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10th - Werneth’s hopes of a double dose of revenge for the earlier league and cup tie defeats came “close, but no cigar” as the firsts made it six of the best against the Oldham side. The games were both nail bitingly close affairs, but in the final analysis, it was ‘virgin’ centuries from Hendro Puchert (127 no), dispelling his disappointment of 97 for the firsts last week and new boy Darren King (128) recovering from his niggling injury for the seconds, which ensured victory was achieved for both sides.

At Werneth, the firsts struggled to master the home side’s batting on a good track with the quicker bowlers again finding the going tough as they posted a challenging 250-5 at tea. The normally reliable top order then folded in spectacular fashion as Werneth ripped through to leave the innings in tatters at 14-4. Adam Rodzoch then stuck around with Hendro to take the score to 58 before Ian Morris joined the professional in a stand of 150 which turned the game on it’s head. A mini-collapse saw Ian, Mubeen Akhtar and Greg Jennings succumb leaving the pro and skipper Liam Dorsey to secure the win with two balls to spare leaving Werneth with a season’s third successive defeat, despite scoring a remarkable 750 runs against our 1^st XI in the three ties.

It was a remarkably similar story in the seconds as Rob Meredith found himself, for the second match in a row, coming in at his customary number 11 with scores tied. This time, a nervous couple of overs culminated in a push into midwicket for the win. Earlier, the visitors had recovered from 12-4 to post 246 with Stephen Thorpe taking 6-62, before the Clifton reply took the score to 170-4 with 20 overs left. When Sam Towers (36) went, the rest of the middle and later order struggled to stick around, but with the calming influence of Darren King at the other end they clawed their way to the final Meredith style finale.

With all the excitement going on in the Werneth ties, the third’s comfortable win at East Lancashire Paper Mills went almost unnoticed. Phil Royle (61) and Jack Unwin (41) provided an opening platform for a total of 191-7 on a dusting wicket which was far too many for the home side who were 77 all out with Andy Lord relinquishing his batsman role of last week to take 5-35.

9th - Unsworth were comfortably dispatched in the Friday evening gloom to secure a quarter final T20 berth against Heywood on July 16th. It was a solid all-round performance in the field which restricted the home side to 119 all out with Adam Rodzoch finishing off with two wickets in two balls and skipper Liam Dorsey following up his five victims last week with six as darkness descended, despite an Unsworth recovery from 70-7. However, it was never a challenging total despite the early loss of Chris Lord as Andy Griffiths (46) and Hendro created a nine per over platform for Alex Rodzoch and Dean Morris to cruise in with three overs remaining.

11th - The Warburton’s Cup, awarded annually to the winners 2^nd XI inter league challenge between the CLL and the Bolton League, went to the CLL again on Sunday. Led by Ian Morris, the CLL posted 280-5 at Manchester Road and that proved out of the reach of our neighbouring league who were all out for 216. Ian is pictured with the trophy.

Pic: Hendro still searches for a ton as he edges to the keeper on 97.

3rd - The Wood Cup defeat at the hands of Littleborough was avenged on Saturday. Manchester Road was witness to yet another 500+ run fest with Andy Hough defying the conditions and continuing his personal purple patch by taking six wickets including the prize wicket of Littleborough professional Clinton Perrin yet again and Liam Dorsey weighing in with five victims behind the stumps. With Hendro, still searching for that elusive century, falling for 97 and a half century for Andy Griffiths, 266-5 proved to be out of the reach of Littleborough. Dean Morris showed his increasing comfort in the first XI making it 100+ in his last two innings and looking at ease in making 43 as the batsmen never let the momentum slip even when wickets fell. Once again the quicker bowlers found the conditions taxing and it wasn’t until Magic Mo and Andy dropped into a groove that the game swung our way.

The seconds shaped better and came away from the hills with an exciting tie. In a game which swung this way and that, Ian Davidson’s five wicket haul and Paul Edwards’ half century just failed to secure a second Cup exit revenge mission as the scores were tied on 163,163-9. The home side set off at a rate of knots and at 85-0 and 120-2 the situation looked ominous, but evergreen Ian plus Ollie Dunn and Chris Higgs dragged the game around.

