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The much-anticipated home clash against league leaders Church went ahead on Sunday but it was a black sabbath for the Mount whose lingering promotion hopes took a severe dent following a 112 run defeat.

Another wet week had put the match in doubt but a dry 18 hours prior to the game allowed the outfield to dry enough for it to go ahead.

However, it was the visitors that took full advantage with a comprehensive 12-point victory that keeps them riding high at the top of the Lancashire League Division Two table.

Church skipper Josh Scully won the toss, put his side in to bat and when opener Craig Fergusson was dismissed by a fine diving catch by Max Birtwistle off the bowling of Callum Hunter with the score on 12, it looked like the Mount had made a dream start.

But that wicket only brought visiting pro Asad Shafiq to the crease and his innings of 88 was the mainstay of the Church total of 245 for 6.

While the Pakistan international showed his undoubted class, he was indebted to a number of dropped catches in the Greenmount ranks on what proved to be a bad day at the office.

Mount’s target of 246 from 43 overs never looked on as wickets fell with alarming regularity.

Both openers Jacques Snyman and Evan Williams were dismissed before the 50-run mark and by the time skipper Travis Townsend – who top-scored with 29 – was back in the pavilion they were 114 for 5.

The last four wickets fell for only 12 runs as the reply petered out to 143 all out in 36.2 overs.

The result puts Mount in seventh position in the table, 28 points behind the promotion places with five games remaining.

The club’s second eleven made the reverse trip to Church and rounded off a day to forget with a nine wicket defeat.

Church put Greenmount in to bat and in a rain reduced 38 overs, the evergreen Nigel Franklin took pride of place with an unbeaten knock of 70 sharing a partnership of 83 with Matt Senior who put on 26 not out.

A total of 151 proved to be no problem at all for Church who reached their target for the loss of only one wicket in the 29^th over. Opener Ahmed led the way for the home side scoring 72 not out.

The third team’s scheduled game against Rawtenstall at the Log Cabin fell foul of the weather on Saturday.

Once again the weather conspired to frustrate the first team on Sunday when they travelled to Blackburn to face East Lancashire.

Skipper Travis Townsend won the toss and decided to put the Blackburn side in to bat, however, a sodden Alexandra Meadows outfield delayed the beginning of play and resulted in the game being reduced to 42 overs.

The home team accrued an eminently gettable 121 for 7 from their allotted overs which only served to make it an even more disappointing afternoon as further downpours denied the Mount a chance to chase their target down.

Professional Jacques Snyman and Evan Williams both took two wickets apiece while there was one each for Callum Hunter, Jack Thomond and captain Townsend who reach a milestone of 100 Lancashire League wickets with his lbw dismissal of Junaid Waris.

The five points taken from the game saw the Mount drop to fifth place in the Division Two table but with league leaders Church the visitors to the Log Cabin on Sunday they have a great chance to begin to close the gap on the top two sides in the promotion places.

Meanwhile, groom-to-be Oli Dixon’s second team went down to a rain-affected 14 run defeat when East Lancashire’s second string made the trip to Brandlesholme Road.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat, running up a total of 191 all out in 39 overs.

Leading the way with the ball were Matthew Senior, Noah Birtwistle and Ed Dickinson who each helped themselves to three victims with Nigel Hallows taking the remaining one.

The tea break precipitation delayed the reply and meant that Mount faced a DLS-reduced target of 108 from 28 overs.

Frustratingly, it proved to be a bridge too far for the Greenmount lads who despite a valiant effort, weren’t helped by the retirement of the free-scoring Kieran Edwards who had to leave the fray with a back injury. Top scorers were Nigel Franklin (22) and Ed Dickinson (21 not out).

However, there’s just no stopping the third team who moved 35 points clear at the top of their table following a 39 victory over a strong Crompton third team at the Log Cabin on Saturday.

Skipper Mark Crowther won the toss and elected to bat and the Mount lads ran up 150 for 9 from their 40 overs.

Tom Clarke led the way with the bat, hitting an unbeaten 34,while there were also useful contributions from Max Birtwistle (27) and Ed Wackrill (23).

The visitors were put under pressure from the start and never looked likely to overhaul the Mount total. They eventually slumped to 111 all out.

Leading wicket taker on the day was Noah Birtwistle (3 for 24) with the two Eds – Wackrill (2 for 15) and Dickinson (2 for 16) – close behind. Sam Woolley took the remaining wicket.

So go on then, Barbie or Oppenheimer over a wet weekend?

The entire league programme was washed out leaving it very much “as we were” for the first team in fourth place with now just seven matches to play.

Has there ever been a summer like it? We have now seen five matches (four at home) completely washed out and just three where rain has not affected the game in some way.

There are now only three remaining home fixtures with a particularly big one looming against table topping Church on 6th August.

Before then, minds are focused on the weekend ahead with a trip to East Lancs, who are only four points behind us in fifth place.

It’s definitely still all to play for with just 25 points separating the top seven teams and 16 between us and a promotion spot.
We need a big final push for the last seven weeks of the season  and we have to rise above the weather and just focus on playing one match at a time – that’s a lot of cricket to play and there’s plenty of opportunities for us to go out and take.

