Rawtenstall Cricket Club-Keith Roscoe

Saturday saw us make the trek into the land of the White and Red rose.
On a day that showers were forecast we won the toss and fielded.
Our usual ebullience was sadly lacking and to make matters worse,Tods
opener Newbitt was dropped at slip whilst still to register.Our first
success came with the score on 48,when Stu Priestley was caught at short
leg by Bomber Riley off Nathan for 17.The next ball Bodi swept Nathan
but only into the hip of silly -mid on (Bomber), the ball ballooned back to Sealy
who took the simplest of catches at silly mid off.Bomber would have joined in the celebrations
but was too busy trying to run off the pain. A fine stand of 64 between Newbitt and Marsh
followed, until, Newbitt was undone by the arm ball,after taking me for three sixes(in different spells).
Marsh was next to depart edging a sweep to short fine leg and well caught by Danny B for 39.
A flurry of wickets followed with Tod searching for quick runs,Bux,Henderson ,A Sutcliffe all falling
cheaply,and when Ben Sutcliffe was dismissed for 24,we were in touching distance of the bonus
points.Harrison was run out in the last over,and Brown survived the last ball,being dropped at
cow corner.So their innings closed on 195 for 5.Nathan being the pick of the bowlers finishing
with 5 for69 and with that breaking the 50 wicket barrier for the season.
Nathan and Chris opened up,Nathan was soon into the action launching Mo Bux for a straight six
to get off the mark.Chris then drove Morgan for four to open his account.One more blow from Nathan and
a two ,so we were 20 in no time.Then Nathan was deemed to nick one to the keeper and was out for 12.Paynie
then steadied the ship .Both he and Chris batting well ,although Chris having a more fortuitous time being dropped
twice in two balls.Chris brought up his 50 in fine style with a trademark extra cover drive.By drinks we only needed
100 with 9 wickets left.Paynie then got out caught on the long on boundary as he was about to cut loose for 27.
Danny B survived a let off but did not make the most of it ,falling for 13 caught at cover.Sealy was gone for a duck
and we were looking a little shaky at 128 for 4.Jay-Lo despite looking good was a little off the pace and was run out
by a direct hit,trying to take a quick single for 2,134 for 5.This then became 142 for 6 as Will got in a bit of a tangle
and was bowled for 5.Big Vin was also bowled for 2.145 for 7,the home side were now cock-a-hoop.The game
then swung back in our favour as Chris and Bomber added 30 for the eighth wicket.Chris completing his first ever
League ton and what a good one it was.On the last ball of the 48th over Chris's magnificent knock was ended for
105,the lad came off with nothing more left to give,we were a mere 4 runs short of victory.Afi and I traded singles,two
were needed from 9 balls,next ball a dot.The next Afi was given out lbw and the game was theirs.
Another great game for the neutral,we could look back at the catches we dropped the mis-fields,the decisions,
but so too could they.All in all an exciting end to a game of cricket.Spare a thought for Chris he has scored
to centuries against Todmorden this season,and finished on the losing side both times.'til next week when we
take on our nearest rivals Accrington at Bacup Road.
See you laytur Kes

SUNDAY'S MATCH REPORT