Bamford lose unbeaten record to Royton

Bamford Fieldhouse Cricket Club

Bamford’s unbeaten run was halted at Royton’s Paddock ground by a side who both outplayed and out-enthused them.

Royton batted first and although they did not race away, Dalziel, 17, and Needham, 16, picked up singles and twos to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

After making a watchful start, Hirst then blasted three 6s and two 4s before he was bowled by Ahmed Nawaz for 32. The second highest scorer for the home side was extras (23) as Bamford continued to give away runs with some wild bowling and lackadaisical fielding.

The target of 101 looked well within Bamford’s compass but accurate bowling from Needham, Taylor-Maw and Dalziel saw wickets fall at regular intervals and in the end Bamford came up short by 6 runs when Smith-Butler had to retire on 50 with no other batsman available to come in.

Bamford are now joint top of their group with Shaw and have to get a result at Micklehurst next week to stand a chance of making the play-off final. If they are to win they will have to show the application and desire to win that was shown by Royton in this game.