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