Darwen Trounce Chorley

Normal service was resumed in the local derby after two years of embarrassments at the hands of Chorley. The mighty Darwen demolished our friends, as we always used to, and gave a good excuse for some ex players to raise a toast to the new heroes. Darwen rattled up a massive 278 for 4. That score looked along way off when we reduced to 7-2 with both openers going for ducks. Arise Sir Mohammed Zaman Khan. Our professional scored 157 runs and confirmed his status as the best batsmen in the league. He clubbed the hosts all over the park and set a massive total so we could attack for victory. Zimmy was not alone in his carnage as Alex also weighed in with 62 to enhance his growing reputation. Captain Chaos also red inked a quick 29.

The Chorley reply was soon in tatters as Kammy decided to rip through it single handedly. The hosts were floundering at 9 for 3 and then 34 for 6. The new look Darwen attack performed admirable, Kammy led the way as the senior pace bowler, ably supported by Wadey, who got his first professional out, and all rounder Niallers who picked up a couple and took 3 catches. Good to see the fringe bowlers get a chance, but more importantly take it with both hands and give the selectors a headache. One thing for sure you can't change a winning team after such a performance.

Lancaster Bombed by Zimmy

The new winning Darwen roadshow carried on its merry way. This time dispatching last year's wooden spoonists Lancaster. The Bombers won the toss and took first use of the track. After a steady start only losing Heywood Jnr and a very good friend of mine Tim Barry, the visitors cut loose against a depleted Darwen attack. Visiting professional Roy Silva blasted 103, ably supported by Captain Stevens 48. Just when it seemed an unobtainable score was going to be posted, the Towers fought back. Neville took 5 wickets and restricted them to 212 off 50 overs. Nathan 'Scooter Ainslie' Jackson picked up a wicket then split his hand and will miss the next few games. Chris Clarke, after performing well with the ball last week, was overlooked for some reason. Rumour has it he said anyone who holds a wedding reception at Hoghton is a complete loser as it is the middle of nowhere with no proper facilities for families.

An encouraging s gyue GHJ./tart by the Niall and Slowey put 43 on the board and gave a platform for an assault at the Lancaster total. Losing 4 wickets for 22 runs was not so encouraging. Alex and the abusive Clarke both falling for ducks. Neville joined the unflappable Zimmy and soon the Darwen ship was back on course. When he fell with the score at 120 and with the sight of captain Johnnyboy walking to the crease, Zimmy decided 'if I don't get these quick we are doomed'. And get these he did with an imperious unbeaten match winning century. Spurred on no doubt by the support of the returning table topping second team, who had skittled Lancaster for 56. The watching second eleven actually increased the average spectator age to 77.

Another 12 points and we climb to 5th in the table. Preston and Chorley away next week with a little bit of slog cricket in between. Enjoy your cricket!

The Tide Turns at Fleetwood

Darwen stopped the rot with a winning draw at Broadwater but should really have taken maximum points. Darwen skipper Cordingley elected to take first use of the track. Once again early wickets fell as Lobo (studying braille from all accounts) and Burkovic scored 9 and 14 respectively. The consistent professional Zimmy once again passed the half century mark as he got 61. Useful contributions from the middle and lower order, especially Neville (41) ensured a good total of 201 was set for the hosts to claim victory. The Two Fleetwood Australians (Frith - Professional and Smith - English Passport Overseas Amateur) bowled 35 overs between them.

The Fleet reply was soon in trouble as Kammy picked up the opener and Neville removed the 3-Dog Clinning. Professional Frith stood firm as wickets fell around him but when Zimmy knocked him over surely it was only a matter of time before the rest of them fell. Unfortunately it proved not to be the case as the ninth wicket pair held up the Darwen onslaught. They batted for 60 balls until Kammy got the final of his three wickets. Fleetwood closed on 145-9. Spin king Clarkey finshed with 3 wickets from 6 overs.

