When Todmorden were well set on 104 for 2 at just over the half-way mark in their innings at Stag Park on Sunday it was looking like it could be a tough afternoon for Norden. What followed, though, was 50 overs of superb cricket with ball and then bat that produced a second successive maximum point victory.
Andrew Sutcliffe and then Noah Priestley and professional Will Bosisto had set the platform for Tod but Norden’s ever-consistent spin pairing of Ashar Zaidi and Greg Butterworth were able to peg things back with Zaidi claiming the wickets of Sutcliffe and Priestley and then Butterworth picking up the key scalp when Bosisto couldn’t quite clear the other Butterworth at long-on. It was a shot out of keeping with the rest of the Tod paid man’s innings, as he had looked in complete control without taking any chances up until that point. Perhaps the reason for the extra aggression became clear soon after when the Todmorden lower-order collapsed without much of a fight. There were 4 wickets each for the spinners and also a first wicket of the season for Dean Lord in a good spell late-on.
The target of 145 was a modest one and a quick cameo from Hashum Malik had it within reach in short time. His 31 came from just 20 balls and Josh Tolley was looking in fine touch at the other end. Tolleyt had made 38 when he chipped a return catch to Bosisto but that brought Zaidi to the crease and he was in no mood to drag things out. His was an ultra-aggressive knock including four sixes in one over from Bosisto, and was very different from most we have seen since he has been at Norden. He carried the Stags over the line with over half of their overs to spare and ended with 56* from 40 balls. It was fitting that he and Butterworth were together when the match was won as Butterworth hit a straight six of his own to bring an end to proceedings.
Two busy weeks of league and cup action are coming up and Norden will feel confident going into those games.
1st XI Scorecard: https://norden.play-cricket.com/website/results/5000217
1st XI Highlights: 1st XI vs Todmorden Highlights 15/5/22
The 2nds fell to a frustrating loss at Enfield. There were 5 wickets for Oli Holt as the hosts posted 190 for 9 from their 45 overs. Tom Booth’s men looked to be cruising home at 106 for 1 but despite half centuries from Spencer Allen and Kabir Ahmed, the middle order failed to fire and Enfield were able to up the pressure and take the win by 17 runs.
2nd XI Scorecard : https://norden.play-cricket.com/website/results/5000341
It was back to winning ways for Jimmy Drury’s 3rd XI as they registered a comfortable 7 wicket win at home to Rawtenstall on Saturday. The wickets were shared around as Rawtenstall were bowled out for just 98 batting first. Saad Malik finished with the impressive figures of 3 for 1 and Matthew Findlow impressed on his first appearance of the season. Malik also chipped in with 15* with the bat but it was Oli Kirkby who was the star of that particular show as he batted through the innings to finish on 47* as the Stags took all 12 points.
3rd XI Scorecard : https://norden.play-cricket.com/website/results/5000068