Andy Kerr and club professional Chesney Hughes broke both the Lancashire League opening partnership and any partnership records when they put on 320 for the first wicket in the firsts match against East Lancashire at the Log Cabin on Sunday.
The highest opening partnership was previously 257 by Jon Finch (123) and professional Ryan Harris (144) for Lowerhouse against Rawtenstall in 2007 while the highest stand for any wicket was previously 273 in 2003 by Graham Knowles (170 not out) and Mike Ingham (100 not out) for Haslingden against Church.
The firsts finished on 341 for 2 with Chesney unbeaten on 159 off 163 balls with 20 fours and two sixes. Meanwhile Andy scored 127 off 126 balls with 20 fours.
Callum Hunter then tore through the East Lancs batting order to finish with his best first team figures of 7 for 27 from ten overs as the opposition were bowled out for 141.
The fantastic performances didn’t finish there as keeper Mattie Donnelly picked up five victims with two stumpings and three catches. The 12 points kept the firsts tied in third place with Church, just seven points off leaders Littleborough who they face on Saturday.
The seconds were involved in another high scoring game when they travelled to Alexandra Meadows to take on their East Lancs counterparts on Sunday.
After winning the toss, openers Jake Chadwick and Ben Hornsby put on 140 before Jake was out for 64. Ben followed for 83 as did Leigh Dickinson (22) but a quickfire 84 from Brad Edge took the seconds to 324 for 5 off their 45 over allocation.
A strong East Lancs batting line up meant that they were always in contention – albeit slightly behind the scoring rate – and eventually finished on a very competitive 293 for 6, with major contributions of 58, 82 and 54 not out from S Mohammed, S Iqbal and J Waghat respectively.
Ollie Dixon was perhaps the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 55 helped by a couple of excellent catches from skipper Alex Bullen.
Friday night saw the T20 team host the counterparts from Ramsbotton in what many people thought was the first competitive game between the two clubs.
Before the match there was an impeccably observed minute’s silence in memory of Greenmount CC’s Pete Bowker. Our thanks go to Ramsbottom players, members and supporters for their part in what was a particularly poignant moment for the GCC players and members.
Having won the toss and elected to bat, a big score looked possible whilst pro Chesney Hughes and Tom Heaton were in. But once they were out for 34 and 41 respectively momentum was lost with only Owen Halstead with 19 not out able to do anything against some tight Ramsbottom bowling as the T20 team finished on a below par score of 136.
Ramsbottom’s innings was really a Brad Fielding masterclass, with an impressive 84 not out off 45 balls including seven fours and seven sixes as Ramsbottom won by eight wickets.
ROB KILVINGTON (GCC chairman)