Pic: Adam Holt guides the ball through mid-on for a boundary.

The thirds emulated the seconds and made it two ties out of three for the weekend in a stunning game of cricket at Saddleworth on Sunday. The home side thought they had it won at 182-1 off 30 overs after an opening stand of 175, but the youthful Clifton side had different ideas as they first prevented the hosts from increasing the run rate and then tempted them to declare two overs early on 267-4. Geoff Griffiths (48) and Adam Holt (66) then whittled away at the big total at over six an over and when Andrew Lord came in down the order and blasted 64, the impossible seemed on. Other players chipped in and got out leaving the last legs together as the scores edged level with Andy Lord on strike, but a memorable victory was thwarted as he was victim to a smart piece of stumping with two balls remaining in a game that few who played in it will quickly forget.

MORE JULY 2 & 3 PICS

Dean acknowledges his first 1^st XI half century.

Hendro is dropped, but sadly it didn’t prove too expensive a miss for Norden

27^th - High fliers Norden took maximum points from the first and second XI encounters in the stifling temperatures of Saturday, despite an unbeaten maiden 50 by Dean Morris, another six wicket haul for Andy Hough and an unbeaten 81 for Chris Thorpe in the seconds. It was a different story on Sunday for the firsts as an earlier league defeat and a losing ‘tie’ in the T20 were reversed, but the seconds managed only 100 for the second week in succession and were well beaten.

The firsts encounter with 2^nd placed Norden did not turn out the same way as the season’s earlier win over table toppers Rochdale at a hot and muggy Manchester Road. On a high quality batting track supported by an outfield on which two yards either side of a fielder mean four runs, skipper Glenn Bullock, though suffering from the effects of the heat at tea, was happy with the 231 posted by Norden thanks largely to Andy Hough’s six wicket haul. However, the batting showed some uncharacteristic flaws as the early order fell away in the face of some tight bowling. In the end, even the bonus point disappeared agonisingly one run short as Andy Hough failed to follow up his bowling excellence with a second successive lbw. In between there was an important milestone for Dean Morris who compiled an effortless maiden 50 which bodes well for the future. He followed that up with a decent supporting innings on Sunday as, in a re-jigged batting order, Hendro, batting at four, provided the backbone a match winning 75. The 209 posted was too much for the home team who succumbed for 129 with spin doctors Mo Akhtar (4-32) and Andy Hough again doing the damage.

The seconds passed the 200 mark on Saturday thanks to Chris Thorpe’s welcome return to the team, but again the bowlers found the batsman friendly conditions too taxing and Norden returned to the dressing room with the points. It was worse still on Sunday with Ian Morris steaming almost literally in the heat at the lack of application, or should it be lack of confidence, in the batting. Sometimes when confidence is low, batsmen appear to play rash shots when, in effect, it’s purely a case of nerves. Shorn of the services of Ollie Dunn, the batting looked fragile and, with only 100 to defend, the bowlers were on a hiding to nothing as 17 overs proved enough for Radcliffe.

With players missing from the firsts and seconds, the thirds did well to get eleven players on the park against a strong Prestwich side. Phil Royle, normally a thorn in the side of the Prestwich bowlers, was confined to scoring duties nursing an injured leg, but saw his young fledglings do well in the field to bowl out the home side for 203 with under 13s Chris Royle and Dean Davies plus debutant Matty Dunn all taking decent catches; the latter removing a disconsolate batsman who was on 97. Batting proved a bridge too far however as the young side was battered into an embarrassing 18-8. Resolute late order contributions turned that into a more respectable 66 all out on a day when the Football Association weren’t the only ones to learn some hard lessons. NORDEN 1^ST XI PHOTOFILE

Former professional Mark Price turned up on Saturday and chewed the fat about Bolton Association championships won and lost with Geoff and Phil. The other half of the Price / Potter combination was around as well, but had sadly left before this photo opportunity took place.

