A season of two halves
It is well known within club cricket that second team captain is the most difficult job. After the 2021 season, I am sure that the 5 second team captains this year (Jonny, Mikey , Brad, Sam and Nick) will agree 100% with this statement! With an already depleted squad, new injuries, players falling down nightclub stairs on the morning of the game and the dreaded COVID, selection has been a nightmare with many panic pre match mornings searching for players.
The second team finished 8th out of 12 with 8 wins, 3 non results and 11 defeats. With the selection problems mentioned above the last win of the season was 10 July followed 7 consecutive defeats .The team used 32 different players; Haslingden who finished second used 18. Only 4 players played in the first win of the season and the final game.
As hinted above the season started well. After an early defeat to Colne the team reacted well and had some great wins throughout May and June including Walsden at home. Batting highlights included hundreds by Pin versus Todmorden, Pyke minor versus Colne and hundreds for Pin and Nick versus Norden. On the bowling side Chris took 6 wickets against Tod and 5 against Rochdale.
The second half of the season was a struggle with a very young and inexperienced team facing seasoned opposition. The team battled well, kept their heads up and the many youngsters will have learnt plenty about senior cricket.
End of year stats
Batting
Pin 401 runs at 80
Pyke minor 358 runs at 60
Round major 320 at 32
Sam 276 at 25
Mikey 220 at 27
Brad 156 at 14
Jack T 156 at 39
Johnny Dack 155 at 26
Peel Brow Express 139 at 10
Bowling
Round minor 25 wickets at 12
Jack T 16 at 20
Birdy 13 at 19
Brad 13 at 24
Peel Brow Express 13 at 37
Toby 10 at 23
Catching
Jonny Dack 10
Tom 5
Round major 5
Brad 5
Thanks to all the parents for their support throughout the year. Special thanks also to Rob Read and Chris Woods for their managerial (and sometime playing ) support which is really appreciated .
Extra special thanks to everyone who stepped in at very little notice to ensure we had 11 players. You know who you are!
By Iain Round
