Cricket: Norden reach reduced target at Church

Norden had to settle for 10 points from their JW Lees Lancashire League match at Church on Sunday (18 August).

The home side was restricted to a 50 overs total of 135 for nine, Norden being unable to snatch the last wicket which would have given them an extra two bonus points.

Due to a break for rain Norden's target was reduced to 120, then another break meant they had to score 81 in the reduced overs which they did, just, to win.

The early part of the game belonged to Norden's bowling attack of Jake Sandham and Chris Humphreys.

Sandham blew away the Church top order with the help of two catches from Dominic Humphreys, one from Joe Humphreys, and one from Lee Crabtree.

Church were left reeling at 36 for five.

Sandham bowled 15 overs and had figures of five for 19. Chris Humphreys didn’t pick up a wicket, but his 13 overs cost only 23 runs.

With half the Church side out Norden’s skipper Hashum Malik turned to spin.

Wickets continued to fall, but Church offered some resistance through Craig Fergusson (34 not out ) and Waqas Ahmed (30) to reach 135.

Greg Butterworth (2), Joe Humphreys and Dominic Humphreys took the other wickets to fall after Sandham’s burst.

Norden made a reasonable start to the reply but then found themselves on 58 for five as the run chase hotted up.

It was left to Josh Tolley to secure the win with an unbeaten 30 off 28 balls, and a quickfire five off six from Lee Crabtree.

Church

S Crabtree c D Humphreys b Sandham 10
J Scully c D Humphreys b Sandham 3
JP Gaskill b Sandham 15
M Adams c Crabtree b Sandham 0
L Wolfenden c J Humphreys b Sandham 2
C Ferguson not out 34
P Gilrane b Butterworth 9
JW Gaskill c Butterworth b J Humphreys 6
W Ahmed b D Humphreys 30
L Dyson b Butterworth 0
S Tucker not out 2
Extras 24
Total (for 9 wkts) 135
Bowling: Sandham 15-8-19-5; C Humphreys 13-6-23-0; J Humphreys 6-0-25-1; Butterworth 10-0-44-2; D Humphreys 6-1-15-1.

Norden

J Humphreys c and b Adams 14
S Bhojani c Fergusson b Adams 18
J Sandham lbw Adams 1
H Fitton st Tucker b Gilrane 4
J Tolley not out 30
H Malik c Dyson b Adams 2
L Crabtree not out 5
Extras 7
Total (for 5 wkts) 81
Bowling: Wolfenden 5-1-11-0; Ahmed 4-0-27-0; JW  Gaskill 5-1-10-0; Adams 7-3-21-4; Gilrane 2-0-10-1.