Rochdale escape to victory to reach Wood Cup final

Photo: Alan Ryder

Rochdale vs Crompton - Wood Cup Semi-Final

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Rochdale beat Crompton by five runs yesterday at Glebe Street in a dramatic semi-final of the John Willie Lees Wood Cup.

In an amazing cup clash Crompton twice had the match seemingly won only to be let down by indiscipline which enabled Rochdale to somehow escape from jail.

And the emotion proved too much for a tearful Crompton captain Glen Dawson who had been hoping for a final swansong before retiring at the end of the season.

He said: “It is bitterly disappointing and it hurts so badly I find it hard to speak.

“We must have controlled 80% of the game only to be let down by a lack of discipline while batting, bowling and fielding.

“The attitude of the players was poor and they have to hold up their hands because until we find some discipline we will not win anything.

“As soon as we began to lose wickets, we began to panic and heads went down. We cannot close out a game.”

Rochdale captain Dominic Ayres admitted his side was lucky to claim their place in the final against Monton and Weaste who beat Unsworth in the second semi.

“It was nerve wracking and a real roller-coaster of a game in which we were dead and buried at one stage. We were up against it, but managed to get ourselves out of a hole.”

Crompton’s demise was down to the extraordinary events of two spells in a compelling cup clash.

Crompton looked to be in pole position after they reduced Rochdale, who had elected to bat, to 156 for nine in the 43rd over.

But instead of finishing the job they allowed man-of-the-match Ayres and Anthony Clough to share an unbroken 68-run stand for the final wicket as they finished at 224 for nine. While Clough contributed only one run, more importantly he held up one end so Ayres could attack from the other.

Opening-bat Ayres, who took until the 39th over to reach a painstakingly slow half century from 95 deliveries, suddenly let rip as he finished 120 not out, his highest-ever score in the CLL, as he scored his last 70 runs from only 42 balls such was his explosive hitting.

Ayres, who described it as his best-ever knock in the CLL, blasted 11 fours and four sixes with Aqib Zulfiqar taking the brunt of the punishment as his 10 overs cost 82 runs.

And as Zulfiqar was flayed to all parts of Glebe Street his discipline went as he bowled 12 wides and one no ball which effectively handed Rochdale an extra two overs. He even bowled a 12-ball over.

Crompton, who were far too charitable in the field, conceded 45 extras, including 33 wides, whereas Rochdale gave away just 13.

Umpires Les Chadwick and Nigel Tench also had to intervene as Zulfiqar was involved in heated exchanges with his team-mates as the players lost their cool as Rochdale raised the temperature.

Suddenly Crompton, needing 225 for victory, were up against it as in the space of less than 30 minutes the balance of play had tilted towards Rochdale.

That was by no means the end of the drama, however, as Crompton were to win and lose the match for a second time when they batted.

Crompton were cantering towards victory when they reached 179 for three in the 40th over, Mohammad Zaman Khan making 59 and opener Zulfiqar 43.

But in the space of five dramatic overs the game swung the way of Rochdale as Crompton capitulated to 184 for eight.

Rochdale professional Kash Weeraratna, a member of Sri Lanka’s recent Twenty20 World Cup squad, who had earlier claimed the prized scalp of Zaman Khan, removed dangerman Simon Wright who was trapped leg before for eight.

Steve Wright, overseas amateur Chris Boschoff and Majid Khan were run out consecutively as Crompton were punished for some suicidal decision-making.

Boschoff was the only player a tad unlucky as he was dismissed by a direct hit by 16-year-old Greg Butterworth after he had made 40.

Crompton were left needing 41 runs for victory with 40 balls left and two wickets standing.

Despite a swashbuckling 23 from Carl Taylor, including 16 runs from four consecutive balls off the bowling of Anthony Clough, Crompton fell just short.

They needed six off the last ball to win but Ryan Mayes failed to connect as the ball beat the bat and ended in the hands of wicket-keeper Dean Tweddle.