10 points which should have been 15 but a welcome return to form and a positive result. The absence of strike bowler Yakub, deemed unable to play by Lancashire due to injury, is not helping the points tally.Let's hope he is back soon as it's Lancaster next up at Birch Hall on Saturday. Get up for it!

More Misery from Morecambe

Darwen slumped to their third straight defeat in a pulsating encounter at Birch Hall. Visitors Morecambe had first use of the track and scored 198 for just five wickets. Darwen, without strike bowler Yak, soon removed half of the leagues oldest opening partnership when Dennison fell to Kammy, but the visitors slowly built a decent total without looking in any danger against a toothless home attack. But the hosts still had the upper hand until the popular Morecambe professional Mashimbi came to the crease. He smashed 63 which included 5 sixes to swing the momentum into the visitors favour. kammy was the only bowler to take any wickets. He got 4 and a run out and a bit of tap.

Chasing a higher total than was expected Darwen knew they would have to bat well but had the knowledge that the Morecambe attack on paper looked very weak. Opener Niallers was bowled early on but Lobo and Zimmy rebuilt. They both committed the cardinal sin of getting in then getting out. Neville came to the crease and smacked the buffet about to take us within sight of victory. The game changed when he was sent packing, adjugded LBW by the ice cream seller with the white stick. 150 for five soon became six when the captain went. Unfortunately the efforts of the strong lower order were not enough and from the last ball of the game Kammy was out to hand maximum points to the potted-shrimpers. Debutant Chris Wade batted at number 9. Not because that is where the captain asked him to, he was in fact number 11. However, schoolboy errors from both Kammy and Jordan meant that when the out of form Paper got a fourth ball duck neither had bothered to pad up!

Another exciting game but not the desired result. Opportunities for victory are presenting themselves but as yet we have not been good enough to gran them.Fleetwood next were the rot must be stopped. And a National Knockout match on Sunday.

Shamateur Steers St.Annes To Victory

A fantastic undefeated 135 from Atiq Uz-Zaman ensured the current champions St. Annes took 12 points against a spirited Darwen team. No-one can deny his quality but should he be allowed to participate in a league that states ONE professional for each team? When you are on the end of 135 of his runs the question of his legitimacy is at the forefront of your mind.

Darwen racked up a total of 226-9 in which everyone contributed. A competitive score thanks to the ever improving Niallers (45), the reliable Zimmy (41) and big Alex. AD, fresh from holiding his own for Lancashire Seconds midweek, posted his top score of the season with 55. Valuable clonks from Paper and Johnnyboy ensured the pressure would be on the chasing team and the past has told us when the pressure is on St.Annes are capable of crumbling.

The two pros opened up for the hosts and took the score to 29 before Hettiarachchi retired hurt. It must have been having to bowl 25 overs once again. This brought Northern League journeyman Boucher to the crease. The Yak soon sent him to back. When the returning swot Chris Clarke removed Twist there was little batting left. Zimmy picked up a couple and Duncan was run out without facing but the immovable object Uz-Zaman guided them to victory with 7 balls to spare.

If we continue to play like this there will be more good days than bad. Morecambe next up at home.

Wheels Come Of Against Barrow

Darwen's encouraging start to the season was brought to a shuddering halt at Birch Hall as the visitors from Barrow took away 12 points and left the hosts with a big fat zero. The game started in shambolic circumstances as the umpires deemed the original pitch unfit for play. Another wicket had to be used and after losing the toss Darwen were given first use. But they decided not to use it very well and were soon in the mire. Niallers and Mr Angry Jackson had their stumps removed by Cumberland bowler Dawson. Usually saying someone plays for Cumberland is no guarantee of them having any cricketing ability, however Dawson is a decent bowler and the removal of professional Zimmy emphasised this point. At 8-3 the omens were not good. At 49-7 they were even worse after brief stays for Neville and Alex, and even shorter for Kammy and Munnsdog. Enter Captain Cordingley and cousin Jordan Clarke who battled to add a semblance of respectability to the total. Johnnyboy, batting at 6, scored 40 and Jordan an excellent 41 not out. The Yak was run out before Andrew 'red-inker' Cook was out for the first time in his career. 128 all out was the final tally, not great but on the fresh pitch there was an outside chance of a surprise victory.

