Welcome to the Clifton Cricket Club website
THE DIARY FOR 2004
December 2004
A.G.M.
All the
elected new (and old) faces are listed on the ‘officials’ page. A decent
turnout at the AGM on Thursday December 2nd saw quite a few changes to the
management and playing sides of the club’s structure. There were also warnings
from the senior officials about complacency and the need for commitment
as the downward trend in the licensed trade generally starts to affect
turnover. The recent experiment in providing conference facilities is
showing
signs of being a successful move, but other ways of raising finance need to be
sought.
The
recent deluge of rain has led to a problem with the clubhouse roof which needs
urgent and possibly expensive repair or, more likely, replacement.
GOOD NEWS
to end the year in that former CCC junior and 1st XI wicketkeeper Gareth Cross
has been offered a contract with Lancashire making him the third Clifton
keeper in thirty years to achieve the feat.
November 2004
NEW
PROFESSIONAL SIGNED
Full Name:
Chinthaka Umesh Jayasinghe
Born: 19 May 1978, Kalutara
Major Teams: Burgher Recreation Club, Nondescripts Cricket Club, Chilaw Marians
Cricket Club.
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Medium
Career Statistics:
FIRST-CLASS
(1996/97 - 2004/05; as of 26/11/2004)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
Batting & Fielding 79 120 14 3240 142 30.56 5 17 61 0
O M R W Ave BBI 5 10 SR Econ
Bowling 699.2 169 2080 86 24.18 5-39 1 0 48.7 2.97
LIST A LIMITED OVERS
(1998/99 - 2004/05)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
Batting & Fielding 60 49 12 828 72* 22.37 0 3 23 0
O M R W Ave BBI 4w 5w SR Econ
Bowling 292.3 39 1071 51 21.00 4-17 1 0 34.4 3.66
October 2004
End of Season
Golf Day
Sixteen Club
members attended the first of hopefully many golf days down at
September 11th
3rd X1 END OF
TERM REPORT 2004
After the
narrow escape of last season when relegation was only just avoided, it was nice
to be in a comfortable mid table position at the end of July with a chance to
enjoy our cricket and relax a little more.
One of the main
reasons for this was the mass of runs which Philip Royle accumulated throughout
the season which gave the bowlers something to bowl at in most matches.
Another
contributory factor was the number of times Tony Potter won the toss (what a
good tosser he is).
Dave Rogers
and Tony Potter were the pick of the bowlers with Dave pushing Tony hard to try
and win the bowling prize.
The third
team benefited greatly from the signing of Ian Davidson this season and he made
his mark as an all-rounder and if Philip did not get runs the Ian usually did.
The improved
performances of the Juniors in the team must not be overlooked. What a
difference a year makes ! Where they struggled at times last season, they
blossomed this season. We lost Jamie Royle, Scott Davis and Michael Hay to the
first and second teams quite early on in the season but those who continued
with us Taylor Marshall, Richard Borrit, Michael Dempster and Kane Bentley to a
lesser extent because of his football commitments showed their increasing
maturity as cricketers, all making valuable contributions to the cause,
particularly Taylor Marshall who was an absolute star in the field and made a
number of excellent contributions with both bat and ball.
On the down
side it was disappointing to lose so many players though the season on the
morning of a game, needed by the first and second team to replace people who
cried off at the last minute. We understand this is a necessary part of being a
third teamer but it should not happen as frequently as it did this season and
it is to be hoped that we can improve in this regard next year. All the same,
thanks to all the people who stepped in at the last moment for the third team,
we always took the field with eleven players plus a scorer even Steve Eccles
Toddlers at East Lancs Paper Mill.
Highlights of
the season:- Philip’s century at Prestwich which did not deserve to be for a
losing cause. Tony Potter’s 8 wickets at Thornham extracting turn and bounce
from a very flat track. Good efforts at Farnworth S C by Paul Smith and Taylor
Marshall to help Philip post a decent score on a very lively wicket for Dave
Rogers to bowl at and take 8 wickets. Some brilliant umpiring by Bernard
Sweeney at Fothergill and Harvey which made for a quite exciting game.
