Greenmount’s first eleven went down to yet another heavy defeat on Sunday when they travelled to Haslingden in Lancashire League Division One.
The stark realisation of just what a competitive step up it is from the second division was again there for all to see as the Bentgate side – who came up with the Mount as champions – triumphed by a crushing 160 runs.
The home side won the toss and elected to bat – a decision that paid rich dividends as they put on a total of 297 for 4 from their 50 overs.
The lion’s share of that total went to professional Sehan Weerasinghe who was unbeaten on 115 and put on an impressive 208 third wicket partnership with Leighton Friend (118).
The Greenmount reply was woefully inadequate with only paid man Chesney Hughes (74 not out) showing any kind of batting form, although Matty Donnelly (15) and Sam Greenhalgh (12) at least joined him on double figures.
The defeat sees the Mount sitting bottom of the League One table after five of the division’s tougher fixtures and it will be hoped that, in the coming weeks, skipper Ryan Senior can rally the lads to begin picking up the points that will give the table a more respectable look.
At the Log Cabin meanwhile, the second eleven picked up a well-earned two-wicket victory when Church were the visitors in a closely fought clash.
Church won the toss and chose to bat, putting on a total of 174 all out. Pick of the Greenmount bowlers was Kieran Edwards who helped himself to four victims for 27 runs while there was a brace apiece for Rick Catterall and Alex Bullen.
In the Mount reply, opener Jake Chadwick took the plaudits with a knock of 68 which included three sixes and ten fours.
Yet as 130 for 4 slumped to 170 for 8 the result was somewhat in the balance but a ninth wicket partnership between Bruce Gardner (12 not out) and skipper Oliver Dixon (3 not out) steadied the ship and saw the villagers home in 30.4 overs.
On Saturday the third team travelled to Lowerhouse fourths and enjoyed a convincing 154 run victory.
A superb unbeaten innings of 117 from Wes Young, that included five sixes and eleven fours, ably assisted by skipper Mark Crowther who was unbeaten on 80, saw the Mount post a total of 262 for 2 from their 40 overs.
Openers Nigel Franklin and Edward Dickinson had earlier hit 27 and 16 respectively before the 189 third wicket partnership came to the crease.
That total was always going to be too much for the Lowerhouse side that lost wickets regularly throughout the innings, eventually finishing 108 all out in 19 overs.
With the ball Ryan Edge took 3 for 15, while there were two wickets for Sam Woolley and Steven Addleton.