On an overcast day in July, the GLCC 2nd XI promotion bandwagon rolled into Ribchester. Ribchester have only recently been promoted to D division so it is the first time any of the lads have been to this particular part of the world (Certainly in a cricketing sense anyway). It is also a journey not many of us will be rushing to make again. The club and players seemed to be ok but the wicket certainly left a lot to be desired. The whole wicket was very green and quite obviously hadn’t been rolled all season. (A fact later confirmed by their captain). Anyway, enough of the whingeing, on with the play.
2nd team captain Rob “50’s haircut” Hallewell won the toss and made the right decision to field first. He opened the bowling from the “bits of agricultural machinery hidden in the long grass” end and the other opening bowling berth was handed to Dave “Give me a break, I was boffing up in Squires till 6 o clock this morning” Howarth who bowled from the car park end. Dave was finding it difficult bowling just after eating his breakfast so pretty soon Granddad Rooney was brought into the attack.
The opening partnership took a bloody long time to reach 10 before 50's haircut took his only wicket. After getting through the opening four batsmen, very little resistance was offered as Ribchester capitulated from 87 for 5 to 96 all out. Granddad Rooney took 3 for 31 off 12 and Great granddad Allen took 4 for 9 off 9.
So, on to the Len innings and our established opening partnership of Granddad and Heapey lasted exactly seven bowls until the latter edged to the keeper. Another 6 wickets fell with some good knocks for 50's haircut (25) and Granddad again (3 wickets, 3 catches and 25 with the bat - Greedy bugger) which saw the Len almost to the finishing line. Up steps the Holmeboy to steal all the glory by hitting a quickfire 24 not out off about 3 balls including a huge six to win the game. After numerous shouts from the watching Len players of "I'll get it”, the bowl nestled in the neighbouring field.
Another lovely 13 points in the bag and back to the Oak for a double celebration as we find the 1st team have only gone and bloody won a game. Onwards and upwards.