Sparkling batting at the end of the innings by Taylor and Steve to give us a
total that was too taxing for Swinton Moorside especially with Davo wrapping up
the game with 5 for 4. Philip and Tony putting on 130 for the first wicket to
bag the points against Catholic Club on an excellent batting track. Dave Rogers
again bowling unchanged against Fothergill to claim 6 wickets. A maiden 50 for
Paul Dempster against ELPM, unfortunate not to be on the winning side. Paul
Smith’s efforts with the chicken legs at EPLM was an outstanding effort, he’s
just come out of intensive care. Above all, Norman Selvester’s dedication to
the cause for God knows how many years must not go unmentioned, he has
performed sterling stuff behind the stumps for the 3rd team and deserves to put
his slippers on and light his pipe. You have been a credit to the game Norm’
Many thanks
everybody this season, players, umpires, scorers, tea-girls and groundsmen. I’m
sure that you are all looking forward to next season already.
Sept 4th
CLEAN SWEEP !
The under 11s made it a full house by adding the B&DCA knockout trophy to
the league championship and LCB knockout at the weekend. Although Blackrod
posted a decent total, it proved no obstacle to the latest crop of talented
youngsters. All of which makes the double defeat suffered by the firsts a
little more palatable, especially when the seconds managed a more than
comfortable double and the thirds had a quite remarkable win, albeit in a
friendly game.Despite another half century from Dave Hamilton, it was a case of
'season over' for the firsts who's top four spot disappeared into the mists
with a double setback. Stephen Thorpe's creditable eight wicket haul in the
seconds helped them to a 40 point haul, but only pride to play for now. The
thirds seven wicket win at East Lancs Paper Mill was notable in that six
players were under thirteen years of age; and what a remarkable crop of talent
they are with Simon Hope (15 runs), David Dempster (8no), Liam Holt (2 wickets)
and Paul Alexander, Adam Holt and Richard Dempster (1 wicket apiece) all making
telling contributions.
Aug 21st
It's
been a busy long weekend at the club, but no other achievement (see below) can
compare with the Under 11's stunning win over Haslingden in the final of the
Elton's seven wicket win
over Blackrod, and Darcy's four wicket win over Lostock maintained the large
gap at the top but Walshaw's win over fifth placed Daisy Hill who picked up
only three points, and Atherton's surprise massacre at Adlington in which they
managed four points still leaves a glimmer of hope for a top four spot.
It was a
disappointing score of 154 for the firsts when 200+ looked on, but the wicket
was always going to be tricky and, in the end, the overs given away to A&T
gave some insurance as good bowling and fielding left the visitors 37 runs
short.
Elton...
25 15 1
5 4 60 384
Darcy
Lever... 25 15 3
4 3 44 362
Atherton...
25 12 5
6 2 81 333
Walshaw...
25 12 6
4 3 73 331
Daisy Hill...
26 12 7
3 4 40 307
Meanwhile, the seconds continued to grind out another
win, this time by five wickets at A&T, but the real story is the growing
dissatisfaction with the general quality of opposition in the second XI
competition as only one in every six or so games provides any meaningful
competition.
The thirds
had another win, this time exacting revenge over 
he
declared quite definitely (just before running me out) that there was no way he
was getting it back !
One for the
archives as three generations of Dempsters played together in the same side.
This is certainly the first time I've ever heard of this happening at
August 7th
Clifton's
talented bunch of Unders 11's made it a week to remember at the weekend when
they managed to clinch a superb victory against a strong side from Penrythm to reach
the final to be played at Clifton on 31st August (Bank Holiday Monday). This
talented bunch of youngsters have already won the League title and are in the
Cup final to be played on the 5th September. After scoring 212 runs, they kept
the visitors to under 200 runs to book a place in the final after a tense
finish which saw Richard Dempster and Adam Holt take vital wickets in the last
few overs.
The First XI
managed a winning draw on Saturday against Edgworth and the 2nd's also managed
an easy victory. This was followed up on Sunday when they defeated a poor
Spring View side who only managed 50 runs. This total was easily knocked off
for 1 wicket with Michael Hay scoring 35 not out and Anthony Walsh taking 6-9 !
