It was up to Mark Crowther’s third team to fly the flag for Greenmount this Bank Holiday weekend as both the first and second teams tasted defeat while the thirds put in a great performance to grab maximum points at Middleton.
Sunday, 4th May – First team v Enfield at home. Lost by 7 wickets. 0 points.
Skipper Travis Townsend won the toss and elected to bat on a bright yet chilly afternoon.
Once again, professional Jacques Snyman showed the way with a top score of 50 (seven fours and a six) but the Mount total of 231 – which looked unlikely earlier in the innings – proved insufficient on the day.
A middle-order partnership of 48 between Gav Nicholl (42) and Cameron Mapstone (34) gave the home side something of a lift after a promising start was curtailed with four wickets down before hitting the 100 mark.
Also into double figures during the Mount innings were Travis Townsend (26), Andy Kerr (22) and Tom Heaton (16).
Newly-relegated Enfield showed that they may be a force to reckon with this summer by cruising to victory.
Their skipper Adam Bracewell took the plaudits hitting a fine unbeaten 77 in a fourth wicket partnership with pro Pramod Maduwantha (46 not out) with opener Lewis Wright also helping himself to 72.
The result puts Greenmount into fifth place in the table with a trip to Accrington on the cards next Sunday.
Sunday, 4th May – Second team v Enfield away. Lost by 31 runs. 2 points.
At Dill Hall Lane Greenmount won the toss and captain Oli Dixon chose to field.
The home side ran up 188 for 8 from their 45 overs with Max Birtwistle’s 3 for 51 the best of the bowling figures. Rian Dalugoda chipped in with two wickets with Ed Dickinson and Oli Dixon picking up one each.
In the reply, Ed Dickinson continued his superb start to the season with 71 (one six and 13 fours) but it wasn’t to be enough for the Villagers.
Early wickets fell regularly around Dickinson until he became the seventh wicket with the score on 136. Only another 21 runs were added to the Mount total as they slumped to 157 all out in the 35th over.
Monday, 5th May – Third team v Middleton away. Won by 125 runs. 12 points.
The highlight of the weekend was the third team’s victory at Middleton on Monday where skipper Mark Crowther’s ‘young guns’ displayed all their immense promise.
Crowther won the toss and elected to bat and saw his charges score 176 for 9 from their 40 overs.
Noah Birtwistle top-scored with 43 but a splendid ninth-wicket partnership of 34 between Ed Wackrill and Adam Clarke boosted the total. Toby Leach (13) and Crowther himself (15) also hit double figures.
Replying, the home side were blown away by the Mount bowling attack as they were skittled to 51 all out.
Wickets fell on a regular basis with Rion Dalugoda (4 for 4 from 3 overs) and Adam Clarke (4 for 6 from 5 overs) proving the difference.
Ed Wackrill picked up the other two wickets in a terrific display from the youngsters.