Both Greenmount’s first and second elevens took full advantage of another sun-kissed Sunday as they enjoyed maximum points victories thanks to some superb individual performances with bat and ball.
Sunday, 18th May – First team v Rawtenstall at home. Won by 266 runs. 12 points
The first team entertained Rawtenstall at the Log Cabin and Travis Townsend elected to bat after winning the toss – it proved to be the start of a fruitful day for the Mount skipper.
The villagers ran up a tremendous total of 380 for 4 from their 50 overs thanks to superb knocks from Andy Kerr (131 not out); 129 from Travis and another good contribution from professional Jacques Snyman who hit 74 before being unluckily adjudged leg before.
During the onslaught, Andy hit fifteen fours in his total while Travis plundered four sixes and 17 fours and Jacques one six and twelve fours.
Cameron Mapstone again chipped in with an unbeaten knock of 15 at the end of the innings.
In reply, Rawtenstall made a somewhat steady start with professional Anuk Fernando (47) looking to get to grips with the Greenmount attack but a timely catch by Travis off the bowling of Noah Birtwistle sent him packing with the score on 91.
From then on it was pretty much the Birtwistle show with the 15-year-old spinner helping himself to a fabulous six wicket haul for 33 runs from seven overs. Jacques took two wickets with Ishy Patel the other one as the Valley side were dismissed for 114 all out.
Sunday, 18th May – Second team v Rawtenstall II away. Won by 9 wickets. 12 points.
Not to be outdone, the seconds also put paid to their counterparts from Rawtenstall at The Rossendale Driveways and Patios Worswick Memorial Ground.
The win was a triumph for skipper Oli Dixon who, buoyed by his two first team wickets last week and having lost the toss and given the job of fielding, ripped through the unfortunate Rawtenstall batting line-up to finish with superb figures of 7 for 50 from 11 overs.
Rion Dalugoda picked up the other three victims as the home side were all back in the shed for 116 all out in 22.5 overs.
That total was always going to be easy meat for the Mount, especially with Ed Dickinson in such good form. The young opener put in another fine display finishing unbeaten on 64 and with Max Birtwistle (29 not out) they saw the villagers home for the loss of one wicket.
A great weekend all round and what should be a real confidence-booster ahead of next weekend’s league and knockout double-header.