August 7th
Clifton's
talented bunch of Unders 15's made it a week to remember at the weekend when
they managed to clinch a superb League and Cup Double when they defeated their
closest rivals Walshaw in a thriller on Sunday morning. As well as the
performances of our talented youngsters, a lot of the credit must also go to
Team Manager, Phil Royle and his able assistant Trevor Hay who, along with
coach Robin Jackson have moulded this team into a well oiled machine and have
gone throughout the whole season undefeated !
August 3rd
It seemed a cert that, following their Cross Cup defeat at the hands of Walshaw last week, there would be an almost meaningless victory over them in the league this week, but it was not to be as the only consolation was the restricting of the championship chasers to twelve points out of the game. Chasing a daunting 233-9 Geoff Griffiths continued his own personal revival with a half century and Dave Hamilton fell one short of doing the same. However, despite four wickets from Robin Jackson, the 233-9 was too many and the innings closed 0n 191-5.
The revenge
then, was left to Walshaw's seconds who, with telling irony, avenged the
exciting one wicket defeat earlier in the season by concocting their own one
wicket win in the return. Several
SUDDENLY......the
thirds are charging up on the rails as unlikely outsiders for the second
division championship! Another conclusive win on Sunday against previous bogey
team Fothergill & Harvey means it's all to play for in the remaining games.
Dave
Rogers toiled manfully in nasty humidity to take 6-42 as the men from th'ills
were dispatched for 115 in a 38 run victory. Debutant Thomas Clarke became the
latest off the junior production line at fifteen and a bit and batted with
considerable promise for his 20no.
July 19th
OFF THE HOOK
Firsts are Cross Cup bridesmaids again as Walshaw recover from 13-2 to win
comfortably. It all looked very rosy for the club's Cross Cup ambitions until the
last few overs of Walshaw's innings when then they recovered first from 13-2,
then 80-5 and finally 148-8 to total a respectable 172-9 at the close after a
series of disastrous dropped catches. After that it was a case of 'as you were'
as nobody managed to get going with the bat and the club slipped to it's third
successive cup-final defeat. Credit goes to Geoff Griff, but his thirty runs
and three wickets were not enough on the day.
Meanwhile,
almost unnoticed, the thirds notched up another Sunday four pointer with a
winning draw against Swinton Moorside. Phil Royle's 71 was the backbone of the
innings which petered out disappointingly after looking like a 220 plus score
at one stage. However, the 187-9 was too many for our nearest neighbours as they
closed on 145-6.
On SATURDAY
the firsts had warmed up for the final with a DOUBLE SUCCESS AGAINST
ADLINGTON. The firsts warmed up nicely for the Cross Cup Final with a 62
run win over professional-less Adlington with Steve Holt grabbing six for sixty
and Andy Griffiths (81) and Dave Hamilton (75) hopefully getting set for
another biggie in the final. However, Walshaw also faced weak opposition and
rattled up 243-6 against Golborne.
The seconds
could only manage a winning draw against Adlington seconds with Davies and
Davis scoring sixty odd apiece and Danny Varney taking three wickets.
July 12th
BOTH
SATURDAY'S FIRST & SECONDS GAMES AGAINST BLACKROD WERE WASHED OUT WITHOUT A
BALL BEING BOWLED..... where's the sun gone?
THE THIRDS
surpassed last season's points total with another win over Farnworth SC (with
Dwyers) on Sunday. A classy all-round performance from Ian Davidson (72no &
5-41) took the eye but there was plenty left in the locker at the end of the
day.
The league
have awarded Daisy Hill the game after that shambles earlier in the season (see
club news). It makes one start hankering for the new football season. Watch
this space for the explanation of this decision - it should be interesting.
July 4th
That was the
bleakest, blackest weekend for eons and with a month to go to the Cross Cup
Final, it's time to take stock and start planning. When
June 27th
FIRSTS MAKE
ANOTHER CROSS CUP FINAL.
IT'S A THIRD IN FOUR YEARS, BUT WILL IT
BE THIRD TIME LUCKY ??
It'll
be Walshaw in August 1st's Cross Cup Final after Andy Griffiths and Ian Morris
scored an unbeaten fifty seven apiece to clinch a match which was tighter than
the score suggests. Atherton were in trouble after the prolific scorers
all went with the score barely over fifty, so to rack up 155 meant they would
be reasonably happy at tea. BUT after a shaky start, in stepped the home-grown
duo to pace the win to perfection.
