Firsts beat rain and Accy to close the gap

Against all odds the first eleven picked up a terrific victory at the Log Cabin on Sunday when the weekend’s rain seemed certain to put paid to any action.

Groundsman Andy Skinner and his team deserve great credit for getting the game on and it was encouraging to see the drainage system installed at the end of last season pay dividends and deliver what could be an important result.

Chesney Hughes – matchwinning knock

Greenmount won the toss, put Accrington in and the visitors posted 153 for five in what was to be a 24 over clash.

Leading the way with the bat for Accy was Tom Walker who finished unbeaten on 43 and skipper Graeme Sneddon who hit four sixes in his 43 before being caught by Tom Heaton off the bowling of Callum Hunter.

Pursuing a revised total of 135 from 20 overs the Greenmount reply got off to a shaky start when Jack Harrison was dismissed without scoring.

But professional Chesney Hughes and Andy Kerr steadied the ship, putting on 76 for the second wicket.

Hughes went on to continue his great season with the bat hitting an unbeaten 84 from 53 balls including six sixes and four fours in a matchwinning knock that saw the Mount home with 17 balls remaining.

The seven wicket victory moved the villagers up to fourth place in the table and closed the gap on the top three, Haslingden, Church and Littleborough.

The only other game in the Lancashire League Division Two saw Bacup pick up a ten wicket victory at Enfield.

Greenmount’s second eleven game at Accrington was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

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