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Greenmount first eleven got their inaugural taste of life in the Lancashire League top flight on Sunday when they went down by 67 runs at champions Burnley on the opening day of the 2022 campaign.

Some great work in the field – and four wickets from Lewis Dove – restricted the home side to 193 for 5 from their 50 overs after Ryan Senior won the toss and elected to put Burnley in to bat.

Leading the way for the Turf Moor side was South African professional Ockert Erasmus who smashed an unbeaten 76 while Qasim Shah chipped in with 34.

In reply the villagers made a steady start with pro Chesney Hughes and fellow opener Jack Harrison putting on 58 before Harrison was caught-bowled by Erasmus.

There followed a steady fall of wickets as the Mount’s hope of a morale-boosting win at the home of the champions became a forlorn one.

The spin combination of Erasmus and Bharat Tripathi proved to be the difference with only Andy Kerr (11), Dove (17) and Andy McGuinness (11 not out) joining the openers on double figures.

While an opening day defeat – and no points to show for their efforts – isn’t the greatest start, there was plenty to encourage in the display against a team that will no doubt be there or thereabouts when the trophies are handed out at the end of summer.

Meanwhile, at the Log Cabin, the club’s second eleven took on Littleborough seconds in the sunshine.

However, it was a disappointing result for Oliver Dixon’s side as they lost by 63 runs.

Littleborough won the toss and elected to bat and thanks to a great knock of 86 from Shazan Reeza, ran up a total of 161 all out from 37.2 overs.

It was looking good for the Mount as Alex Bullen blasted a quickfire 22 including two sixes, while Patrick Kilvington and Matthew Senior hit 25 apiece. But 85 for 3 quickly became 94 for 9 then 98 all out with skipper Dixon unbeaten on six.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom though as Mark Crowther’s third team picked up a 74 run victory up the valley at Rawtenstall.

The home side’s decision to put Greenmount in proved to be a mistake as the villagers put on 173 in 35.2 overs.

That score owed a lot to evergreen opener Nigel Franklin who hit a fine 89 which included eight fours and three sixes, while debutant Wes Young scored a useful 40.

The Mount total proved insurmountable for the Rawtenstall side who were dismissed for 99 with pride of place going to youngster Eaun Malone who took a superb 4 for 3 from 4.4 overs to show great promise for the future.

Sam Woolley and Steven Addleton added two wickets each with the remaining one falling to Matthew Gilmore.

A heads up on what members have to look forward to this week and the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, which looks like being fine and relatively warm.

Good Friday

Both bars will be open from 12 noon and Danny will be serving breakfast as normal from 10am to 12.30pm. His regular menu will not be available thereafter BUT from 2pm until 8.30pm he is doing a BBQ on the veranda which, among other items, will include delicious food such as burgers, hot dogs, chicken fillet burgers, roasted new potatoes, chips, garlic bread and veggie options. 

On Saturday, and Sunday, Danny will be back serving his normal menu all day from 10am 

Cricket

The Lancashire League starts this weekend!

On Saturday the 3rds travel to Rawtenstall and on Sunday the 1sts travel to current league champions Burnley while the 2nds play at home to Littleborough. All games start at 12.30pm and any support would be greatly appreciated.

Sport on TV

Tuesday –  8pm, Real Madrid v Chelsea

Wednesday – 8pm, Atletico Madrid v Man City & Liverpool v Benfica

Thursday – Lyon v West Ham

Saturday – 12.30pm Tottenham v Brighton 

            3.30 pm Man City v Liverpool FA Cup

Sunday – 2.15pm Newcastle  v Leicester

      4.30pm Chelsea v Crystal Palace FA Cup 

Looking ahead, the club will be showing the pay per view fight between Tyson Fury v Dillian Whyte on Sat 23rd April.

Thank you for your continued support

Senior outdoor cricket training will begin from Thursday, April 7th at 6pm. From the following week, training will be every Tuesday – again with a 6pm start – and any senior (or junior wishing to play senior cricket this year) should attend.

Junior outdoor cricket nets will begin on Friday, April 22nd.

Initial timings will be: Under-9 and Under-11 from 6pm to 6.45pm.

Under-13 and Under-15 from 6.45pm to 7.30pm. The timings will stretch as it becomes lighter and warmer into the summer.

There will also be a junior membership signing-on night at the club on Friday, April 8th from 6pm.

For any players and members available, this weekend there will be working parties on the ground from 1pm on Friday, April 1st, Saturday, April 2nd and Sunday, April 3rd.

Any help will be greatly appreciated as the cricket committee aim to get the ground in tip-top condition ahead of the first games on April 9th and April 10th.

Greenmount Cricket Club has a new chairman. Andy Skinner is taking over the reins from Rob Kilvington after he resigned from the club’s board at Sunday’s AGM at the Log Cabin.