The flip side was the seconds' first
Isherwood Cup defeat since 2001. The seconds relinquished their hold on the old
trophy after a poor batting display against League Leaders Elton. But at least
they will have the opportunity for revenge next weekend as Elton seek to take
away our League Champs trophy as well.
For once the
forecasters got it right and it was rain, rain & more rain for Saturday's
clashes against Darcy, but Elton & Standish firsts stole a march by
dodging the showers and picking up max points.
June 20th
The firsts
produced another one of THOSE performances which are only tempered by the fact
that it was a double header weekend so it's easily forgotten as long as
Sunday's result goes to plan. Thankfully it did against a Little Hulton side
who set the early season pace but have since fallen away. It was a grafting
performance which saw them overtake LH's 109 in the 50th over for eight wickets
on Sunday. HOWEVER that willingness to graft was conspicuously absent on
Saturday when they capitulated for a miserable 68. We can at least congratulate
the seconds on yet another good win overtaking A. & T.'s 150 with around
thirteen overs to spare. Danny Varney (48no and 4-46) showed the way, but once
again it was a great all-round team effort. AND the thirds managed a win at Roe
Green for the first time in living memory (well almost) thanks to a five-for
from Tony Potter and some spirited batting.
June 13th
NOT ENOUGH
RUNS !!
2nds CARRY
THE FLAG AS 1sts AND 3rds GO DOWN.
These days
200 just isn't anywhere near enough at Clifton (see below) and a teatime chat
with Atherton stalwart Philip West proved prophetic. The consensus was
that one decent innings would be enough to win it for the visitors and this
proved accurate as West, who has been with Atherton since he was a nipper,
clubbed 83 to win it for his team. The only consolation was that both Darcy and
Elton lost as well. Earlier the firsts had posted 206-8 with no-one able to
build on a start and go on to make the big score that would put it beyond Atherton. The
seconds continued their good form in beating Atherton by five wickets having
dismissed them for 85. Once again it was a solid team performance with no one
player outstanding. The thirds, chasing a similar score, at Rochdale
Catholic Club fell foul to another Saturday of cry-offs by going down on a
somewhat dodgy wicket.
SUNDAY.........proved
the point precisely, as the Anthony Axford B&DCA representative side
rattled up what is believed to be a record score for the Manchester Road
ground, scoring 301 runs in 48 overs in the Manchester Evening News
inter league knockout game. The shell-shocked Saddleworth League, to their
credit, went on to score well over 200 themselves, but were soundly beaten on
the day. Despite the score, the league's perceived big hitters in Tony Kelly,
Brett Collins and our own Andrew Griffiths all failed. It was left to Atherton
duo Neil Bannister (117no) and Karl Brown (83) to do the damage. Credit also to
groundsman Graham Robins who was delighted to note that the strip was
relatively undamaged after the game!
June 6th
SHAMBOLIC
SATURDAY!!
Instead of
discussing cricketing exploits from the Daisy Hill encounter, all the talk was
of allegations of ball tampering, duff LBW decisions, sledging, racial abuse,
cheating and finally umpires who don't even know how many overs have been
bowled, so the result of a vital 1st XI game will be decided at a meeting,
instead of on the field of play.
An exciting
top of the table game, which could have seen us going into second place, saw
Daisy Hill reduced to 148 all out thanks to seven wickets for Wooly, and then
recovering from 31-5 to reach the last over needing three to win. BUT the last
over wasn't to be as, incredibly, the umpires seem to have got their sums wrong
and pulled up the stumps. Not surprisingly this led to tensions which resulted
in some unsavoury moments - all of which could and should have been avoided.
Even the teletext couldn't fathom it, declaring that Daisy Hill 148,
THE SECONDS
also had a tension filled game, but reasonably decent umpiring and common sense
prevailed and a great game of cricket ensued resulting in a good win. Pete
Davies notched fifty but the highlight was a smashing all-round team
performance in which almost every player contributed.
SUPER SUNDAY
Sunday saw
three teams out and three victories to celebrate.
