It certainly wasn’t cricket weather and it probably wasn’t what the Stag Park faithful thought they would be watching early on Sunday evening but the sight of Josh Tolley, in a cap, bowling two perfectly pitched and deadly straight deliveries to hit the stumps brought cheers from those watching at the ground and online and helped send Norden through to the 2nd round of the LCBKO trophy. From 2-0 down in the bowl out, Tolley tied the scores with his two hits and Greg Butterworth finished the job after the match against Northern Premier League side Blackpool had to be abandoned half-way through.
Tolley had also shone during the one innings that was played before the rain arrived. His 87 anchored the Norden innings and a century stand with pro Zaidi, who made 49, meant the home side were able to reach 203 for 5 from their 45 overs on a pitch that was difficult to bat on. Lessons had been learnt from the previous week’s showing and this was an intelligent batting display leading to a total that looked to have put Norden in a good position at half-way. Unfortunately, the weather had looked like it would be a problem from the outset and that turned out to be the case. With no hope of a resumption, a bowl out was agreed upon before it became too wet even for that and it did not look good for Norden after Dom Humphreys, Zaidi and Sami Waheed had all failed to hit the stumps. Tolley, though, had not finished his good work for the day and the holders will now host Denton St. Lawrence in round two.
1st XI LCF knockout scorecard : https://norden.play-cricket.com/website/results/4586887
1st XI LCF Knockout highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzN1bee5DtE
The weekend started with two good wins for the 1st and 2nd XIs against Colne in the league on Saturday. The 1sts made the away trip and bowled the home side out for 89 despite them reaching 50 without loss. Zaidi started the collapse and he was joined in the wickets by Butterworth, Humphreys and 1st XI debutant, Usama Malik. Humphreys bowled 15 overs unchanged and picked up 2 for 28, including substitute professional Richard Levi, and the left arm spin duo combined for 7 wickets before Malik completed the job. Tolley with 34* and Zaidi with 30 made sure the chase was never in doubt and the 7 wicket win was wrapped up inside 22 overs.
1st XI League scorecard : https://norden.play-cricket.com/website/results/4549830
The 2nds were asked to bat first at Stag Park and were up against some excellent new ball bowling from Matt Clark. Openers Devine and Anwar were prepared to graft, though, and the middle order were able to benefit from their patience against some much weaker change bowling. Dean Lord was at his belligerent best on his way to 69 in 53 balls including 5 sixes and Spencer Allen continued his excellent form with his second consecutive unbeaten half century. The icing on the cake was provided by Chris Hartley who was promoted to number 6 and bludgeoned his way to a first senior 50 from 40 balls. The 228 for 4 posted looked formidable and so it proved with Mo Munawar and Steve Colmer both providing early breakthroughs and Munawar continuing to rip through the Colne batting lineup on his way to 6 for 17. The 178 run victory bodes well for the 2nd round Junior Cup tie against the same opposition next week.
2nd XI League scorecard : https://norden.play-cricket.com/website/results/4550304
2nd XI League highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPHbb_5ErdE