After three years in the hot seat, Rob feels it is time to stand down due to increased work commitments. He has presided over an eventful period in the club’s history with the complicated Covid regulations to contend with as well as overseeing the club’s successful application to join the Lancashire League.

Having made his first team debut at 14 in the 1970s Andy has played a number of positions at the club over the years including first team captain. He is keeping on his role as groundsman.

Speaking after the meeting Andy said: “Everyone at the club would like to thank Rob for the hard work he has put in during his stewardship.

“It’s hard to think of a time when the club has been as popular as it is now and memberships are rising incredibly.

“I hope to continue where Rob left off, carrying on his good work. We will continue to be forward-looking both in the clubhouse, with exciting plans for the future, and, just as importantly, on the field of play which is the reason the club is in existence.

“We are on the brink of our first season in the top division of the Lancashire League and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

Rob will still be seen around the club and will continue coaching with the All Stars junior set-up as well as overseeing the successful 100 Club.

Also leaving the board with Rob are Ben Hornsby, Roger Parker, Gill Senior and Pam Willetts. The club would also like to thank each of them for their work over the years.

That leaves a somewhat slimmed down board with Secretary Leigh Dickinson, Treasurer Heather Murphy, Dave Dawson and Adam Suthers supporting Andy.

Greenmount’s Max Birtwistle has been rewarded for his superb 2021 summer season with a call up for the Lancashire Under-14 squad.

The Year Nine St Gabriels High School pupil, played his first season at senior level, competing in the third team before stepping up to the seconds.

His performances with the ball saw him win a hat-trick of accolades taking the Under-13, Under-18 and third team player of the season awards.

His ability did not go unnoticed at representative level either where he represented the Lancashire League Interleague side and, following a five-week trial, he can look forward to representing the county this summer.

Would you be interested in sponsoring a player at Greenmount Cricket Club?

The club are actively seeking companies or individuals to get behind them in their first campaign in the prestigious Lancashire League Division One by becoming kit sponsors for individual players for the summer.

For an outlay of £150 sponsors will get:

Their company or personal name associated with their chosen player for the 2022 campaign.

Social media presence via the club’s Twitter and Facebook accounts as well as the official club website.

An invitation to a sponsors day at a fixture during the season.

The chance to support a local amateur cricketer at their local sports club.

The cost of £150 provides a kit bundle for the player as well as providing additional funds for the club.

Anyone interested should contact Leigh Dickinson on gccupdates@gmail.com or ask at the club for further details.

Alternatively a Player Sponsor Form can be downloaded HERE.

Indoor nets for the club’s senior cricketers will be held on Sundays throughout March on the 6th, 13th, 20th and 26th at Total Cricket, Oxford Street East, Ashton Under Lyne OL7 0RE.

There will be a one-off £20 charge to use these impressive facilities.

It is hoped that players from all three senior teams will attend and any new players wishing to the join the club will be made welcome.

If there are any queries contact cricket chairman Andy Skinner on 07770 547322.

The club have announced their pre-season friendlies ahead of the first team’s inaugural campaign in Lancashire League Division One.

The firsts will take on old Bolton League rivals Farnworth at Bridgeman Park on Saturday, 9th April with the second eleven hosting Farnworth’s second string at the Log Cabin on the same day.

Twenty-four hours later the firsts then take on Greater Manchester League champions Prestwich at The Heys in just the kind of tough encounter required if they are to be focused and ready to take on Lancashire League champs Burnley on the opening day of the season.

The third team open their league account with a home game against Accrington thirds on Sunday, April 10th.

There’s no change in the first and third team captaincy for the summer with Ryan Senior and Mark Crowther again taking up the roles respectively, however it’ll be a new face tossing up for the second team.

Oliver Dixon is taking up the skipper’s job following Alex Bullen’s decision to step down from the position.

Cricket chairman Andy Skinner said: “I’d like to thank Alex for all his hard work with the ‘twos’ over the past three seasons and I’m sure his replacement Olly will be a great success .

“Ryan and Mark bring continuity to the firsts and thirds and I know they are looking forward to a great summer once we get started in April.

“We are fortunate to have such capable and popular lads as team captains and I’m certain all three will continue to set great examples both on the field and off.”

Eighteen-year-old batsman Dan Stevens has been given the call to fly to St Kitts to join up with the Scotland squad competing in the ICC Under-19 World Cup.

The Greenmount youngster will be with his international teammates for the rest of the tournament which, should they progress, ends on February 5th.

Initially selected as a batting reserve, it should be a great experience for Dan who will be hoping the Scots can reverse their fortunes after an opening game 40-run defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka Under-19s on Friday.

Their group games conclude this week with fixtures against West Indies Under-19s on Monday (January 17) and Australia Under-19 on Wednesday (January 19). Both games will be played at the St Kitts capital Basseterre.

Everybody at Greenmount Cricket Club wishes Dan the very best of luck on his Caribbean adventure.