Norden CC v Heywood CC

Norden boosted their Lake Garage Central Lancashire League title hopes with a home win over Heywood on Sunday (25 July 2010)

Star men were Nick Brierley who scored 75 in Norden's all out total of 206, and Ollie Makin who spun his way to seven wickets as Heywood collapsed to 126 all out.

One of Makin's victims was top batsman Bobby Cross who had scored 26 when he shouldered arms to a delivery from Makin and turned to see the stumps rattled by a ball which turned sharply.

Makin bowled four of his victims in all as he and Chris Humphreys skipped through the Heywood batsmen to take wickets at regular intervals after professional Michael Price had set the ball rolling by taking the first wicket.

Norden's fielding was top order, and Greg Tattersall took two vital catches at short leg to dismiss Steve Wallwork and visiting professional Raja Bhattia.

Earlier in the day Norden had made a good start only to suffer a collapse.

Michael Price scored 34, Nick Brierley hit 75 and Dexter Fitton contributed 40, but three run outs blighted the innings.

From being 164 for three The Stags all too quickly found themselves on
172 for eight, Curtis Maguire doing most of the damage as he worked his way to figures of five for 64.

Chris Humphreys (12 not out) and Matt Buckley (17) scored late runs to boost the home total.

As it happened those extra runs were not needed as Makin wove his way to seven for 62, figures which would have been much better but for Andy Dawson having a late swing which made him second top Heywood scorer on 23.