20^th - The fact that, at 7pm the firsts were still clinging on to the last vestiges of hope in the Wood Cup game at Littleborough was a great credit to Glenn’s revitalised team as, at 2-15pm, with the score on 25-5, the game was as good as over. However, the lads showed immense tenacity to make a game of it as Dean Morris and Adam Rodzoch responded with a fifty partnership and then Mubeen Akhtar and Liam Dorsey took the score beyond the 100 mark to finish on 138; very nearly using up the full fifty overs. Then when Hendro snapped up Littleborough’s overseas player in the first over and Greg Jennings had a unanimous appeal for a catch behind turned down, the home side, for the first time, looked a wee bit rattled. Then in stepped Andy Hough to find turn and bounce and snap up four quick wickets including the prize scalp of 1000 run maker Clinton Perrin. Littleborough dug deep and, despite a nine over period in which four only leg side wides were added to the score, the victory which had seemed inevitable came about as they crossed the finish line with five wickets to spare.

The seconds defeat in defence of the Burton Cup, took a different turn altogether as Ollie Dunn (5-23) helped reduce Littleborough to 149-9 at Manchester Road. That was the end of the success however as a fifty partnership for the last wicket took the score to 200 at tea and left the home team disappointed. Having said that, with the sun blazing down and the strongest side of the season available and with almost 600 runs being scored on an adjacent wicket the day before, it may have been a score for which Ian Morris would have settled at 1-30pm against the side lying second in the table. The somewhat fragile batting had one of it’s off days however as the strange lack of confidence in a batting line up brimming with talent came to a head again and, though Ian Morris battled away bravely, he saw partners come and go as the score just managed to reach three figures.

So, it’s a Lancashire Knockout place and a T20 success for the firsts to aim for whilst the seconds must play for pride and a change in form which could bring about a success in the last six competition – but that’s still half a summer away!

Pic – Dean digs in

More Pics – Wood Cup 2010

Wood Cup 2010 lower quality for dial up and slower broadband here

19^th - Werneth’s double defeat in the cup competitions was repeated in the league fixtures on Saturday as both firsts and seconds came out on top. Andy Griffiths scored his second century against Werneth in a nail biting game as the firsts successfully chased down a daunting 285-4 to win by two wickets. With the wicket holding few demons for the batsmen and the outfield like lightning, anyone with a modicum of technique could retain their wicket, but to chase down such a big total shows the resilience of the side. Almost every batsman came to the crease and supported Andy Griffiths with quick runs with the only down point being that nobody could actually stick around and ease the nail biting. An opening stand of 96 in 16 overs provided the platform which reached it’s conclusion when ‘magic’ Mo crashed two fours in the last over to steal the points.

The joy didn’t end there as the the seconds grabbed a much needed five points at Werneth to boost confidence ahead of the defence of the Burton Cup. Impressive Danny Hill enhanced his growing reputation with 5-24 as the seconds restricted the hosts to 144. Having set only 169, the side knew that they had their work cut out at tea time and without Ian Morris’ patient and eventually match winning half century, it could have been a lot worse. However, the bowlers and fielders dug deep to bring about a first win for several weeks.

Pic – Hendro cuts for four, but edged to the keeper next ball. MORE PICS

13^th - The firsts propelled themselves to within a single win of fourth place after a fourth straight win, discounting the washout at Oldham. After dismissing Unsworth for 149, Hendro Puchert followed up his three wicket haul with an unbeaten 75 to secure all five points for the visitors in a six wicket victory. A win against Werneth, who have already been beaten in the Wood Cup, in next week’s fixture, could see the team into the Lancashire Knockout places. The win also put the icing on the cake after a battling T20 local derby win against Monton & Weaste. The visitors thought they had it won when they set 150 and then reduced the firsts to 70-7, but the cock-a-hoop fielders were silenced by an old head and a good young ‘un as Glenn Bullock and Dean Morris knocked off the runs with two balls to spare.

The seconds’ season took another denting as, having set a competitive 196, they were defeated with around fifteen overs still remaining. The positives were that a number of batsmen contributed to the total and Chris Higgs bowled a good opening spell, but the Unsworth opener became the first to clear the new fence in his match winning century as the side went down to a heavy defeat. The thirds seem to make a habit of taking severely weakened sides to the Lancaster Club, home of Roytonians CC until the end of this season when the complex is earmarked to become Oldham Athletic’s new stadium. So it proved again, but a number of them showed their burgeoning talents after Geoff Griffiths and Phil Royle both scored thirties to give a platform. Pick of the bunch was Sam Brown who’s 31 not out included a maiden six, but also included some excellent ground shots. The total of 182-7 always looked in reach of the powerful home side however, and so it proved as they ran out five wicket winners.