Meanwhile, here’s a bit of an appeal to common sense please – we’ve started the week with the cancellation of tonight’s under 11 fixture – although it’s a dry day and for anyone scratching their head, be assured the ground is still wet through after 48 hours of continuous rain.

I know it looks fine from the road however on the ground it is extremely wet!!

Can we please ask for people to stay off the grass especially in front of the pavilion and anyone using the nets to walk around the boundary perimeter and not across the square.

It’s not a massive ask but it’s fair to say that ground care has been even more challenging than usual this season and everyone can help by respecting the playing area.

Thanks in advance for your help and support, fingers crossed for better weather this weekend!

If you are not glued to the Ashes or indeed at Emirates Old Trafford on Wednesday, why not pop down to the Mount for some junior cricket action!

We will be hosting a mini Roses encounter as currently unbeaten  Lancashire under-11 age group entertain East and Central Yorkshire in the first of a series of Roses games leading to a grande finale on 31st August at Rainford CC.

Harrison’s will be open serving breakfast and hot drinks from 9.30am to 12 noon and then burgers / snacks and sandwiches from 12.30pm through to close of play which will be around 5pm.

This will be a 40 over match and is scheduled to start at 11am weather permitting. It would be great to see some local support for county age group cricket.

You never know who may emerge from those on show in future years!

What a wet weekend – while southern Europe basks in extreme heat we’d be better off playing water polo!

Nevertheless, we didn’t need good weather for a memorable evening with the great Mark Taylor who took time out from his Sky commentary commitments to spend 24 hours with his favourite English club.

It was great to see some famous – or infamous? – faces return to the Mount , notably Mark Stewart, John Ashworth, Gary Chadwick, Darron Foy, Dave Jones, accompanied by our current fourth team captain Dave Mason.

Mark was on for a good 90 minutes and supplied the assembled audience with some great anecdotes and memories of 1988. Many thanks to Dave Mason for arranging an awesome weekend!

Mark stayed to watch the fourths on Saturday but after ten overs – during which I couldn’t possibly give Mr Mason out despite a voracious appeal – the heavens opened and that was that.

On to Sunday and more rain however the second eleven started on time and up at Colne the first team were reduced to a 42 overs match.

The seconds once again found their match abandoned due to heavy rain. The bigger issue is how we get the ground dry for next week!

There was another excellent 59 for Kieran Edwards, a gritty unbeaten 35 from Mark Crowther and a cameo 28 from just 31 balls from Oli Dixon in his new role as all rounder – he followed up with a miserly six overs for nine before the rain.

We are still bottom of the table but only nine points from eighth spot and the signs of a potential good run in are there!

Up at Colne the first team managed to complete a win which keeps us very much in the mix, lying in fourth place, 17 points behind second with Middleton at home next week assuming a real “24 pointer” significance, swiftly followed by Church at home on 6th August.

Travis won the toss and Colne were restricted to 158 from their 42 overs with Jacques Snyman bagging another four wickets supported by Evan Williams with two and one apiece for Callum and Tom.

The Greenmount reply was emphatic and clinical, racing to an adjusted target of 146 from just 22 overs and no loss.

Jacques dominated the innings with another fine unbeaten century – his fifth of the season – peppered with five sixes and 11 fours.

Evan continued to show his growing maturity with a fine supporting unbeaten 43 with seven fours and nobody else was needed this week!

A fine win against poor conditions and the threat of rain, plus a relief to get a game in with such localised heavy showers striking nearby.

We move in to Middleton at home – be there in your numbers and support the lads – however we’d just politely remind spectators to stop the practice of “shouting on” to the field especially towards umpire decisions.

The League take a very dim view of unruly crowd behaviour and this carries the risk of points deduction which would be criminal. So please keep it shut apart from encouraging the team!

Here’s an amazing unique view of Greenmount Cricket Club’s Brandlesholme Road ground thanks to our friends at Charles Louis Homes.

The local estate agents and letting agents have donated this superb drone video of the Log Cabin and ground in all its summer splendour – showing why it is one of the most picturesque cricket venues in the country.

Many thanks to James Birch and all at Charles Louis Homes for their kind gesture.

Estate Agents & Lettings Agents in Ramsbottom – Charles Louis Homes

Littleborough Cricket Club will be the venue for the T20 Finals Day on Bank Holiday Monday (August 28th).

Greenmount have been drawn to face Burnley at 1pm while in the other semi-final Rochdale take on Littleborough at 10am.

The final is due to be held at 4.30pm.

Following the euphoria of Friday night’s stellar performance to reach T20 Finals Day, there was always the risk of an unwanted anti-climax on Sunday.

And so it proved in a top of the table league clash at home to Crompton.

In contrast with Friday’s glorious weather, once again Sunday beckoned with the threat of storms and showers and the inevitable intervention of DLS.

Crompton won the toss and predictably invited Greenmount to bat. An early trademark six from Jacques, riding high on the back of an unbeaten century on Saturday, was quickly followed by his dismissal for just eight.

Andy Kerr and Tom Heaton departed quickly to leave us on 24-3 and Travis followed after a brief rebuild with Evan Williams leaving the score on 70-4.