There's cup
semi-final dates to look forward to for the firsts and seconds after double
success against Blackrod and a hard earned win for the thirds at
May 30th
It's only the
end of May and the trophy cabinet is expecting it's first contribution
already.
It was the
firsts turn to cause chewed nails as their last ball win over Spring View made
it a max point weekend to put pressure on the leaders. Dave Hamilton overcame
his botty problems to notch yet another fifty, but it was the partnership
between Dave Garner and Steve Holt, taking the score from 115-5 to 190, which
caught the eye. The seconds recovered from a Saturday disaster to notch an
easy win as well with 'Reg' Varney taking six. On Saturday Dave Hamilton and
Andy Griffiths had combined to smash the Edgworth attack and knock off the 133
runs required in 22 overs, in a rain affected game. Steve Holt continued his
personal vein of bowling form to take four of the wickets to
fall. However, the seconds produced another Jekyll and Hyde performance to
capitulate to the opposition's 134 by 22 runs having been 82-2. Danny Varney
(45) looked set to win it on his own before missing a full toss.
May 22nd
Youngsters show the way as Walshaw leave empty handed. What an utterly remarkable performance the firsts and seconds put
up to take max points off Walshaw with well over a dozen players sidelined.
Where to start? Jamie Royle's untroubled 61 opening up for the firsts. Scott
Davis' six wickets and fifty for the seconds. Grant Cordin, Michael Hay - the
list goes on. The not so young 'uns played their part as well in a remarkable
day that saw both sides winning last over thrillers.....BUT the thirds
paid the price for the absence of so many players, eventually going down at
Fothergills, but coming good on Sunday with a win over Swinton Moorside that
saw TEN l.b.w. decisions.
April 26th
SLOW AND LOW...no, it's not Wooly's new nickname,
it's the state of the playing surfaces last weekend, despite the midsummer
weather conditions. Unfortunately it was the firsts who coped worst as the
club's slow bowlers stole the limelight with no fewer than 23 wickets between
them. Tony Potter stole the show with 8-32 (&
April 19th
week one
and.........THE ONLY WAY IS UP ! It's a bleak start to life for the two new
skippers, and the winter weather didn't help - apart from robbing bogey team
Standish of yet another unlikely home victory. Even less likely was the seconds
demise at home. Last season's run machines need a bit of oiling methinks!
BRIGHT SPOTS........ Dave Hamilton kicks off with another run blitz, scoring 69
not out out of 135-5. "Bloody slow though" moaned his new skipper.
Stephen Birch likes playing against Standish, but his 5-17 wasn't enough to
save his side from defeat this time.
April 13th
Welcome back to Graham Robins, the club's new groundsman. Graham did the job for several years a decade ago and replaces Albert who has retired. Many thanks are due to Albert whom we hope to see regularly during the season
2003 - Blow by Blow
snippets from news items from last year
Clifton CC's own answer to Frances Lee stepped out in from of over 67,000 fans packed into Old Trafford on Manchester Derby Day, in a penalty shoot out competition at half time. Paul came away from the competition 2nd best (just like his team !!). You own Webmaster was half way up the stairs back into the ground at half time after his Bovril and the roar from the crowd said it all - "You fat person" (or something along those lines) and there he was, placing the ball down on the penalty spot. Paul scored his first two penalties but had his last one saved which resulted in a 2-2 tie. A sudden death shootout ensued and our hero had his spot kick saved and couldn't prevent the United fans from the chant of "28 years" stating the fact that it has been that long since City won anything and they couldn't even win a penalty shoot out !
LARGE HOLE APPEARS
UNCLE REMUS BOWS OUT
A miserable, rainy day at Adlington provided the backdrop to the end of Eric
Brabin's long career on Saturday. In an emotional dressing room, he told his
team mates nearer the start of their careers to work hard and play hard on the
cricket field and the less young to play on as long as they could, but above
everything, to enjoy the game. Earlier he had been applauded to the wicket by
team mates and Adlington players alike and responded with a typically mean
bowling spell and two catches. He then emulated Don Bradman by registering a
duck in his final innings ! Skipper Pete Davies praised his wily all
rounder and then proceeded to break the memento he was about to present. Oh
well - I suppose it's the thought that counts Pete !