After an early strike from Neville, Barrow eased themselves towards the target with Miles and professional Wanasingheyouasong doing the damage. Miles was runout by fielder Cook at 63-2 to give a glimmer of hope. The Yak produced a hostile spell an removed Clark and Lancashire Academy colleague and big head Livingstone for another duck. But it was to no avail as the visitors professional hit a match winning 72 not out.

A reality check for the Darwen youngsters who will glad to have in form PC Paper and Lobo back for Monday's trip to the champions St.Annes. For those of you who don't know Chris Lowe refuses to play against Barrow. It used to be just the away fixture and the ridculous trip into Scotland. He will be in Romania when we play the return fixture as he says it it easier to get to. But he loves a trip to the seaside and will be back on Monday.

Carnage at Carnforth

Like a bunch of pansies blooming in a garden, Darwen also seem to be thriving in the early season sun. Carnforth were put to the sword by the Towers and 12 points were on their way back down the M6 faster than Horsey's order for body armour. New property magnet Johnnyboy Cordingley proved what a good tosser he is. Firstly, by winning and asking the hosts to bat first and secondly by proving that he is not the new Gordon Glover, by eventually moving out of mummy's house as he rapidly approaches 30.

Carnforth, on the back of a massive 27 all out performance the previous week, were soon on the rack as Bhamji removed an opener, but a solid partnership followed between Rovers skipper Ryan Nelson and Hi-De-Hi camp entertainer Ted Bovis. Things were looking a little bleak, even if it was slow going, until Zimmy trapped Bovis plum in front of Spike, Peggy and Miss Cathcot. With an end now open Darwen went for the kill and wickets began to fall. The ever improving Yak, who will also be representing Lancashire Colts this season, picked up two more wickets both for ducks including the original 'more badges than a five star general' Shah. Two run outs, two more LBW's for Zimmy and a wicket for Kammy and the Carnforth innings fizzled out into a respectable (they scored 27 last week don't forget) 176-9. Opener Nelsen blocked the sh......, sorry carried his bat scoring 79 not out from 50 overs having had to watch the collapse from the other end.

The Darwen reply was started by Alex Davies and Niall ByNature, the latter replacing new dad Chris Lowe who was a little tired after ONE nights interrupted sleep, but it was Alex that was soon back in the hut for a rest for a quack. It didn't matter as Niallers and Zimmy put on a magnificent century partnership, smacking the Carnforth attack to all parts in no time whatsoever. Forty for the impressive Burke, who has been training at university and can now down a pint faster than his dad, then Johnny came and went. Zimmy fell 3 runs short of a well deserved century but he had guided us to victory in just 30 overs. We could have chased 300 plus with the batting that was left!

Next week sees a double header with Barrow at home on Saturday before a trip to the seaside on Monday to title holders St. Aidans. More of the same please.

Paper Sets Up Near Perfect Start

On a sun-drenched day at Birch Hall new captain Johnnyboy Cordingley won the toss and somewhat surprisingly decided to bat. Going for maximum points against Kendal a team who always love a trip to Darwen. The sight of the old stalwart groundsman (the new one unbelievably not contracted on Saturday!) hammering the wickets into an uncharacteristically rock hard track may have swayed the decision. Father-to-be Lobo and Alex gave the hosts a steady start both fell in quick succession. New professional Mohammed Zaman Khan stepped to the crease and held the innings together while wickets tumbled around him. At 79-5 we were in trouble. Enter PC Mark Emery to join Zimmy and give him the support required. They were both batting well until Zimmy fell. Kammy joined Paper and the pair cut loose to take us towards a commanding total. Having got into the forties Paper had scored his highest score since knocking brother Simon round his back garden. Could he score a maiden 50 and get a collection to keep him cider for an evening? No! He ballsed it up on 49 and cost the team free pints! However his fantastic knock in tandem with Kammy's and a quickfire 17 from Jordan Clarke put Darwen to a fantastic 212-8.