Evan had continued his fine form from Friday and held the innings together. He was joined by Dan Stevens and the ex-Sedbergh School pair added 93 before Evan fell for another fine 87 with 13 fours and a six.

Dan picked up the mantle and with wickets continuing to fall he blazed four sixes to reach an excellent 52 before we were all out for 209 irritatingly with three overs to spare.

Certainly a below par score on a good surface but after the sticky start at least something to defend.

I could copy and paste reports from previous weeks where it has then rained at around 5pm and the game dynamics have altered.

Although 209 was never a massive target it was reduced to 169 from 30 overs following the break.

A quickfire trademark 57 from professional Jamal from 37 balls with six sixes, supported by an unbeaten steady 57 from fellow opener Fazal saw Crompton home with five overs to spare by seven wickets.

Church are now top with nine games left, the Mount slip to 5th however are 16 points from top and just 20 points separate seven teams.

It’s a disappointing loss but this promotion race has many twists and turns so expect the unexpected! We’ve had many fantastic days and performances, the team has to regroup and respond next game – and so does everyone!

One loss does not define the season outcome at this stage so please continue to get behind the team for nine big matches, it will be a rollercoaster ride for sure.

Meanwhile, the second team were at Crompton but were washed away by a big storm after tea which finished the match very quickly.

Batting first we were washed away for 93 and only Nigel Hallows with an excellent 40 demonstrating any resilience with the bat. Crompton were 48-3 when the rain arrived.

On Saturday Mark Crowther’s “high flying thirds” (see what I did there?) overcame Accrington in an exciting rain affected match at the Mount.

Batting first in a 29 over match we piled on 173-6 with Ed Dickinson(48), Crowther in cavalier mode (43) and Rupert Hallows (22).

There was also a cameo 17 from Wesley (that’s his name) Young who now tops the charts as the division’s top run scorer.

The Accrington response to an adjusted target of 140 from 20 overs was spirited and fell just ten runs short.

Max Birtwistle clinched the win with three tight overs and Ed Wackrill bowled with pace and accuracy picking up a wicket and showing real hostility.

A good win as the weather burst the clouds just moments after victory was completed!

Aussie legend Mark Taylor will be our guest next Saturday as the Mount 4th team makes a rare appearance versus Roe Green. No thirds match next week.

Up the Mount !

Greenmount Cricket Club is delighted to announce the retention of South African professional Jacques Snyman for season 2024.

Jacques is an explosive batter and excellent all rounder who has delivered numerous entertaining performances already this season.

Members at the Mount have already witnessed some stunning hitting including an all-time Lancashire League record score of 269 not out and an unforgettable run chase in the T20 at Norden against all odds.

Jacques has really integrated into the club along with his family and has shown an incredible commitment to junior player development.

He’s already achieved 1000 runs for the season and with ten league games to go will continue to spearhead our promotion challenge.

It goes without saying we are all absolutely delighted that you are staying Jacques, definitely a part of the Mount family!

Greenmount bludgeoned their way into the Finals Day of the JW Lees T20 KO on Friday night with a stunning batting display at the Mount.

Batting first on a lovely track, professional Jacques Snyman set the tone following the early loss of Tom Heaton for a brisk 10.

In just 24 balls Jacques hammered 70 with five sixes while Evan Williams supported with sensible strike rotation.

But Evan then decided that he could adopt the aggressive role and he exploded into a sublime knock which yielded 83 from just 40 balls with an amazing eight sixes.

Indeed, such was the nature of his innings it was like having another professional on show!

As if that was not enough, skipper Travis Townsend continued a recent rich vein of form hammering 67 not out from 32 balls with another five sixes.

There was still time for a little cameo from Andy Kerr who hit two sixes in a score of 31 from just 14 balls before being bowled with four balls remaining.

Dan Stevens entered the arena for those last 4 balls and smashed an unbeaten nine to raise the score past 280 and set a daunting target of 284 to win.

Enfield gave the chase a spirited charge but in truth were never going to sustain a rate of over 16 per over and once Cal Hunter and Evan set the tone with tight bowling it was more about fun in the sun as the innings played out 118 runs short.

Wickets were shared around the attack with two for Tom Heaton and one apiece for Evan, Max Birtwistle, Jack Thomond, Travis  and Jacques.

The evening was topped with the announcement that Jacques has re-signed for 2024.

And so to Finals Day for the very first time and another chapter in what’s becoming a memorable season with some blistering entertainment.

Reserve the date in your calendar, Monday 28th August, venue to be announced between Rochdale, Burnley, Littleborough and Greenmount.

Thanks to everyone who supported and especially to those who helped on an incredibly busy night.

The Greenmount Grill with Master Chef Birty and Matt Clarke ably helped by Wes Young, Nigel Franklin and Josh Birtwistle (with thanks to Juan!) and the Bottle Bar with Dave and Jo plus the raffle with Leigh and his assistants.

Well done and thanks to all our staff and Chris for keeping it all together through the night and of course to DJ Skins for music and comedy!

Finally – Sammy Greenhalgh happy birthday that’s a party to remember!  See you all on August 28th!