Mubeen Akhtar completed the most unusual of hat – tricks on Saturday by taking a wicket with the first ball of his spell against Unsworth. Having taken the last two Milnrow wickets in successive deliveries the week before, Magic Mo can quite rightly claim a hat-trick. However, claiming the match ball presents a bit of a problem !!

6^th - Handy Andy Hough and Magic Mo Akhtar reduced Milnrow to tatters on Saturday with a display of tandem spin bowling that brought back memories of Potter and Price in their pomp.

Milnrow arrived with a big reputation having won nine out of ten completed games this season and they started like the in-form side they were despite the best efforts of Hendro Puchert and Adam Rodzoch who toiled manfully to keep the prolific opening pair in check. That all changed with the introduction of the spin twins who were virtually unplayable on a wicket which undoubtedly held the advantage for the batsmen. Once the removal of the openers and the professional were achieved with 103 on the board, the unstoppable pair ripped through the bemused middle and late order to send them back into the tea interval with only 118 on the board. Houghy bowled his 15 overs for just 25 runs and captured five victims. The other five went to Magic Mo in 12 overs for just 24 runs. Hendro then stepped in to complete the rout with an unbeaten 59 despite a couple of scares and the eight wicket win, described by skipper GB as the best he’d seen during his time at CCC was confirmed.

The seconds were unable to build on a terrific century partnership between Ollie Dunn and Adam Holt who returned to form with a deserved half century to rescue the side from 20-3 after Sam Cullen, Ian Morris and Jamie Royle disappeared into the pavilion. However, the final total of 190 wasn’t enough on a benign wicket at Milnrow and the home side got home comfortably by five wickets.

PIC – Up it goes as Mo’s LBW appeal is answered in the affirmative. More pics A B C D E F G

On Sunday, the 3^rd team’s Rochdale jinx reached new depths of cruelty as the weakened side gave up what seemed an unassailable position in the Hodson Cup. Having failed yet again to bat out the overs, the bowlers were asked to defend 118 and with Ian Davidson (5-13) finding turn and bounce and the other bowlers and fielders giving great support with catches and stops in the field, the hosts were dead and buried at 78-9. Then the curse returned with a bang as Geoff Griff bowled the last man with a no-ball and the last pair proceeded to bat like openers to win the game with the highest partnership of the match.

The T20 game at Radcliffe ended in defeat on Friday in the sort of game that T20 was invented for; one that ends in last ball mayhem !!

Sadly, if Liam Dorsey and Ollie Dunn hadn’t tried to scamper a winning run and been run out, we would have won by virtue of the tied game going to the side losing fewer wickets. As it was, wickets lost were also equal and the countback to ten overs saw Radcliffe edge it.

MAY

31^st - Hendro proved that he is coming to terms with CLL bowling conditions on Sunday as he followed up last week’s ten wicket weekend with a five wicket haul against Ashton. However it took a match winning innings of 84 from last week’s centurion Andy Griffiths to ensure that the points came our way after another worrying collapse after he and Hendro (40) put on 97 for the first wicket. A rare failure for Alex Rodzoch was followed up by first ballers for the two Adams, Holt and Rodzoch and a fairly pointless run out for skipper Glenn Bullock. However coolness personified Chris Lord stepped into the hero role, calming the nerves with three boundaries in three balls to win the game. (pic – winning hit in the gloom)

	Earlier, the firsts had had the best possible start when Hendro removed Lovell with the third ball of the innings and then followed up with a second wicket to leave the visitors reeling on 21-2. Adam Rodzoch then dismissed Ashton professional Jamiel without scoring before a middle order recovery took Ashton to 177-9; not being all out in itself becoming something of an achievement, having lost their sixth wicket with 26 overs remaining. However, the opening partnership proved decisive and took the firsts to a third successive victory, Saturday’s wash-out at Oldham notwithstanding. The seconds’ misery continued despite a good performance in the field under the stewardship of Steve Thorpe, which saw the hosts dismissed for 128. However, there the good news ended as the visitors tossed away the prospect of a close finish to collapse to 103 all out.

