Ramsbottom went into Fridays T20 clash with Crompton knowing that whoever came out on top was more or less certain of progressing further in the competition.
T20 win on a ‘Sun Drenched’ Evening
Taking first knock – the Rams knew that a decent score was essential against a team who had blasted them round the park in the recent league fixture.
Alex Olpin continued his good form throughout the season – opening the innings and providing the glue for the team, sticking in while others around him perished.
Professional George Linde, Simon Hanson and skipper Tom Parton all got a start and looked good but then lost their wickets at crucial times for scores of 14, 20 and 16 respectively. When Olpin departed four runs short of what would have been a deserved half century the Acre Bottom boys struggled along to post an end of innings total of 138 for 9.
Knowing the way Crompton play the game, a number of the ‘Rammy’ faithful felt this score was insufficient and when eleven runs came off the first over they may have thought the writing was on the wall. Tom Parton threw the ball to Dan Pyke and what happened in the next few overs completely changed the game. ‘Virgil’ as he is known to the lads completely wrecked the opposition’s top order finishing with the astonishing figures of 4 for 5 off his allotted 4 overs. His victims included Crompton’s top three amateurs Jamal, Louis and Wright and with Jack Wynn bowling the opposition’s Sub-Professional Crompton were reduced to 27 for 6 and it was game over.
The Rams visibly relaxed in the field allowing the opposition captain to reach a respectable total, however the result was never in doubt.
One of the best and destructive pieces of bowling seen in a T20 match at Acre Bottom by Dan Pyke earned him man of the match.