Match Report Ramsbottom 2nd XI v Bacup 2nd XI – 31 July 2022
BCC 148 al out (39.4 overs) RCC 150 for 5 (36 overs)
Scorecard here
The Round Show
On Sunday 31 July Rammy Seconds faced lowly Bacup Seconds at Acre Bottom. The early season return fixture at Bacup had seen a heavy Ramsbottom win including a maiden second team century form Mikey Howarth. After heavy morning rain, it was a surprise when the game started on time at 1 pm, Bacup deciding to bat after captain Mark lost the toss again. The team showed two changes from the previous week’s win at Rochdale with Jason Pyke and Jack Thomond replacing the US bound Ben Parkinson and first teamer Toby Ashworth.
After an early Mano wicket, Bacup starting scoring at a healthy rate helped by a number of extras to reach 50 for 1. The introduction of spinners Chris and Brad brought early rewards including the dismissal of the dangerous Luke Donovan to leave Bacup on 55 for 3. Batting at 4 for Bacup was the velcro badge swopper Oli Nicholls on loan from Haslingden. Nicholls batted well whilst wickets fell regularly at the opposite end. He ended on 44 not out and Bacup finished on 148 all out with 38 extras and 6 overs to spare. Chris finishing with 5 for 43, Mano 3 for 37 and Brad 2 for 34.
The total felt eminently catchable even if the pitch was showing some uneven bounce caused by the damp. In response Ramsbottom lost Mano to the second ball of the innings which brought Jason to the wicket. Jason looked in good form until he was dismissed followed closely by Seb to leave Rammy on 24 for 3. The key looked to be see out the dangerous Bacup opening pair of Shepherd and Donavan. After surviving an animated claim for a stumping Nick dug in matching a solid defence alongside intelligent running including a rare 5 whilst hitting anything loose. A 45 run partnership with Mikey brought the score to 69 for 4 and shortly after a change of bowling when runs became easier. A partnership of 36 with Charlie brought the score to 105 before Nick and Jack Thomond brought the team home with 9 overs to spare. Nick ending on an excellent 77 not out from 103 balls including 10 fours.
Man of the match candidates include Mano for his 3 wickets, Brad for his 2 wickets but my choice, and to prevent a civil war in the Round household goes jointly to Chris Round for his 5 for 43 and one catch and Nick Round 77 not out.
The win moved Ramsbottom up to 4th in the league with a trip to champion chasing Clitheroe on Sunday 7 August.
Iain Round