GET THE POLISH OUT
! It's appropriate that John Charlson presented Pete Davies
with the championship shield, it was his club, Atherton, who last achieved the
double in 1992. It also became a personal triumph for Pete Davies last weekend
as, almost unnoticed, he emulated Dave Hamilton by passing the magical 1000 for
the season. CONGRATS to Pete - it doesn't get much better than this !
All of which brightened up a dull
weekend with the firsts defeated again and the seconds failing to manage
four runs from the last over to construe a losing draw by just one
agonising run on Saturday against Elton. Double victory against Daisy Hill on
Sunday was a massive consolation for the seconds but not for the firsts who's
2004 Lancashire Knockout aspirations seem a long way distant now. The one
consolation for them was the thirty fourth run scored by Dave Hamilton on
Sunday, which took him to a magnificent 1000 for the season.
We all know it's never over
'til the fat lady sings, but those of us who journeyed back from a comfortable
first team victory Daisy Hill on Sunday to find the seconds at 92-9 chasing 142
against their nearest rivals, with Rob Meredith and Simon Fleming at the
crease, expected the band to strike up at any moment. Fifty two memorable runs
later, they did, with Pete Davies and his team toasting a memorable, if not
unlikely victory, with Simon Fleming smashing 41 and daddy-to-be Rob Meredith
the most important nine runs he has scored for a long time !!
Too Little Too Late
?.........BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND......The first XI's demise in the Cross Cup has
provided something of a fillip to their flagging fortunes with four maximum
point wins out of four since the final, but the championship flag is out of
reach with the gap still a massive 68 points with only five to play. Darcy
Lever became the latest fall guys going down to a nine wicket drubbing thanks
largely to Andy Griffiths who notched up another half century and four cheap
wickets to add icing to the cake The seconds didn't have it all their own
way for a change, but scraped home by two wickets to maintain a comfortable gap
at the top. AND it was as you were with the thirds as their depressing batting
form continued despite good looking line ups against Roe Green and Ashton St
James.
TRINITY TRIO FAIL TO HALT
BCL.The delight for the club in the selection of Dave Hamilton, Andy Griffiths
and Steve Holt for the Association XI to face the Bolton League in the Annual
Trinity Cup game was tempered by yet another defeat at the hands of our old
rivals
WELCOME HOME !!........The
second XI continued their form into the Isherwood cup final and brought home
the trophy for a second successive year. They continued their tradition of
chasing 200 plus and knocking them off with overs to spare as Elton posted 202-9
and the boys reached the target with over five overs left. It was the turn of
Danny Varney and then David Garner with an innings of 82 not out which League
Chairman John Charlson described as 'outstanding', to get the runs. Skipper
Pete Davies was elated at his team's all round performance and depth of talent.
The thirds let the weekend down with
yet another abject batting display as they failed to capitalise on a superb all
round bowling and fielding display which reduced Roe Green to 99 all out, by
succumbing for 84 of which Simon Riley scored 28.
Meanwhile, Saturday saw a double over
Atherton as the firsts at last returned to winning ways with a demolition job
by Dave Hamilton (6 for 22) as the Bag Lane Mob were reduced to 53 all out on a
decent wicket. He then followed up with 33no as a six wicket win was
registered. The second's equally impressive win makes the cup & league
double all the more attainable. One thing is certain - no one else can achieve
it!
Cup Final Winner takes Hat-Trick !!
Luke Mobey aged 9 takes 3 wickets in 3 balls for the Under 11's, in their
victory over Little Hulton.
Cross Cup Slump - The firsts
continued their miserable run with defeat in the 109th Cross Cup Final. It's going
to take something special now to rescue something from this disappointing
season. Only the batting form of man-of-the match Dave Hamilton was any
consolation as he continued his own personal purple patch which now sees him
approaching 800 runs at an average of well over 50.
Under 11's Cup Final Victory !!!!