The third team’s game against Rochdale on Bank Holiday Monday went pretty much the way they’ve gone in the last decade against the capital B of bogey sides. Having set a less than adequate 116 to win, in which Ian Davidson (pic) top scored with 32, Lady Luck once again went against the 3rds as edges fell just short of fielders, lofted shots dropped into spaces and catches went down resulting in a five wicket defeat. Revenge is on the cards next Sunday as the two sides renew acquaintances in the Hodson Cup.

23^rd - Hendro Puchert grabbed seven wickets as the firsts got max points at Royton on Saturday and then made it ten for the weekend after clean bowling the first two batsmen and then hitting the stumps for a third time in the Wood Cup win at Werneth.

After setting the hosts 185 to win, the pro ripped through the home team’s batting for a comfortable 60+ run win and a first victory in four. However, the seconds went down to another demoralising defeat at home to Royton. 154 was never going to be enough, despite 62 from skipper Ian Morris who deserved better support than he got, from all except Steve Thorpe, as the visitors cruised to victory by eight wickets. Better then, to concentrate on a great victory in the Burton Cup on Sunday when Werneth last wicket partnership of 51 must have got the nerves jangling again as this took the visitors past the 200 mark. However, Adam Holt (24) and Paul Edwards (27) steadied the nerves with an opening 44 and then run machine and John Willie Lees man-of-the match Ian Morris (84no) and Ollie Dunn (51no) pieced together a match winning stand of 106 to claim a much needed win.

In the Wood Cup, the Jekyll and Hyde first XI were also the victims of a stubborn last wicket stand, this time a mammoth 85. However, it proved to be no more than a minor annoyance as the 303-8 posted after winning the toss proved more than enough. Andy Griffiths, playing one of those swashbuckling innings we saw so many of a few years back, launched himself into the Werneth attack after a steady start by his standards, before running out of steam with a full 14 overs remaining having pieced together a John Willie Lees man-of-the match winning 125. He then left the rest of the batting to add another 100 runs in the remaining overs and they all chipped in to finish over the 300 finish line. Werneth were never in the hunt after Hendro struck early; almost removing the Werneth opener first ball (pic above) when he shouldered arms when only half forward to provoke an unsuccessful appeal which nonetheless shook the umpire to his boots. 122-4 then became 130-9 as Alex Rodzoch ripped out the middle order with four quick wickets aided and abetted by Andy Hough and Dean Morris. Cue the last wicket stand which took the hosts on to 215 and the visitors to a second round tie at Littleborough on June 20^th.

The thirds made it three wins out of five with a seven wicket win at Fothergill & Harvey. Two under 13s in Dean Davies and Harry Southern, made their debuts in the game and Dave Jennings was again tempted out of retirement. 13 year old Chris Royle also made his wicket-keeping debut and produced a competent display, however, it was dad Phil who scored the match winning 77 in the successful 155 run chase.

Photo Montage – Wood Cup in the sun

Photo Montage – “Our Day Out” with the thirds in th’ills

22^nd – Bolton Wanderers’ goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen made a visit to the club today and posed for photographs with some of the children. Click on the miniatures to see them full sized.

16^th - Perennial thorn in the side Bobby Cross, showed a whole plethora of batsmen from both sides how to (a) build an innings, (b) dig your side out of trouble and (c) win a cricket match as Heywood puffed and spluttered their way to a four wicket win at Manchester Road. Batting first, the Clifton early and middle order had normally placid Club President Phil Royle turning purple and grimacing “Just bat, that’s all they need to do, just bat”. Bat they didn’t as some of the shot selections made it look as though some were intent on watching the turgidity of the FA Cup Final. Some sense returned as the late and very late order batted with some common sense and moved the score on to somewhere near respectability at 149. Then when Adam Rodzoch and Hendro Puchert reduced the visitors to 18-3, it was ‘game on’. However, Cross didn’t see it that way and, despite losing partners, his presence was always the key to the game as it proved when he hit the winning run to finish 77 not out.

