Now that the summer has arrived with much warmer weather we are looking forward to welcoming the Shaun Brown Cricket Academy Team from Australia on Thursday, 8th June.
Following the day’s action of two T20 matches we are delighted to have ex-Australian test star Merv Hughes spend some time with us to share his recollections of a sparkling career in our beloved game.
Merv was of course a colourful character on the field and we understand that his talks are lively, entertaining and inevitably humorous.
There will also be an auction for the chance to win some fabulous exclusive prizes. Tickets are selling quickly so we would recommend fast response to ensure you have a seat.
All the ingredients were there for a top evening – warm sunshine, strong vocal presence on the balcony, Greenmount Grill, good crowd and oops no music or PA due to a technical hitch!
And so it proved to be with a sparkling performance from Greenmount as they swept aside Division One opposition in the first Friday T20 of the summer.
Evan Williams
Batting first on a beautiful looking pitch, the Mount attacked from the first ball but lost early wickets in Tom Heaton and pro Jacques Snyman.
However, Evan Williams then proceeded to play arguably the best knock seen on this ground for some years and certainly his best individual performance in first team cricket.
Dominating from the start Evan smashed boundaries at will, with a stunning eight sixes and eleven fours, all-comers being dispatched to all corners of the ground with a blend of power and disdain.
Ev was ably supported by skipper Travis Townsend who played his best knock of the season too as the pair dismantled the Todmorden attack.
Travis Townsend
Travis struck 65 from just 30 balls with five sixes, Evans 121 from 56 balls, both achieving the same strike rate of 216!
The fun and momentum was maintained by cameos from Andy Kerr with 23 from only 11 balls and an unbeaten 16 from Dan Stevens from eight balls to wrap the innings up at a monumental 268-6.
More than we scored in 50 overs against East Lancs!
Jacques Snyman
The Todmorden reply needed to be aggressive and despite valiant efforts from Will Bosisto and Harry Rickard, it was always going to be an uphill task.
Professional Jacques Snyman turned in a five-wicket haul with 5-20 and there were three excellent catches from Sammy Greenhalgh, two of which were truly outstanding and spectacular.
There was time for Max Birtwistle to bag his first senior wicket while there were two wickets for Matt Senior, one for Jack Thomond and one for Evan.
A fantastic team performance highlighted by an outstanding individual performance from Evan but great to see the Mount rocking again on a Friday night. Thanks to everyone who came along to offer loud support, the team really appreciate the positive support and energy from the crowd.
Tomorrow (Sunday) it’s Great Harwood at home – great weather, bank holiday weekend, let’s see you all out in force again. Bring it on!
Greenmount’s junior cup run came to an end in defeat for the Under-15s last night (Thursday) against an excellent, well-organised Clitheroe team.
In a low-scoring tense match befitting a final, we competed evenly throughout the contest but were just short in a few key duels which tipped the balance to the very worthy opponents.
Batting first, the Mount lads lost the recently prolific Ed Dickinson but an absorbing partnership between Max Birtwistle and Rupert Hallows steadied the ship and changed momentum.
Max Birtwistle
It was a shame when Rupert was caught for a fine 33 and not long afterwards Max retired for an excellent 50 with two fine sixes and four fours.
Unfortunately the last four overs of the innings stuttered and just never regathered any impetus, leaving a feeling that we may have been 10-15 runs short.
Indeed the Clitheroe fielding was excellent throughout and saved many additional runs with a combination of good placement and athletic saves.
The Greenmount bowling in the first ten overs had the scores tracking almost spot on like-for-like but gradually the Clitheroe batting – led by the excellent Coby Campbell – asserted its authority and pressure.
We didn’t field with the same consistent disciplines as our opponents and therefore crucial runs were leaked which of course is fatal in low scoring situations.
And so Clitheroe were worthy winners and we wish them every fortune and success for the broader knock out tournament – they brought a great support and played in an excellent spirit, credit to their club.
For Greenmount, it’s a few years now since there’s been a junior game night with such passion and competitiveness, and it’s a welcome return to those days!
With such a young team we’d expect to see more of these over the coming years but the key next step is to take on the learnings and move forward with positivity and fight to top the league rankings in the Under-13s and Under-15s.