Congratulations all round to Ian Morris's young cubs who claimed the Under 11's
Cup on Sunday morning with a superb 30 run victory over Blackrod. Clifton
batted first and accumulated a score of 266 thanks to some steady batting all
the way through the innings with everybody chipping in with runs. Only 1 wicket
was lost in the whole innings, a remarkable achievement. Clifton got off to a
flying start in the field with a wicket in the first over. Tight bowling all
round left Blackrod's last pair with a mountain to climb and they ended up 30
runs short of their total
wot a scorcher ! ! ! PITY ABOUT THE
CRICKET.. Seconds carry the flag with a superb victory, but firsts and
thirds flop again. A. & T. seconds' skipper Michael
Axford's comments during the tea interval when his side had posted 224-2, came
back to haunt him as Pete Davies and Paul Weir knocked off the runs with almost
five overs to spare. Meanwhile the firsts were undone by a good old 'un
and a good young 'un as evergreen Steve Walsh picked up six wickets and
sensational pro Bazid Khan took his season's total to 1006 with 92 as the
firsts were well beaten. The thirds found themselves staring at a total in
excess of 240 for the second game in a row, but did at least grab a consolation
point as Phil Royle knocked 60 and the unfortunate Grant Cordin fell one short
of his maiden half century.
"Form is temporary, class is
permanent" - they said it about Gower and now, after nearly two years Tony
Potter stepped up from the third team to alleviate a crisis of confidence in
the Jekyll and Hyde first XI and picked up five for forty seven against
lacklustre Adlington. This followed yet another dire performance against a
competent Golborne side in which only six points were accrued. Meanwhile the seconds
stay top with another max weekend.
Nobody dares mention it but the
decisive double over Atherton in the 1st and 2nd team cup competitions' semi
finals means that a first team / second team DOUBLE DOUBLE is now very much on
! (This despite a dire performance leading to a first defeat of the
season for the Jekyll & Hyde firsts against bogey side Standish in the
league). Has it ever been done before? Certainly not in the modern era. Go
for it boys!
JUNIORS..........Talk about
snatching defeat from the jaws of victory -- the under fifteens learned a hard
lesson against Longridge in the latest round of the Lancs Club Knockout when,
after being in charge for 39 overs, they conspired to throw it away in the last
one and go out. It's a hard game lads -- credit to Longridge though, they never
gave up!
There's a real father / son battle going
on at the Cricket Club this year with Andrew Griffiths currently a neck in
front of his dad Geoff, with 3 broken roof tiles to 1 !!! Local residents have
taken to the bunkers in fear of projectiles coming their way and one local
resident has been rumoured to have taken out a contract on the ultimate winner
!!
Covers have now been delivered to the Club and
have already proved their worth with a showery start to the season.
Andy Griffiths and Mark Gardener smashed
the 1stXI opening partnership record of 181 held by Phil Royle and David Critchley
by putting together an opening stand of 209 against Astley & Tyldesley
Collieries on the opening day of the season. The final total of 288-2 was only
seven short of the club's highest ever score of 295-8 against Alderley Edge on
May 11th 1901. Regrettably, the game ended in a draw as the weather and dogged
A & T batting meant they held out for 112-8 giving Clifton only 14 points
on the day. Andy Griffiths continued his incredible early season form with 152
not out but the unfortunate Mark Gardener fell to a catch at square leg on 96.
Next day it was Andy's turn to go it alone as he overtook Jack Edwards'
previous Clifton best of 163 by scoring 171 not out in the National Knockout
against Liverpool Nalgo.
The club's impressive list of
pre-season friendly games offered little in the way of clues as to how the team
might fare when the season gets under way.
experience does
highlight some frailty. On the bowling side there appears to be plenty in the
locker and the skipper does not need to switch his gaze too far around the
field before finding yet another competent bowler who is raring to perform. Add
to this the comparative weakness of the opposition and it is going to have to
be 'wait and see' when Astley and Tyldesley turn up for the first game.
We are sad to announce the death of Life Member Bob Critchley who passed
away in the early stages of the 2003 season. Bob was aged 93 and he
will be remembered for many things. His total disappearance into the conifer
hedge whilst trying to avoid a cricket ball will go down in
Clifton C.C are proud to unveil
the new club professional for the forthcoming 2003 season. Lee Wolstenholme
(34) will be joining us next season after leaving his home club of Middleton in
the Central Lancashire League. Lee is a slow left arm bowler who has taken 89
and 69 wickets respectively in the last two seasons. Lee is looking forward to
a new challenge in a new league and we all wish him well for the next season