Match Report Crompton 2nd XI v Ramsbottom 2nd XI 25 April 2021
Crompton 142 for 9 (45 overs) Ramsbottom 144 for 7 (30.2 overs)
The 2nd team travelled to Glebe Street to play Crompton in their second League match of the season. Despite the sunny conditions the ground had a Baltic feel at the clubhouse and it was not long before the travelling faithful congregated in the sun on the slightly warmer opposite side protected by the wall. Iain Round enjoying his pre ordered roast dinner, whilst the rest tried hard to eke a word out of the shy and retiring Janine Ireland.
Meanwhile Crompton won the toss and decided to bat first. Initially runs were hard to come by from the bat due to some excellent bowling, when straight. After a steady start by the Crompton openers both Owen Collinge and Ryan Storey picked up a wicket to leave the home side on 40 for 2. Rigby and Hayee then put together a partnership of 60 that looked like setting a base for a big score. The breakthrough was made by the veteran Michael Howarth making a rare appearance with ball. Michael dismissed Rigby LBW for 40 and that signalled a middle order collapse. Supported by Jack Thomond Crompton were soon 106 for 7 with Jack returning figures of 3 for 26 from 8 overs.
The was a slight tail end recovery before Owen Collinge returned to dismiss Billing for 17 and Crompton ended their 45 overs on 142 for 9. The second highest top scorer with 35 was extras.
After losing to Colne in the first match it was important to pick up a win and Rammy recovered well to restrict Crompton to 142. Our reply however didn’t start well with Toby Ashworth and Nick Round being dismissed for single figures. When Michael Howarth and captain Jonathan Dack soon followed them back to the pavilion we looked in trouble. New father Samuel Price and Owen Collinge steadied the ship before Owen was adjudged LBW for 13. The target of 142 then looked a long way away. Jack Thomond joined Sam and they put together what ended up as a match winning partnership. Sam walked after being caught behind for 38 but Jack saw us to the target with an assured 45 not out, surviving a possible run out by the sub fielder Nick Round following a mix up with Ryan Storer. A very impressive all-round performance by Jack.
So a much-needed win and 10 points. It perhaps could have been a more comfortable chase if we had not helped the total with extras. It feels like a recurring theme so here is the running total of extras conceded, an obvious area for improvement as the season progresses.
Running Total of Extras Conceded by
RCC 2nd XI 69
Opposition 2nd XIs 36