The Darwen attack soon had Kendal in trouble as the returning Neville Cordingley picked up a wicket, and then Lancashire's Yakub snapped up the prize wicket of Terry Hunte. When Kammy removed professional McMillan victory looked to be on the cards, but Kendal's other decent player Haworth had other ideas and scored 66. Wickets tumbled in the last few overs but Kendal finished on 140-9. Three wickets for Kammy and Yakub, two for Nev and one for Zimmy.

Maximum winning draw points of ten and a great start to the season for the Darreners.

Southport Away Pre-Season Match

As rag tag Darwen eleven took to the field it was reminiscent of Dad's Army.

A team made of up of 3 first team regulars, including the pro, some fringe 2nd teamers, including the veteran 2nd team captain Gary Gary Jackson, finished off with a sprinkling of 3rd team players in Messers Horsfield and Painter, all under the reluctant captaincy of Andrew 'Chaos' Cook.

Pick of the bowling was Chris Clarke with two wickets and one from Niall By Nature, who were helped in the field with some comedy fielding from the aged Horsfield, dropping 3 catches and some hilarious ground fielding. Southport scored 177

As for the batting Chris Clarke scored 41 and there was a useful knock from the pro Zimmy, but unfortunately they fell and there was no real batting left in the locker once Horsfield and Painter took to the wicket. Wadey tried valiantly to boom Darwen to victory but soon came a cropper leaving body builder Gregor Lawrenson and Captain Chaos to try and force victory but to no avail.

Darwen fell 25 short on 152 but had a good run out. However I think the commitment of some people needs questioning and priorities sorting. Some senior players decided they did not need the practice. Roll on windy Bacup next Saturday!

Yours in sport

UnNamed Source - A DCC Insider

Top Top Top Top Top Of the League

After the earliest meet ever (9--45am) it was anticipated to be a 2 hour journey, but surprisingly made it in about 1 and a half hours (or 55 mins if you went with Mick). After waiting 30 mins for the barrow lads to get there we eventually got in and skipper Jackson lost the toss and we were inserted. The battin line up tried to mix experience with youth and there was success for both camps with veteran painter (33) Jackson G (35) giving us a perfect platform to build from. Enter Matt Fay on debut with Benny returning from Australia and they put on about 90 for the 5 th wicket Benny making a classy 55 and Matt making 47 playing some lovely straight drives and looking like he had been in 2nd team for years. A few late boundaries from Wadey and the horse pushed us past 200.

Tea was taken Lawro had 2 full pringles and a jaffa cake before he was full and we prepared to take the field. Wadey and the Horse opened the bowling both having an early success. Wadey eventually getting the dangerous Alington ct behind by Benno,wkts fell regularly and while wadey had a deserved break davies and lawro came into the attack with davies snaring a couple of rabbits before capt brearley decided to take him off after a wkt maiden, surely he didn't want to walk back to Darwen with Ronnie and scott? Wadey was brought back and simply blasted out the barrow tail vindicating the Skippers brave decision!!!..

15 Points top,top,top of the league 6wkts for wadey and two 5 for's Benny 5 catches and Mick 5 teas excellent!!!!
CD

Young Guns Show Their Mettle at LD

Towers 215-7

Whittle-le-Woods 170 ao

A very youthful Sunday XI took on an experienced Whittle side at the deputy home of cricket, Lower Darwen. After putting the Burco on, ‘de-mucking’ the outfield and sizing up the opposition, it was time for the toss. In light of recent muttering about ‘tactical inflexibility’ and ‘one-dimensional captaincy’, the skipper won a 5th straight toss and decided to bat first, against his better judgement.

