rd XI Batting: Abu Farooq
3rd XI Bowling: Sebastian Howard
Women’s Batting: Sarah Geenhalgh
Women’s Bowling: Maxine Smith
Women’s Fielding: Claire Wood
U18s Batting: Stan Kearns
U18s Bowling: Will Hindley
U18s Fielding: Tom Wild
Harold Sibbert Trophy (best junior in senior cricket): Stan Kearns
Bob Tattersall Trophy (best junior fielder in senior cricket): Theo Andrew
Geoff & Marion Hargreaves Award (players’ player of the year): Scott Butterworth
Hanmer Cup (best individual performance vs Rochdale): Scott Butterworth 6/52 and 34* at   Redbrook
Dick Bonser Trophy (u15s player with representative honours): Oliver Yates
Harry Schofield Trophy (u18s player with representative honours): Oliver Yates
Derek Parker Trophy (most improved player): Stan Kearns
Majorca Batting Trophy (best senior batting performance) :Alex Willis 80* vs Littleborough
Majorca Bowling Trophy (best senior bowling performance): Modessar Hussain 5 for 12 vs   Clitheroe
Asif Mujtaba Medal (player of the season): Greg Butterworth
Les Barlow Award (junior club person of the year): Theo Andrew
Joseph Coupe Cup (club person of the year): Sheila Worsley

Norden are delighted to announce the appointment of Lee Crabtree as 1st XI captain for the 2025 season. Lee steps up from vice-captain and will lead a team that will see some new faces as The Stags look to push for a first Lancashire League trophy. Dom Humphries will be the new vice-captain. Lee has said ‘I am delighted to have been made captain for 2025. I think we can push for a trophy, particularly in the cup competitions.’

Greg Butterworth and Josh Tolley have moved on to pastures new, and Scott Butterworth will be scaling back his playing commitments to focus on his young family. Greg has taken up the opportunity to become the professional at Heywood in the GMCL and Josh will be playing for Euxton in the Palace Shield. Both played key roles in the 2019 LCF Knockout win and there is no doubt that they are two of the best amateur cricketers to have played for the club. They both leave with the club’s thanks and best wishes.

Josh joined Norden in 2017 with a reputation as one of the region’s best amateur batters. He leaves with that reputation well and truly intact as he amassed over 7,500 runs in his 7 full seasons at Stag Park. Of his 13 centuries, his 177 in the tied game at home to Walsden perhaps stands out as he almost single-handedly got Norden up to a chase of 293.

Greg has captained the side for the last two years, and led the team to two cup semi-finals. His all-round ability saw him score just under 3,000 runs and take 350 wickets in his 8 years in a Norden shirt, as well as taking an impressive 85 catches.

News of a new professional is imminent and it promises to be an exciting new dawn at Stag Park in 2025.

All players are reminded that winter nets start at PA Cricket in Bury on the 22nd of February.

A final-day washout at Lowerhouse meant Norden finished 5^th in Lancashire League Division 1 for the second successive year. In all honesty, the top 3 teams in the division, champions Burnley along with Darwen and Lowerhouse, have looked much the strongest teams throughout the season and 5^th can be seen as a creditable, if ultimately slightly disappointing finish. The highlight of the season was undoubtedly the run to the semi-finals of the LCK knockout, with good wins against Vertex, Edgworth and Blackpool along the way. Unfortunately, reaching the showpiece final proved a step too far as a powerful Ormskirk side gained revenge for their defeat at Norden’s hands in the same competition in 2023.

The Worsley Cup and t20 competitions proved disappointing. Greenmount chased down 239 to knock Norden out at the first-round stage of the Worsley Cup, after the Stags had reached the semi-final in all of the previous 3 years, and the t20 group campaign never recovered after being dismissed for just 35 in the first game against the same opponents.

Whilst last year Norden had success against the teams at the top of the league and struggled against those at the bottom, this year was the opposite. Only one game was won against the 4 teams that finished higher, and only two were lost against teams that finished lower.

There were individual highlights, with new professional Mitchell Owen smashing 3 centuries on his way to 891 runs in all competitions. Josh Tolley again led the way for the amateur batters, with 862, and there were 364 for Lee Crabtree, 297 for Jack Taylor and 293 for Alex Willis. Crabtree was also rewarded for an excellent season with the gloves by topping the Division 1 dismissals list with 26.

The brothers Butterworth both shone with the ball. Scott just pipped Greg in the wickets stakes, with 53 to 52, but both were outstanding all year. Greg led all amateurs in the league with four 5-wicket hauls. The bowling attack also had real depth to it, with Owen contributing 23 wickets, Dean Lord 22, Dominic Humphreys 18 and Jack Taylor 15.

Plenty to build on for next year, and hopefully a push for trophies on multiple fronts.

The 2^nd XI faced a challenging season. Inconsistent availability was the biggest obstacle for a side with huge amounts of talent and potential. 34 players were used at this level over the course of the season, by far the most in the top division, and that tells the story of why it was a battle towards the bottom of the league, rather than the top. Relegation was avoided with a good run towards the end of the season, but this team should be aiming for much more next year. The Junior Cup again provided a good run, but it felt like an opportunity lost when Littleborough came out on top in the quarter-final at Stag Park.

Danny Devine and Hashum Malik were the standout contributors with the bat, both making just over 400 runs. Haris Hussain and Oliver Yates both topped 200 and Jamie Taylor hit 165 in only 6 innings at an average of 55.

Father and son Waheed were the leading wicket-takers, with Mo continuing to defy the laws of ageing in picking up 29 wickets and getting through 183 overs. Sami had 21 victims, despite playing fewer than half the games. Yates added 20 wickets to his runs and Modessar Hussain, who joined the club part way through the season, provided two decisive 5-wicket spells to help win two crucial matches.

As well as those already mentioned, there is so much to look forward to from other young players who have contributed to the 2^nd team this year. Stan Kearns has already gone on to make an impact at 1^st team level, Jake Hill has impressed with his leg-spin and Oli Kirkby will hope for an injury-free 2025 after a frustrating year. Abu Farooq showed enough with bat and ball to convince all that saw him that he will be a 1^st teamer in the very near future and Callum Hill, Theo Andrew and Harry Mason have also taken opportunities when given to them.

The 3rds did manage to play their final game at the weekend and they finished with a good win against Rishton to end an excellent campaign. A 4^th or 5^th place finish in Division 2, depending on a couple of games still to be played, represents a fine effort for a team that lost 4 or 5 big contributors from last year. Charlie Gooding took 4 for 16 on Saturday as Rishton were bowled out in the final over for 179. Stan Kearns and Jozef Gordon looked like they might knock the runs off without loss, but Gordon fell for 23. Kearns was in destructive mood, though, and he smashed 76 off 52 balls with 6 sixes. Michael Thorpe provided more than adequate support with 37 and Norden wrapped up the 12 points with nearly half of their overs remaining.

Abu Farooq topped the 200 run mark for the season, with Kearns, Gordon and Asif Saeed all making over 100.

Gooding was again the leading wicket-taker with 19, closely followed by Sebastian Howard who took 16 at an average of just 8.63 in his first season of senior cricket. Will Hindley and Mohammed Omar also chipped in with 14 and 12 respectively.
3^rd XI Scorecard: https://norden.play-cricket.com/website/results/6110044
3^rd XI Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzaup9VSnmE&feature=youtu.be