It was a similar story for the seconds; in fact remarkably similar as they too were all out for 149. “Poor shot selection” was Ian Morris’ verdict and as above, only the tail prevented total humiliation with Andy Lord (25) and Rob Meredith (14) adding 38 for the last wicket. Earlier, Ollie Dunn (pic) had contributed a very creditable 5-52, but he couldn’t prevent Heywood rattling up 236.

Defeat was the order of the day for the thirds as well, but there were more positives to take from the game which ended in an agonising 1 run defeat. A team which boasted nine home grown players did well to restrict Greenmount to 172-9 on a benign wicket with every bowler chipping in with wickets, the pick being Danny Hill’s 3-29. The senior statesman of the home grown players then took centre stage as Phil Royle (59) built a decent platform with Scott Bradley (20) and Tom Hubber (18). Matthew Tye (pic) then took over the skipper’s mantle with 42no but, two run outs in the last over completed a second miserable weekend for the club.

Dave Hamilton

Eddie Shah

Qaiser Malik in his Clifton days

9^th - Three Clifton ‘old boys’ came back to haunt the first eleven at the weekend as a double winning bank holiday weekend was turned into double defeat. First local rivals Monton & Weaste demolished a pretty dismally performing side on Saturday in Eccles. Former Cliftoner David Hamilton followed up his century last year with five wickets for 38 to follow up his 43 runs in the home side’s 216-7 in which Alex Rodzoch nipped in at the end with 3-4. In reply, the visitors batting crumbled to 152 all out, ten short of even managing a bonus point. On Sunday Radcliffe smashed a procession of bowlers to all parts of Clifton in amassing 271-8 with old boy Qaiser Malik chipping in with 43 not out. Only Andy Hough emerged with any credit with 3-49 off 13 overs. The final familiar face in the form of Shadar ‘Eddie’ Shah then entered the fray and the old head who could barely struggle to the wicket due to injuries during his time at Clifton, bowled 24 overs unchanged uphill, returning figures of 7-96. It was not all one-sided though as both Hendro Puchert (51) and Alex Rodzoch (59) scored half centuries and Glenn Bullock, after smashing Shah for six off his first ball, scored 35 in 18 balls. However, a couple of six to eight over lulls during the innings made the task too much and the 510 run bonanza ended with a 32 run defeat.

The seconds had a shocking weekend again, coming off worst in an exciting game at Manchester Road on Saturday and being overwhelmed embarrassingly by 135 runs on Sunday. Tallat Chaudhry, having decided that leaving Clifton for pastures new was not such a good idea, returned to take 6-73, but the bowling attack in general lacked any bite and was crying out for a spinner to break up the procession of medium pacers. Despite conceding 226, the side were happy at tea as, at one stage the visitors from Monton looked on course for 300. Paul Edwards got the reply under way but the middle order failed to support him until Liam Holt, having been horribly dropped whilst in single figures, recovered his composure to smash 71. Wickets fell at vital times however and the 12 run defeat seemed inevitable in the end. Sunday’s tie at Radcliffe is best condemned to the unwanted history pile as Radcliffe piled up 238-6 and the seconds responded with just 103.

2^ND - One innings dominated the 1sts match with Rochdale on Saturday and fortunately that innings was played by Hendro Puchert. On a green wicket, Adam Rodzoch (pic) tore into the Rochdale batting line up reducing them to 55-5 and 75-7 before late order grit propelled the home side to 122 all out with eight overs still remaining. Mubeen Akhtar snapped up three late wickets but it was Adam Rodzoch’s five wickets for twenty two runs which caught the eye. Andy Griffiths lost his leg stump early in the reply but at 56-1 and 90-3, things looked comfortable. Cue the great Clifton collapse which saw the scoreboard slip dismally to 93-6 before Hendro took up the mantle and scored his third successive half century; this time unbeaten, as a four wicket win was secured.

