Ramsbottom 1st Team v Burnley 1st Team – (A) 29 August 2021
BCC 185 for 5 (50 overs) RCC 100 all out (38.4 overs)
Scorecard here
On Sunday afternoon, the 1st XI travelled to Burnley the same day a large following of Leeds United supporters for their game across the wall on Turf Moor.
Burnley won the toss and elected to bat, the wicket looked green but firm and over the years the Burnley wickets generally produce a fair match for bat and ball.
Skipper, Grimmy and Jacob Clarke opened the bowling, Grimmy receiving a loud chorus from the Leeds fans with his first ball.
Jacob got 2 early wickets removing Joey Marshall with a sharp catch from Matt “the bird” Burdaky and Chris Holt. 30 / 2.
This brought the Burnley Pro, Ocki Erasmus to the crease who joined Matt Roberts. Between them they added 67 for the 3rd wicket before Daryn Smit removed Roberts for a well crafted 52 although a few shots dropped short to our fielders throughout his innings. Daryn had been keeping prior to his bowling stint and as he does when he dons the gloves was immaculate with his skills.
Erasmus has he’s done over a long period time within the league and against us, once again played nicely for his 74 not out.
A splendid diving catch from Birdy off Grimshaw removed Chris Burton and Smit bowled the dangerous and hard hitting McCluskie looking for quick runs towards the end of the innings. Shah, 22 not out added a further 44 runs with Erasmus, Burnley finishing on 185 for 5. The general feeling was this score was certainly achievable albeit against an experienced spin attack plus the tight seamer, Fergus Bailey.
The fielding in general was steady and the bowlers bowled with consistency.
Unfortunately, we found ourselves 12 for 2 with Olpin and Nick Round removed early. Grimshaw and Daryn were again trying to rebuild the start of our innings when Daryn agonisingly played on, the ball rolling in slow motion and removed one bail.
Grimshaw continued to play nicely for his 40 but with no other batter getting into double figures we ended 100 all out.
It was a come down from the previous Sunday after beating Walsden but this team is still in transition and are learning some harsh and tough lessons against these top, strong sides in the 1st Division.
But as the Leeds fans sang from the away end “Marching on Together” this is what these players and lads are trying to do in tough player circumstances for the club. We can’t fault the lads commitment and togetherness but 1st XI cricket is an unforgiving environment.
This weekend we play Lowerhouse away on Saturday and Rochdale at home on Sunday so we hope the team can get closer to the performance that the Ramsbottom faithful witnessed against Walsden.
Grimshaw, man of the match for his knock of 40.
