Ramsbottom 1st XI v Burnley 1st XI – (A) 13 August 2022
BCC 169 all out (47.3 overs) RCC 170 for 6 (48.2 overs)
Scorecard here
Catches Win Matches
The value of good fielding and holding on to any chances given was never better illustrated than in Rammy’s win at last year’s champions Burnley.
After losing the toss (not Grimmy’s strong point) Burnley had no hesitation in electing to bat on a scorching day and a very quick outfield which was not the easiest to field on. With a late cry-off young Toby Ashworth was brought into the side and was entrusted to open our attack with Jake.
The Burnley opening pair of Bedford and Shah immediately set about taking the attack to our young bowlers who did not let it get to them. With the score on 20 Toby produced a beauty which the talented Bedford could only knick to slip where Trig took a comfortable catch to give the youngster his first senior victim, causing wild celebrations amongst the Ashworth clan who were on the ground.
The wicket did not stop the Burnley players chasing the runs with Shah particularly belligerent. However when the score reached 47 he tried one big hit too many and was well caught on the boundary by Josh giving Toby his second victim. This brought the Burnley pro to the wicket and soon after a double bowling change saw Grimmy and Trig replace the two youngsters who had acquitted themselves well.
The change looked to have worked when Trig took a good one handed catch at slip off Grimmy to get rid of Roberts. Marshall then joined Erasmus and the pair looked comfortable in taking the score to 84 before Grimmy introduced the golden arm of Josh Dentith to replace himself. Denty struck immediately, not with one of his better deliveries, but thanks to an outstanding catch by Jason Pyke running in from the boundary and diving full length to take the ball inches from the ground. Only two more runs were added before Trig trapped Lawson LBW but then suffered an injured fetlock which caused him to leave the field and get treatment.
The next over Josh bowled Tomlinson and Rammy were clearly on top. However Burnley bat all the way down the order and skipper Dan Pickup joined his pro. The pair batted sensibly but were restricted by tight bowling from Josh and our pro Sen, backed up by some excellent ground fielding by all in the Rammy team.
Nevertheless they added 60 runs before Erasmus, conscious that the overs were running out, tried to hit Sen over the top only to be well caught by Josh at deep mid off for 45 with the score on 147.
With only a few overs remaining the Burnley tail attempted to wag but our two spinners were able to wheedle them all out for 169 giving us two valuable bonus points. The fielding performance of the Rams was excellent.
Despite all our efforts in the field we knew it was going to be tough chase which was soon emphasised by the excellent opening spell from Tripathi and Bailey. The pair kept scoring to a minimum and were responsible for us losing our openers JD (4) and Tom (22) to rather injudicious shots.
When Grimmy fell caught and bowled off a full toss we stood at 40 for 3 and looked in serious trouble. Jason Pyke then joined Sen at the wicket. Tentative at first, but gaining in confidence, the pair steadily built the score and started to play some high quality strokes. A crucial point in the chase came with the introduction of Lawson into the attack. The ex Ribbelsdale league pro was immediately set upon by both batsmen going for 19 in one over and putting us right in the driving seat. Our score had reached 100 before Jason was caught and bowled for a fine 25.
This heralded the introduction of the whirlwind Harry Caton The first ball he received he put through midwicket for four and despite Sen passing his half century in the partnership it was monopolised by our keeper who scored 37 before being caught on the boundary with the score on 158. Although we lost Brad Fielding, Sen was able to see us through in the 49th over, finishing with an excellent 70 not out to give us a valuable 12 points.
Amateur man of the Match – Josh Dentith for taking 4 for 37 off 12 overs and two catches. It was a great performance in the field by all the lads.