CLL 1^ST XI	P	OW	LW	D	T	L	LP	Pts
Norden	4	4	0	0	0	0	0	20
Radcliffe	4	3	1	0	0	0	0	19
Rochdale	4	3	0	0	0	1	0	15
Milnrow	4	1	2	0	0	1	0	13
Clifton	4	2	0	1	0	1	1	13
Crompton	4	2	0	1	0	1	0	12
Littleborough	4	0	2	2	0	0	0	12
Werneth	4	1	1	1	0	1	0	11
Heywood	4	1	0	1	0	2	1	8
Middleton	4	1	0	1	0	2	1	8
Unsworth	4	1	0	1	0	2	0	7
Oldham	4	1	0	0	0	3	1	6
Walsden	4	0	0	2	0	2	2	6
Monton & Weaste	4	0	0	2	0	2	1	5
Royton	4	0	0	0	0	4	2	2
Ashton	4	0	0	0	0	4	1	1

On Sunday, spin was king as the Walsden spin pair reduced the side to 165 all out on a 200+ wicket. It could have been worse as the middle order fell away yet again after Chris Lord (39) set up a decent platform. However, Dean Morris (29 not out) gritted it out and received support from the lower order in partnerships which, in the final analysis, proved to be match winning. Our own spin twins Akhtar and Hough, may sound like a bad chest infection, but they proved to be the lungs of the fight-back taking the first nine Walsden wickets and finishing with 3-56 and 6-44 respectively as Walsden slipped to 142 all out.

The seconds haven’t quite got into gear this season, having been shorn of a number of players from last year and, despite last week’s win, and they slipped to a heavy defeat having failed by some margin to reach three figures on Saturday. Perennial number 11 Rob Meredith equal top scored with 15 as 39-6 became 83 all out and Rochdale plundered the required runs in just short of 13 overs. It was a slightly better picture on Sunday, but the game nevertheless ended in defeat. Walsden amassed 198 having recovered from 148-7 with Danny Hill and Ollie Dunn taking four wickets apiece and then the reply got nicely into gear at 152-4 with Paul Edwards scoring a classy 67 in a partnership of 95 with Sam Towers (37), but the response fell away as the last six wickets disappeared for just 30 runs.

The 3rds staged a remarkable comeback against Littleborough on Monday, with the youngsters taking the batting plaudits and the senior citizens the bowling.

Chris Thorpe, Andy Lord and Tom Hubber were the batting heroes as the early order succumbed placing the home side in a perilous position. They hauled the score around to 154 when 100 looked like the most that could be hoped for at one stage. Littleborough then raced to 92-0 at over 6 an over before a couple of over fifties stepped in and destroyed the remainder of the Littleborough batting with an eleven run win the unlikely outcome. For the record, 54 yr old Geoff Griffiths took 5-16 and 55 yr old Steve Eccles, 5-34.

24^th The third XI had the best of the weekend’s weather and used it to good effect with a resounding nine wicket win over near neighbours Farnworth SC and the seconds also managed to beat the weather and Crompton comprehensively. However, it was the firsts who bore the brunt of the weather, at the same time entering the season’s first controversy as, again, interpretation of the rules differed between players and officials and the game was abandoned with Crompton on 17-1.

A month ago Chris Higgs (pictured) was returning to complete his career at his hometown club Monton and Weaste, but a welcome change of heart has brought immediate reward as he ripped out seven Crompton batsmen in a devastating couple of spells. Rob Meredith, Danny Hill and Ollie Dunn also chipped in as the home side were dismissed for 60 and the runs were knocked off for just three wickets with evergreen Paul Edwards top scoring.

On Saturday, Farnworth were restricted to 143 all out with 12 overs remaining on a good wicket. Jack Barton chipped away at the middle order to finish with 3-36, before Dean Morris (74 not out) and Adam Holt (67) guided the thirds to victory by nine wickets with nineteen overs in the locker.

14^th – South African Professional Hendro Puchert, touched down at Manchester Airport mid morning after a gruelling long haul flight from Johannesburg. Despite being greeted at terminal 2 by ‘beaming’ Bill Dorsey, he didn’t try to get back on the plane and is now safely ensconced in Clifton. To mark his arrival, the club is putting on a "Welcome Do" on Friday the 16th April at 8:00. This will give both Junior and Senior players and other members, the opportunity of meeting Hendro and saying hello. The evening will be supplemented by a Curry and possibly some entertainment. All members (both Senior and Junior) are welcome

11^th – National Knockout v Morecambe On a wicket described by Morecambe opening bat Mark Woodhead as the best April wicket he’d seen, the firsts lost the National KO first round tie to the penultimate ball of an enthralling contest.