The wisdom of this decision was soon in question as openers Tiger and Reece were put under the cosh by a combination of aggressive bowling and inconsistent bounce. At 40-5, Thompson had to put down the Telegraph at page 10 and try to restore some order to proceedings. After a nervy opening trying to pick the ball out of a brown garage door, he began to tear the Whittle attack to pieces and along with the impervious Reece, took the score to 180 before the Pocket Dynamo was cruelly run out for 64 after a bad call from his experienced partner. It was left to Johnny Thompson to strike a few lusty blows (eyes shut) to take the score on to 215 at the close of our 45 overs.

The teas were expertly delivered by national treasure Raymondo Rushton and we were presented with an individual plate of butties, salad and pastries. On the plus side the spicy vegetable slice and sausage roll were excellent, however it was felt the ham and beef sandwiches were a little dry and wanting of some salad cream, coleslaw or English mustard. Nevertheless we devoured them and stirred our pots of tea with a broom handle as LD was all out of spoons.

Whittle are known as a handy batting side and we were defending a short boundary, so opted for an experienced opening attack of Buffet and the returning Tim Drugan. Both bowled with controlled aggression and reduced the opposition to 22-2. After that, the Towers turned the screw, making the batters work for every run. The score nudged onto 70-2 before the excellent Ryan McKenna and Sam Painter took 6 wickets between them from the Blackburn end. At the Darwen end, Chris Crompton made his senior debut and like all of Darwen’s young players, showed maturity beyond his years. He pouched a great steepling catch at midwicket to dismiss the dangerous Faroukh, then took a wicket in his second over, courtesy of a Mick Anderson catch. The fired up Reece finished off the innings with a neat catch by Luke McKenna who barely dropped a ball all afternoon behind the stumps.

From a captain’s perspective, it was a very satisfactory afternoon’s cricket with great attitude, talent and commitment shown by the lads throughout. A special mention too for young James who completed his first scorebook, which was complemented by the umpires after the game. Thanks also to Sam for helping him learn the ropes.

Lee

Divine Intervention fails to Halt Sunday Charge

Kirkham & Wesham 76 AO

Towers 78-0

After a week of administrative issues and much horse trading with Thirds skipper Tiger, the Sunday Towers made the trip to Kirkham and Wesham under heavy skies for their first game since the 2nd May. After being left disenfranchised by a Tarts and Vicars party at LD (first team skipper Johnnyboy was allegedly spotted walking down Sandy Lane crossing himself and wearing ecclesiastic garb) our opponents generously donated use of their Woodlands ground. After an hour of rain disruption, the clouds parted, the new £10,000 covers were rolled off and Dougie finished his third pint ahead of his opening spell. The track was positively dusty and a new cherry was duly handed to warring couple Mick and CD. It was not long before wickets started to fall as Kirkham’s order declined to build an innings. Of particular delight was the dismissal of amateur cricket’s answer to Payne Stewart, a guy wearing a flat cap who was facing the bowling machine on arrival and obviously took the game very seriously. After strutting around for a couple of minutes, he settled down for his first delivery ..... was he a ‘good un’ or show pony? Hilariously, he was toilet and no-one shed a tear when CD caught him at midwicket off the steady medium pace of Mick Anderson for a paltry 4. Debutant Ryan McKenna finished off the tail with some excellent left-arm bowling and after only 22 overs, it was off to the bar to cast our eye over the christening party. It was not long before trouble flared as a number of the Towers plundered the wrong teas, tucking into the guests fruit salad, cold meats and cheesecake instead of the players fayre of egg butties and pork pies.

After an exemplary display of dressing room diplomacy, skipper Thompson elected to open the batting with little brother Martin. Despite some presentable bowling, the ball was dispatched to all parts and the total was reached with ease in 18 overs, with the Lee and Mars 44 and 26 not out respectively. All in all a good win and a nice place to do business.

