Greenmount first eleven suffered their first defeat in the JWL MPA T20 campaign with a comprehensive eight-wicket loss to local rivals Ramsbottom.
After being put into bat, they started strongly, continuing their trend of fast starts. Jacques Snyman smashed 61 from just 33 balls and Tom Heaton added 57 from 39 balls. Their excellent form was no surprise, as both had scored over 50 in the previous T20 match against Norden.
By the time Snyman and Heaton were caught in the deep off finger spinner JJ Fielding, Greenmount were well-placed at 138 for 2. However, the pressure of maintaining a high run-rate led to cheap dismissals for Kieran Edwards (1 from 5 balls) and Travis Townsend (4 from 11 balls).
It took a valuable unbeaten knock of 25 from 26 balls by Gav Nicholl to guide them to a competitive total of 172 for 4.
This was to be the high point of the match, as Ramsbottom responded with a devastating batting performance. Greenmount’s usually reliable spinners particularly struggled with a wet ball on a damp June evening, failing to build much pressure in a frustrating bowling effort.
The home side’s star was opener Brad Fielding, who scored 65 not out from 44 balls, supported by Hareen Buddila’s unbeaten 56 from 33 balls. Coming in at 66 for 2, they piled on the pressure with regular boundaries, comfortably seeing their side to victory in the 18th over.
Snyman and Jack Thomond took the only two wickets to fall, but it was a disappointing defence of an imposing total for the team in black and green.
The defeat places them fourth in their group, with Ramsbottom moving to the top spot. Greenmount’s next T20 fixture sees them travel to Walsden on Friday 14th June.