Thanks to all the supporters who turned out tonight especially the senior players, and of course to all the coaches and managers who work with these lads daily and weekly – let’s keep up the positive momentum.
T20 next at the Log Cabin when Todmorden are the visitors tonight (Friday).
Following the announcement of two T20 matches on 8th June against the Shaun Brown Cricket Coaching Academy touring team led by the legendary Merv Hughes, we are pleased to provide an update on a special evening event following the cricket.
Tickets are strictly limited so please order by reply to this email: helen@peterbowker.plus.com once your seat is confirmed we will let you know how and when to pay and collect from the bar. Payment will be cash only please.
There will be further details to follow in the coming days on some exciting exclusive auction prizes to whet your appetite for what should be a great day of cricket.
Sunshine, no covers, no DLS, no rain – summer finally arrived this weekend and with good crowds and four teams turning out for the Mount it turned into a weekend of mixed fortune laced once again with frustration despite the great weather!
Firstly, Saturday’s third team match against Walsden proved to be a one-sided contest with Greenmount dismissing the opposition for just 65 and it was very positive to see an excellent all round display in the field from a young team.
Callum Hunter
Reading the recent reports from Ramsbottom’s Mick Everett about a vanishing generation of people wanting to play cricket, I can certainly substantiate that feeling but it is at least offering more experience opportunities to our Under-18 group.
Pick of the bowlers was Ed Dickinson with 3-15, while Ewan Malone also picked up two wickets. The response was brief and entertaining including some of the antics from Walsden’s opening bowler who continually beseeched Wes Young to ‘scoop it’ – Wes’s response was a dazzling array of edges and scorchers to reach an unbeaten 39 as the Walsden total was swiftly overhauled.
On to sizzling Sunday and a return encounter for the first team with Church to whom we had lost in rain affected circumstances in the cup.
Batting first was another disappointing show where our batting line up all managed to get in – and then out – without kicking on and the regular loss of wickets produced a stuttering innings.
Travis Townsend
Fortunately Callum Hunter with 38 not out, supported by Matthew Senior, ensured that some form of respectability was reached. Earlier Evan Williams (26), Travis Townsend (31), Jacques Snyman and Dan Stevens with 18 apiece all looked set to score heavily but sub pro Neil Hornbuckle had other ideas bagging 5-46.
Similar to last week, the Greenmount bowling worked hard to defend a total that was lighter than we would want or expect and although they were in the contest, a fine knock of 68 from Hornbuckle ensured back to back losses for Travis’s men.
It is still very much early season and only three league matches out of six have actually been played, but recent performances demonstrate that we need to play better and more savvy cricket to make an impact on the top slots. There is no doubting the ability in the group, we move on to the next match with focus on where we need to improve.
Meantime, the second team narrowly lost a thrilling home encounter also against Church.
Batting first there were fine half centuries for Jake Chadwick, (54) and Nigel Franklin (55) before an excellent show from our indoor cricket representative trio Ed Dickinson, Eduardo Wackrill and Rupert Hallows.
Wackrill continued to show his promise with the bat with an entertaining unbeaten 35 from just 20 balls and two sixes. It looked as if Church were cruising but 13-year-old spinner Noah Birtwistle bowled Smith for a run a ball 91 before a collapse led to Church needing 20 from the last three overs with just two wickets left.
Tom Clarke
They made it thanks to some good experienced lower order play but the young lads should be proud of their efforts in pushing an older more experienced team all the way. Captain Ollie Dixon took 2-38 and there were also two wickets apiece for Adam Clarke and Noah Birtwistle.
Finally the fourth team had a development match with Haslingden which proved to be a very entertaining encounter.
Despite reaching 116-0, Haslingden were hauled back to 162-5 with Ewan Malone once again delivering with the ball, his 3-21 was the pick of the attack. Also there were notable performances from Ben Clarke and George Kenyon who bowled tightly for no reward.
The Greenmount reply was headlined by a well paced and very mature knock from 15-year-old Tom Clarke who carried his bat through to the end with an unbeaten 70.