After winning the toss and batting, Chris Lord went early, but a superb partnership of 150 plus between Andy Griffiths and Alex Rodzoch put the side in a strong position. However, the run chase puffed and spluttered it’s way to a disappointing conclusion as 180-1 became 227-6 after the 45 overs.

In reply Morecambe didn’t appear untroubled until they needed to accelerate at which point the bowling and fielding stepped up a gear and at 179-6 with only five overs left the home side appeared in charge. However, Morecambe’s lower order had more in it’s locker than we did and in a thrilling finale, the four needed for victory came off the penultimate ball.

However, all agreed that it had been a terrific work out for the firsts and there were a lot of positives to be taken from the game.

7^th Bolton Association stalwart Jim Taylor has died at the age of 77. Apart from being a lovely feller, Jim had a 50-year love affair with the Bolton Association and Astley and Tyldesley Cricket Club. He played for A&T and was a club official, filling the roles of chairman and secretary. When he finished playing for A&T he took up umpiring and became one of the top officials in the Association. He umpired the final of the Association’s Cross Cup Final in 1997 between our First XI and Darcy Lever at Atherton.

4th The club “fettler” Tom Morris is home after his difficult operation and is tired but on the mend. He asked that thanks be recorded to the many people who have send cards, made telephone calls and sent good wishes for his recovery.

1^st Griff and Greg – no, not a new comedy duo (allegedly) but a returning pair of cricketers in the form of Andy Griffiths and Greg Jennings who are returning to the club after stints elsewhere. Welcome home boys!

28th Many thanks to everybody who took part in the annual Cricket Force weekend on Saturday and Sunday. Weather conditions were certainly healthier on Saturday when the bulk of the volunteer's enjoyed a good day on the ground and were well fed and watered by Joyce, Maria and Kelly Morris. Sunday saw fewer volunteers and a much colder day ! Some of the jobs completed included new light fittings around the club house, Toilets in the function room spruced up, paths swept and weeded, edging stones painted, nets put in place, net area wickets rolled, fence trimmed, covers assembled, changing room painted, ground cut, sightscreens painted, flower beds weeded and many more other jobs completed.

30^th There were some strong applications for the position and the committee had a difficult job, but the club are pleased to announce that Gary Kenny has been appointed as the club Groundsman for the forthcoming season. Gary has had nine years previous experience at Northern Cricket Club in the Liverpool Competition and we wish him all the best for the forthcoming season.  

7^th Senior fixtures are posted. 3rd XI have a couple of changes after the fixtures meeting – see fixtures page.

10^th The dates for the group stages of the T20 competition have been added to the first XI fixtures on the fixtures page. They include a two-week gap to avoid World Cup games

21^st 2010 professional Hendro Puchert will fly into Heathrow on April 14^th provided that his visa is approved and granted.

25^th The club’s management committee have rubber stamped a new membership scheme which includes the carrying of a credit card sized membership card at all times. This will have to be produced at the bar in order to buy drinks at club prices. There will be benefits attached to membership (aside from lower prices) which will be advertised on table notices shortly. In light of the current economic climate the committee have also held back the recent brewery increases in prices and reduced the match fee for full time students and job seekers. All other membership categories will remain the same.

3^rd - HENDRO’S HAPPY NEW YEAR MESSAGE

Hi Clifton CC Cricketers and fans.

Happy New Year to all of you.

I can't wait for the season that lies ahead. Make it our Resolution to practice hard, and prepare ourselves for a season full of wins and trophies.

..Regards Hendro Puchert

5^th - Indoor Nets for Seniors Cricketers will commence at Bolton Indians indoor centre on Tuesday January 19^th at 8pm.

16^th Hendro’s mid season break is over and he’s back in action for Free State.

18^th - Fancy a nice trip to the seaside to start the season off?....... Tough – we’ve drawn Morecambe at home in the National Knockout 2010.

19^th - Indoor cricket practice started at the Bolton Indian Indoor Centre on Tuesdays from January 19^th at 7pm (Juniors) and 8pm (Seniors). New and prospective members welcome.