School’s out and Ramsbottom Juniors march on! Holiday season has started and this always gives opportunities to play in higher age group teams. Players from U11s and even U9s ranks performed brilliantly in the U13s this week.
Bacup CC provided a welcoming reception for a friendly U13s game on a baking hot Thursday evening at Lanehead Lane. The hosts won the toss and decided to bowl, not fancying running about with batting gear on until the temperature had dropped a little. Our opening pair of George Lee (14) and Oliver Croft (11) were backed-up by Harry Bradley (ret 21 not out), Michael Souter (ret 20 not out) and Joe Lynchey (11 off 9 balls) to reach 105-7 off 20 overs. After plenty of drinks for the players (and a few cheeky ones for the parents – why not!) Rammy took to the field and all 10 fielders had a bowl. Pick of the bowling from Corey Lomax (2-0-6-2) and George Lee (2-0-5-2) with a special mention for Lucas Moore (U11s) with his first U13s wicket! Bacup reached 81-8 off their 20 overs but Cricket was the winner. Thank you to Bacup CC for hosting the friendly, especially during their T20 finals day preparations.
Harry Collinge (U11s) and Fred Johnston (U9s) took full advantage of their opportunity on Friday night when the U13s visited Crompton in the league. Having lost to Walsden the previous week, Rammy needed a win to return to the top of the table and the team set about their task with just 10 players available. Crompton were similarly affected by holiday season in a 10-a-side match up. Rammy won the toss and decided to bat, mainly because some of our players were stuck in Friday night traffic! A new opening pair of Michael Souter (8) and Lewie Pearson (17 off 13 balls) helped bring to total to 39-2 in the 6th over. Runs from Harry Bradley (33 not out) and boundaries from George Hill (9 off 5 balls) stacked-up the middle of the innings. Harry Collinge (7 not out) and George Clarke (6 not out) added what turned out to be crucial runs, bringing the total to 113-6 off 20 overs.
Crompton’s reply took a knock when Corey Lomax’s opening delivery provided a close catch to Harry Bradley at Short Mid-on. Corey’s talented bowling continued, finishing with 2 wickets for 6 runs off his 4 overs. The hosts had plenty of wickets in hand with just 38 runs required off their last 8 overs. However, some clinical bowling from George Clarke, Harry Bradley, Lewie Pearson and most of all Harry Collinge starved Crompton of the runs they were seeking. As the required run-rate increased, key wickets were taken and Rammy placed their faith in Harry Collinge for the final over. The young Ram was more than up to the task capping a 9-run victory and finishing with figures of 4 overs, 1 maiden, 1 wicket for 18 runs.
“Rammyfield” U15s made the journey to Darwen on Monday evening and were put into bat by the strong host side. The batting crumbled under accurate Darwen bowling reaching 50 all out from 19.2 overs. Lewie Pearson (11) and James Holt (9) made some powerful strokes, but ultimately the visitors were over-run by a clinical Darwen performance. The hosts made light work of their reply, reaching the target in their 9th over for a 10-wicket victory.
Sadly, our U9s and U11s were mostly away this week and friendlies are being arranged for rest of the season.
Phil Croft
Chair of Junior Foundation
Pictured U13s pictured after their thrilling 9-run win at Crompton on Friday 26th July.
Back Row (L to R): Michael Souter, George Clarke, Harry Collinge, Joe Lynchey, Corey Lomax, Fred Johnston
Front Row (L to R): George Hill, Harry Bradley, Jack Hinchliffe, Lewie Pearson.