All three senior Greenmount teams enjoyed another positive weekend with two wins and an exciting tie with Rishton writes John Stevens.
The first team remain top of the table after a win away at Rishton. After the persistent rain earlier in the week it was no surprise that skipper Travis Townsend chose to put Rishton in after winning the toss.
Runs were hard to come by against the miserly spin twin attack of Jacques Snyman and Amal Dalugoda (pictured) supported by the nagging accuracy of skipper Townsend.
The only surprise is that somehow we didn’t manage to bowl Rishton out in 50 overs as they limped to 120 for 9 with only Kieran Grimshaw with 46 not out offering any resistance.
Amal bagged another four wickets with two apiece for Travis and Jacques.
The Greenmount reply was fairly routine and accomplished in just 25 overs, led once again by Jacques with an unbeaten 65 peppered with four sixes.
Jacques was well supported by Andy Kerr who complied a patient 35 in a partnership of 93 for the second wicket.
The win keeps the Mount top of the tree with a resurgent Walsden now biting at their heels. As expected competition is fierce and with 16 games to play it’s set to be an intriguing plot!
There was great excitement at our home encounter with Rishton seconds as the match finished in a tie!
Batting first Greenmount failed to build on a positive start from father and son opening duo Nigel and Rupert Hallows.
Once Nigel was dismissed for a fine 30 with the score on 82, there was a bit of a procession as Greenmount slumped to 119 all out with six overs not used.
Only Ed Dickinson toughed it out for a battling 21 and Chris Sherrington finished 12 not out. The Rishton reply looked to be reasonably straightforward although wickets fell at regular intervals as the Mount refused to give up.
With the score on 108, Paul Manley snared the big seventh wicket of Lunat for 56 off the bowling of Ed Wackrill. This sparked a spectacular panic in the Rishton ranks as Wackrill and Noah Birtwistle polished off the tail with the scores level!
Gareth Williams showed all his experience with a miserly spell of 4 for 21 from ten overs, Noah bagged two wickets and Ed Wackrill took 3 for 32.
A fine battling performance from Oli Dixon’s team which continues to feature a number of young players, they occupy a respectable mid table place after six games.
Saturdays third team encounter with Rishton resulted in a resounding win for Mark Crowther’s young guns.
Noah Birtwistle was unlucky to miss a maiden senior 50 ending unbeaten on 46 and there were fine contributions from Wes Young (32) and Max Birtwistle (29).
Rishton were blown away by the Birty Boys Max and Noah, with Max destroying the top order with 4 for 9 and Noah taking three wickets for just one run.
Dexter Crowther bowled a nice spell and took 1 for 4, Rupert Hallows picked up a wicket and there was a debut success for Luke Hall with 1 for 3.
Mark Crowther also bowled – we aren’t sure why Wes Young didn’t – and the video replay of his somewhat desperate appeal confirms it wouldn’t have hit another set!!
The teams meet again this Saturday at the Mount. Mark and his team would like to thank Rishton for their hospitality and sportsmanship , everyone really enjoyed the day!
This week the T20 action continues on Friday with an away trip to local rivals Ramsbottom.
The tirds home on Saturday and the firsts entertain East Lancs on Sunday.