Rory Spins it to Win It

BAC/EE Preston 77 ao
Towers 78-1

Ahead of a mid season break, the Sunday XI bandwagon rolled into British Aircraft Corporation slash English Electric Preston in full expectation of a close tie. Not only had our opponents the longest name in the league, but also two victories and 400+ runs in the bag already this season. But the Towers had their own big clunking fist - the largest carbon footprint of any travelling team in the Palace Shield! Such is the requirement for personal comfort and room for Simon's pads, that it took no fewer than 7 cars to transport the team on their 20 minute journey to Preston.

The pitch was in good nick and the lads had to adjust their eyes to the sight of a gleaming buff-coloured pitch immaculately inscribed into the square. The skipper proved again to the leagues best tosser by winning for the third game in a row. Despite the licking of lips at the prospect of racking up a big score, he decided to invite the opposition to bat and selected a brand new cherry to take advantage of the humidity and moisture in the pitch early doors.

The first few overs were a bit of a wake up call as some loose stuff from the fired up Chats and returning Danny Maynard was dispatched to the midwicket boundary. However, once Maynard had opener Pilkington neatly snaffled by gloveman Zac Whalley, it was a question of how quickly we could remove the prolific Hothersall before he did too much damage. Without the talismanic Douglas who was playing football in a cup final, Darwen needed a hero. Enter the Mighty Panther....

Making the ball fizz, zip, bounce and swerve, the veteran cricket tragic tore through the BAC order, finally removing the dangerman for 36. From the other end, Buffet rolled back the years with some great stump-to-stump medium pace, taking 2 for 20. Rory finished his spell of 9 overs with 5 for 11, and it was left to Bob the Builder to finish em off with some filthy half-trackers. The tail didn't wag and we all trooped off for what was, frankly, a disappointing tea.

The skipper decided to stick with his top order batsmen after an indifferent start to the season, and his faith was repaid in full. Del Boy Painter opened up with the groggy-looking Matt Painter and easily nudged the score on to 20 before Matt could not apply a finish and dollyed one up to mid-off. Zac joined Del Boy and after some bizarre flamingo shots, got his eye in and began dispatching the bowlers to all parts, seeing the job through in a leisurely 28 overs. Job done, and the final words must belong to man of the match Simon: "I dreamed this would happen last night. I knew my zooters and reverse spinners were good and hope I can now push my credentials for a first team place."

Current Bowling Averages:

S Painter - 18 overs, 11 wickets for 28 runs at 2.5 runs per wicket.

Sunday Gays March On

After a convincing victory the previous week the Sundays Gays took on Gregson lanes finest, who also had recorded a sound victory the week before, on the Birch. The start was delayed due to the inclement weather conditions but play started after around an hour delay with the game being reduced to 35 over's. Skipper Thompson who seemed nervous at the start as he continuously fidgeted with his receding hairline yet again won the toss and inserted the opposition in on a now juiced up track.

A solid start for Gregson Lane was ruined by paceman Douglas who had the dangerous Rooney snaffled up at gully after some chin music by a diving Buffet for 9. Another downpour meant the further loss of another 4 over's and an early tea. After the restart wickets fell at regular intervals with only Phil Woods really troubled the scorer as he somehow made 29 before Greg Lawro had him caught. As the wickets fell and the standard of batsmen was gradually reducing Simon Painter began to warm up and declared himself fit for a spell. Some tight fielding kept the pressure on especially from veteran Mick Anderson but the bowlers were let down on some occasions by 'El Capitano' who after eventually moving himself from first slip ( after 2 games) threw himself over a couple from the bowling of the impressive returning Chatts. Skipper Thomson brought back Douglas into the attack whose pace had reduced from the low 90s to a now mid 60 due to the large amount of the splendid meat pie he had consumed at the early tea and the gregson lane tailenders struggled to cope with the waist high full tosses of Painter and the accuracy of Douglas and they finished the innings on 86-9.

