The thirds took the trip down Kem Mill lane this week for the possible bannana skin clash against lower table Whittle-Le-Woods. From the team last week we were missing Chadders who was at a certain rock ‘n’ or roll festival and dot ball specialist Sol who had taken the trip to Africa to help with charity work (good luck with that Sol). However we did welcome back wicket keeper Mansfield who took his post behind the stumps. Despite the loss of a couple of players, the wicket looking like the outfield and the porta-cabin changing rooms we were in a buoyant mood unlike Wigan’s premiership status. There was huge pressure on the lads today after the 2^nds took Great Ecc apart at Warton and the 1sts fizzed out New Longtons batting order like the proverbial bath bomb.

The weather was sunny and quite warm but the wicket was a state, the only indication of which strip of grass was the wicket was the run up marks in the outfield. So the wicket looked green and soft with the outfield looking decent.

Wilson walked out to the middle to toss … (should I rephrase that?). And like Paul the octopus he predicted correctly again (4 in 4) and BAC put the home team in.

As we took to the field we noticed 5 batsmen padded for Whitte, maybe a sign of things to come? The usual opening pair of Cam/low tower and Andy/Merve Hughes started off and hit early as Cam snuck one through bat pad to topple Bolton’s middle peg. Andy didn’t hand around either getting the other opener, O’Donnell, caught fantastically by Zeddy Zedster at cover. The Proctors then came to the crease and both looked ok putting the short ball away. Gaskell and Dougie then came on and Gaskell soon took a wicket, getting Proctor number two caught behind for 12. A run out then came two balls later as the seemingly inexperienced Hardman stayed stood out of his crease as Willow kicked the ball onto the stumps, maybe it was a little harsh but Wilsons competitive side shone through. Gaskell then got another wicket within his spanking with the ball, a superb diving caught and bowled did for Denning but after going for 20 in 4 overs Gaskell was replaced by Willow. With 4 quicks having already bowled Zed and Wilson both began to bowl some spin and Zeddy soon got Proctor 1 out caught after a nice 30 including a straight 6 that was called 4 due to the sight screen being inside the boundary. Wilsons spin didn’t last long as he reverted to bowling a mixture of cutters and quicks. Willow had no luck but Zed picked up another 2 wickets getting Flater and Dave caught brilliantly for 26 and 0 respectively. Whittle made a valiant 105 which was pretty competitive on this wicket and BAC may rue some missed run out chances and a couple of tough dropped catches.

Chasing 105 was never going to be easy on a pitch that had been ripped up during the first innings but we had 53 overs to play with and Doug the Jug was due a score.

Doug opened with Gaskell who was on the back of an innings of 50 in the seconds the day before but didn’t last long as he was caught behind for 0. Steinson then came and went for 0 bowled by an inswinging Yorker. This was all going on while Jonny/Dougie was going about his business at the other end blocking a few then hitting the odd four ball. Tingle was number 4 and stuck around for a little while pushing the score towards 20 until he was caught at cover for 9. With the score 20 for 3 we seemed to be up the creek without a paddle. Co-capitan (spelt wrong purposely) Willow joined Doug and was dubbed Trott for the innings as he blocked and blocked grinding the innings out. These two put in the hard work, defending and picking up singles and pushed the scores up to 50 for 3 by the 20^th over then began to accelerate a little with Dougie slapping a couple of pulled fours and hitting a lovely straight six while Trotty trotted down the track to the spinner and put him away for a couple of fours on the leg side. Doug the jug lived up to his name once again and passed 50 and took BAC passed 100 but with only 3 needed he was caught at point al a Martin Hothersall. He was devastated but knew the partnership with Wilson had got BAC the win, a 83 run partnership had carved the victory for BAC. 3 needed and the opener came back on, Trott drove for a single to put Scotty on strike who after saying he was going to block swung like Happy Gilmore at the first 3 balls with no luck, the 4^th was a wide tying the game, Scott then went off for treatment via his chiropractor and came back on to thump a magnificent straight six to win the game and leave BAC Nelson for 4.

Moment of the game would be Scotty’s six, maybe he was a little rash but it was a bit of excitement to end the game.

A few good individual performances Zed once again putting the opposition in a spin with 2 for 23 off 8.2 including a top class catch. Gaskell with two wickets even if he did get a bit of tap but a brilliant caught and bowled was the highlight. Andy and Cam also (once again) opened the innings well getting 1 for 16 and 1 for 15 respectively.  

Batting wise Tingle got a valiant 9 but didn’t go on to get a few more, Scott hit that lusty six but Hothersall’s 55 was the key off 83 balls, a well paced innings with a few beefy shots. Also Wilson’s patient, gritty and determined 25 off 69 was slow but required and to be unbeaten at the end was a right touch, if I do say so myself.  

Finally Jack Mansfield was very good behind the stumps only conceding a few byes and took a catch aswell.

A great 12 points for the team and it was very well earned.

The last game of the season will be played in 2 weeks time (5^th Sept) against Kirkham & Wesham who are bottom of the league. It’s a big 12 pointer if we want to kindle any hope of promotion so lets hope the weather is good.

Opener Andy Hollinhurst is absent for this one but has had a productive season for the team finishing with 26 runs at 13 and 11 wickets at 11. Well done Andy.

Yours in Cricket,

Willow