He was well supported by brother Ben who compiled a sensible 20 before being run out with an excellent direct hit. Jay Ahmed hit an entertaining 28 before being brilliantly caught at cover and Ewan Malone provided good support with 12 before Mitch Franklin came in to help Tom see it through with three overs to spare to make it successive wins for skipper Dave Mason..
So a weekend of mixed fortunes – some excellent performances from our young players but we need the first team to kick start their season.
Lots to play for this week – Under 15 Junior Cup Final at home on Thursday v Clitheroe, Friday Night T20 against Todmorden, on Sunday the first team are at home to Great Harwood and on Monday the Lancashire Junior Inter league under 11s are hosted at the Mount against the NWCL inter league team. Get down and support your local teams!
To celebrate the forthcoming Ashes test matches Greenmount CC are hosting two T20 matches between the club and a touring Australian team from the Shaun Brown Cricket Coaching Academy coached by the famous ex test star Merv Hughes.
We are delighted that Merv has agreed to spend an hour at the club following the day’s cricket to share anecdotes from his illustrious career.
There will also be an auction for a number of exciting and unique prizes. Admission to this part of the day will be by ticket only and we will be communicating how to get tickets on a first come first served basis on Monday. So watch this space and be quick on the draw so as not to miss out!
Greenmount Under-13s crashed out of the Lancashire Junior League cup semi-final at Rochdale on Friday evening, putting paid to their unbeaten start to the season in rather ignominious fashion.
Batting first against two good county age group spinners, the Mount were undone for a paltry 68 of which only Ben Clarke with 30 applied himself to the task.
In truth the batting display was woeful and a long way from the earlier part of the week when the same team hit 200 and 181. Haroon Kashmiri bowled superbly for Rochdale and richly deserved the scalps of three of his county colleagues.
The Greenmount bowling display was equally poor and the game finished with Tom Gilbertson and the excellent Kashmiri knocking off the runs against a series of poor balls for no loss.
It was a very disappointing end to an exciting cup campaign but it must be said Rochdale, who have a very good team, thoroughly deserved to win and demonstrated all the necessary qualities to compete. It’s to be hoped that plenty of valuable lessons were learned individually and collectively.
However, some of these lads get immediate opportunity to bounce back as our Under-15 team will play in the final of their Age Group cup next Thursday, 25th May at home against Clitheroe.
Make it an early start to the weekend and come along to cheer the team on !
With the first team also at home next Friday 26th for the start of the T20 tournament it promises to be an exciting week of cricket at the Mount!
Greenmount Under-15s stormed into the final of the Lancashire League Junior Cup last night (Tuesday) with an emphatic win at Lowerhouse.
The lads will meet either Clitheroe or Longridge next week, date and venue to be finalised.
Batting first they had to overcome a tough start losing Max Birtwistle and Rupert Hallows cheaply, however Ed Dickinson continued his recent run of form with an excellent unbeaten fifty which was the cornerstone of the innings.
Ed Wackrill demonstrated his batting capability once again with a useful 20 and the innings was finished off with a breezy 14 not out from Noah Birtwistle.
Ed Dickinson
In truth, Lowerhouse were blown away at the start of their reply by excellent quick bowling from Max and Ed, from which they never recovered.
Once again the wily leg spin of Ewan Malone and accurate off-spin of Ed Dickinson and Noah kept things tight in the middle overs, Ewan finishing with 2-10 from his three overs.
Meanwhile the under 13s face a challenging semi final away at Rochdale this Friday having marched through the quarter final against Great Harwood on Monday.
The Mount lads played an aggressive and entertaining brand of cricket smashing their way to an uninhibited 200 from their 20 overs, Rupert Hallows setting the tone and matched by captain Noah Birtwistle, Ben Clarke and Ed Wackrill, all retiring on 30 made in entertaining and swashbuckling fashion.
The Great Harwood reply offered some resistance but the game was won by 101 runs with some good bowling from the Greenmount younger lads James Herbert and Jake Riley who looked very comfortable playing in a higher age group.
For those of you who want to see more of the junior journey why not have a peek at our Instagram page HERE where you will see snippets of action from the lads.
Thanks to Nigel Hallows for creating a fantastic record of memories so far this season, it has been a welcome change from the gloomy rain affected weekends!
