Professional Jacques Snyman’s good form with both bat and ball continued as he helped the first eleven to a narrow three-wicket win at home to Bacup on Sunday. However, the rest of the senior setup struggled, with the second and third elevens succumbing to losses writes SAM CHADWICK.
The first team’s encounter was a low-scoring affair on a scorching June afternoon at the Log Cabin. Having chosen to field on a bowler-friendly pitch, Travis Townsend’s side quickly got to work, limiting Bacup to 125 all out.
Only four bowlers were needed for the Mount, with all of them picking up wickets. Callum Hunter impressed, taking 4 for 39 in his 15 overs, while Snyman took 3 for 12 with his economical off-spin. Townsend and Amal Dalugoda picked up the rest, taking 2 for 28 and 1 for 33, respectively.
But for a battling innings from Bacup’s Mohsin Iqbal (31 from 69 balls) and Luke Bradford (21 from 80 balls), things could have been worse for the away side, having been reduced to 59 for 6 at one stage.
Snyman’s typically brutal 46 from just 25 balls at the top of the order got Greenmount off to a flier, but they struggled at points chasing the modest target. Townsend’s score of 31 from 41 proved important, before Hunter and Sam Greenhalgh saw the side over the line in the 24th over.
Elsewhere, in the reverse fixture, the second eleven failed in their chase of 205, losing by 33 runs. Bacup chose to bat on their home ground, and a series of useful scores from across their batting order saw them to 205 all out in 42 overs, without anyone passing 50. Alex Shepherd’s 39 from just 20 balls was particularly harmful, given he came in at number nine with his team at 161 for 7.
On the brighter side, Gareth Williams’ return to the Greenmount side was a welcome one, as he took 4 for 47, while skipper Oliver Dixon took 3 for 31.
Toby Leach top-scored in the second innings with 36 from 57 balls, and Rupert Hallows hit 31 from 71, but they always seemed to be behind the eight-ball, finishing up on 172 for 9.
On Saturday, the third team’s result should perhaps be put down as a learning experience for their youthful side. Playing host to Norden, they were bowled out for just 43, having been put into bat in a bitterly disappointing display.
The one shining light was a strong tenth-wicket partnership between Dexter Crowther and George Kenyon, who stood firm for 14 overs to at least frustrate the opposition before the latter was removed in the 34th over. Norden completed the chase in the ninth over with nine wickets to spare thanks to Jozef Gordon’s 26 not out from 25 balls. Pacer Ben Clarke took their only wicket to fall.
Results mean the first team stay second, ten points behind leaders Walsden. The second eleven are now eighth in their division, having been leapfrogged by Bacup. The third team stay second despite their disappointing day out.