A much-improved on-field performance from Greenmount’s senior teams this weekend saw two wins from two for the twos but the firsts fell just three runs short of a double! writes JOHN STEVENS
With Euro football fever gripping the nation probably the last thing anyone wanted was a double header but this weekend incorporated the first of the early season postponements.
On Saturday, the first team travelled to Rawtenstall and completed a comfortable win by nine wickets.
Fresh from his exploits with South Africa in the World Legends championship, professional Jacques Snyman starred with 4 for 29 and a typically belligerent unbeaten 64.
The second team match at home followed a similar pattern with the added interest of the first use of a hybrid pitch at the Mount.
Noah Birtwistle starred with 5 for 31 ably supported by Ed Dickinson with 3 for 26 and Matthew Gilmore with 2 for 21.
The runs were knocked off for the loss of Ed Dickinson for 36, Nigel Franklin was stranded on 49 not out and it was good to see a cameo unbeaten 18 from Max Birtwistle.
On Sunday the seconds continued their momentum with a tense one wicket win against a decent Crompton team.
Batting first Crompton made 177 , Ed Dickinson was among the action again with 4 for 37. After the last few games some may have been sceptical about our ability to chase.
Indeed after a shaky start losing four quick wickets things looked tricky. However partnerships continued to build with Chris Sherrington, 40 , Mark Crowther 23 and Liam Riley with an excellent unbeaten 29 being the main contributors.
It was a genuine team effort and an exciting prelude to the football. With captain Oliver Dixon away and pressure on availability with several young players absent, it was a brilliant club effort.
Thanks to Leigh Dickinson and Mark Crowther for stepping up to captain and lead from the front, two excellent days which offer signs of genuine progress and further potential.
The first team had a delayed start in their top four clash away at cloudy Crompton. Their opponents had first use of tricky batting conditions in a game where no player passed 50, finishing on 165 for 9.
Wickets were shared between Jacques 3 for 56, Amal Dalugoda 3 for 42 and Callum Hunter 2 for 42 with Jack Thomond taking the other.
The run chase followed a similar pattern to the seconds with four quick wickets tumbling after Jacques and Tom Heaton had reached an opening stand of 50.
Both fell for 28 and 22 respectively but when Andy Kerr and Gav Nicholl followed we were 68 for 4. Skipper Travis Townsend and Dan Stevens set about a rebuilding stand of 30 before Travis was bowled for 20 by a ball which kept low.
Kieran Edwards and Dan then combined for another stand of 30 before Kie was bowled for 18. Then with the score at 146 with 19 to win Dan Stevens was caught and bowled for a fine 35 and Callum Hunter was caught for 7.
There was still belief that we could get over the line between Jack Thomond and Sam Greenhalgh but Sam was run out in very unfortunate circumstances leaving six to win from the last over. Jack was bowled from the last ball to leave us three runs short.
The result sees Greenmount in fourth place but only 15 points separate the teams so every game is going to be vital – starting next Sunday when league leaders Walsden visit the Mount.
Lots of cricket to be played yet , nine more exciting games to come – don’t miss it!