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