In reply a solid start was required but as the case the previous week one was not forthcoming. The 6 foot 9 Darius Ainslie was first to depart for 10 then 3 more quick wickets were lost as the Gregson Lane bowlers could sniff blood. As the previous week Douglas was at the crease with the skip with the score at a precarious 41 -4. The large crowd of fost teamers and Cooky who had gathered on the Darwen End terrace looked nervous mainly due to the fact that Painter was due in next but then to add to the drama skipper Thompson tweaked a hamstring ala Tony Russell style which ruled out any quick singles. The crowd though wanted fireworks from these two experienced batsman and Douglas and Thompson obliged. Douglas hit spinner Woods into the nursery and ended up 43 Not out off 29 balls and Thompson got 3 off the square and ended up 12 not out off 74 deliveries to ensure another victory for the Sunday Gays.

Relics and Renaissance and Withnell Fold

Withnell Fold 90ao

Darwen Sunday XI 91-5

Darwen Sunday XI Win - 12 Points

Sunday cricket is back at DCC. After a week of selection problems and uncertainty over Palace Shield eligibility rules, the Towers took to the field in the leafy hamlet of Withnell Fold. What has been variously called the 'Fifths', 'The Ragtag & Bobtailers' and 'Misfits XI' had a nice variety of youth and experience, cricketing hardnuts and villagers. Three returning Thompsons and three Painters totally outgunned Withnell's paltry two Fowlers on the family front. Preserved for future generations to enjoy, some of the kit was a trip down memory lane. Amongst the items - a Duncan Fearnley coffin, some Saint Peter batting gloves, Canvas pads, a Symonds Tusker bat and real wool jumpers.

Conscript captain, Lee Thompson, won the toss, elected to field and left the square to a chorus of expletives from Michael 'Deadly' Douglas who was hoping for a bit of kip after a long night in the Kings Inn. But the wise old owl correctly judged that the atmospheric conditions were perfect for his swing and boff-spin attack. Opening the bowling from the Pond End, Danny Maynard swung the ball viciously, causing mayhem on a slow but consistent track and removing Withnells token ringer. After a 10 over burst from the strike bowlers, Buffet returned to the fray whilst Gregor Lawrenson kept it tight from the Farmers Field end. At 40 for 4, things were looking good and it was left to Jamie Allsop (puts one in mind of a young Terry Alderman) and Painter S to finish em off with some clinical bowling. 90 all out in 37 overs. Teas were very good and I should mention the Victoria Sponge in particular, which was both light and satisfying, washed down with the strongest cup of tea ever.

Darwen's response was lead by Painter M and Painter J. Perhaps getting a bit fidgety in front of the sizeable travelling support (arguably a larger crowd than Saturday's first team game), both surrendered their wickets cheaply along with Zac Whalley, run out on a direct hit. Big Mars bludgeoned a couple of fours before falling and at 30 for 4, things were looking a bit bleak. Enter the skipper and a pumped-up Mike Douglas, who had a None-For on the bowling front and much to prove in front of his cricketing nemesis Cookster. Strangely, Withnell's captain sensed Mickey was a bit of a rabbit and brought up a silly mid-off and mid-on to veteran dusty-binner Nick Barrett. First ball was duly dispatched high and straight into the cow field and a further barrage was only halted later on by a contentious caught-behind decision. Nonetheless a quickfire 28 had given the crowd what they wanted and each boundary was greeted with a chorus of howling from the hill. By contrast, the skipper was content to nurdle singles, play elaborate 'leaves' and put the trash in the bin. His 21 not out supported by a late cameo by Painter S secured a hard won victory and it was off to the Hoghton Arms for a few celebratory snifters. Gregson Lane on the Birch next week - your support is much appreciated and a much better option than B&Q.

Captain Lee Thompson

Thirds Marching On

Under the outstanding stewardship of Danny Tighe we elected to bat bat first. Newcomer to the club Sunny Ahmed opened the batting and scored 139. Not bad for his debut, but he has little chance of getting into the seconds as he is not old enough. Red Card Douglas also clonked 74. An astute declaration took place with the score on 273. Southport College were eventually bowled out for 202 with the pick of the bowlers being Danny Fradd, 6 wkts for 35 runs of 7.1 over and Douglas picked up a couple of wickets.