The 2nd team travelled away to Crompton on Sunday under dark skies and a mixed forecast. After slight delay a 43 over match started with Dale winning the toss and opting to bat first.
After a bright start, Ben Parkinson fell for 19 which brought Jonny Dack to join Nick Round at the crease at 25 for 1. This was the start of a match winning partnership, only held back by a brief weather delay and an early tea interval with the score at 117 for 1. Jonny Dack had moved to a fluent 71 not out with Nick Round providing a solid back up on 22 not out.
After enjoying the delights of Marj’s cafe with ample biscuits for all, the Ramsbottom innings restarted in what was now a 36 over game. The partnership continued where they left off with some good running and punishing the bad balls. Jonny Dack reached his 100 with a perfect thin edge to third man. Shortly afterwards Jonny was out stumped (run out?) for an impressive 107 from 87 balls. The partnership had been worth 164 runs. This brought Dale to the wicket to join Nick who had just reached his 50. Nick then took on the leading role to end the innings on 71 not out with 2 sixes and 8 fours. Ramsbottom scored 228 for 4 from their 36 overs.
Crompton opened their reply with Ghulum and Jack inducing some false shots and raps on the glove as the ball took off from a length. This led to one of the openers retiring hurt after a couple of nasty blows to this bottom hand. Shortly after Jack got one to rear up to take the wicket of the Crompton captain, caught at the wicket off his glove. The score was 17 for 1. With the run rate creeping up Crompton looked to up the scoring with some quick running between the wickets and aggressive shot selection. This brought on the spin kings and the runs began to dry up with wickets starting to fall at regular intervals. From 63 for 3 Crompton collapsed to 89 all out. Dale taking 6 for 22 and Chris Round 3 for 17. Both were well supported by some excellent ground fielding and catching – although the least said about Jack’s attempt at deep square leg the better….
A welcome return to winning ways on an overcast day with the 2nds taking 12 points