The weekend began on sunny Saturday where you would have been forgiven for thinking summer had arrived – but by Sunday evening the shorts had been swapped for jeans and the first team match ended in gloomy and wet conditions – normal service resumed.
Saturday saw a welcome return to cricket at the Mount when a Fourth Development team took on a similar outfit from Todmorden.
Led by Greenmount legend Dave Mason, the development team is all about offering senior experience to young players, interspersed with a few `wise` heads to offer a guiding hand.
The result was secondary – although we did actually win. Nevertheless, the match was played in excellent spirit and saw some fine individual performances from both sets of young players.
Dave Mason graced us with an elegant 32 before graciously retiring to allow the younger lads centre stage – this was well received by Sam Woolley who plundered a superb unbeaten 77 in response before going on to take 3-10 in a man-of-the-match performance.
Bowling was equally good with a particularly good spell from 12-year-old George Kenyon on senior debut whilst Ben Clarke impressed once again alongside a much improved Dexter Crowther. A good time was genuinely had by a decent crowd.
Evan Williams
Earlier, Tom Clarke was unlucky to miss out on a first senior 50, caught for 46 whilst Ed Wackrill bothered the sheep a couple of times on his way to an unbeaten 30.
On to Sunday, and the first team hosted high-flying East Lancashire who are showing strong early season form.
Batting first, Tom Heaton and Evan Williams made a confident and solid start before Tom was caught at the third attempt from a skier.
This brought Andy Kerr to the wicket and he soon hit his stride with some sumptuous strokes for four to bring up his first half century of the season.
Evan also reached his 50 and at 123-1 and a partnership of 90 it was once again a surprise to lose Andy LBW just as he was in full swing.
At this point the crowd may have anticipated a firework show from Jacques Snyman but much to everyone`s disappointment – aside from a jubilant East Lancs team – he attempted to launch the ball into space and after a lengthy descent thit was caught by the keeper.
Travis Townsend grittily attempted to bring the momentum back alongside Evan however East Lancs bowled tightly and with discipline, taking wickets at vital moments with Evan falling for 69 (10 fours and two sixes) and Travis for 32 (4 fours and a six).
Andy Kerr
With 10 overs to go the score was feeling behind where we had expected. Dan Stevens came in and demonstrated intent with a trademark six over extra cover but it was left to Ryan Senior once again to bring the innings home with some positive momentum, blazing an unbeaten 33 from 20 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes to close the innings on 239-6.
Ryan has still not been dismissed this season.
East Lancs started their reply with intent , Callum Hunter had the first wicket well held at slip by Snyman before frustratingly rain arrived, shorts were discarded for anything dry and warm and we played the hokey cokey with the covers while the rain couldn`t quite decide whether to stop or keep going!
DLS is beyond everyone`s understanding but an adjusted target was set for East Lancs from 17 overs and they set about it in a very methodical and calm manner with Joe Bolton (51), professional Zahid Mansoor (32) and Niall Boyle unbeaten on 60 doing the hard yards.
Matthew Senior bowled encouragingly well on return from injury with 1-23 whilst Evan Williams picked up 1-40 with an excellent catch from Travis in the murky outfield.
The game went to the last over and was keenly fought yet we only achieved a single bonus point for a close game – another anomaly in the weird experience that is DLS. Oh for a weekend with no rain or messing about with covers and sheets!
Meanwhile the other gripe of the season to date is getting reliable updates from Play Cricket – this was certainly the case as Oliver Dixon`s second team won by 13 runs in a close game away at East Lancs.
Batting first Greenmount made 17, the highlights being a fine 41 from Nige Franklin and a well compiled knock of what appears to be anything from 32 to 38 from young Rupert Hallows, although updates of the match vary!
We definitely bowled them out for 160 and there were wickets for Richard Catterall , (how good to see him running in once again after injury), Ollie Dixon and Ryan Edge.
This was a timely boost to morale for the seconds and it was great to see some solid senior player performances to assist the younger players. Let’s hope we can now build some positive momentum and harness the returning experience with some of the great performances from our younger players going forward.
And whisper it – the forecast for the weekend ahead looks good!
