It's been a bit moist hasn't it!
The Senior programme has sadly been decimated by the poor weather on Saturday's over the last 6 weeks or so.
However, the
1st team still remain in the promotion hunt, sitting 4th with six games to play, chasing one of the two promotion places. July was going well, with rain effected victories at Hadfield and Bury secured before the rain really hit. The Dukinfield game on 15th July nearly saw a result before the rain came to abandon the day. The following week, Saddleworth CC was under water and no play was possible.
A crucial game against Royton at the end of the month sadly didn't see a victory, with Royton managing to dig themselves out of a 82-6 sized hole, and chase 160 down to win by 4 wickets.
Last week at Woodhouses, the pitch was never fit at any point before during or after play. Somehow, the umpires decided to commence play, before the rain returned seeing a further abandonment.
The
2nd team had a month of close finishes in July.
Beginning with a one wicket victory at home to Moorside, thanks in no small part to an unbeaten 62 from Captain, Philip Rowston (and Sam Bennett running brisk singles). Defeat to Shaw followed by 3 runs, before a low scoring thriller at Dukinfield in another one wicket victory. This time Will Davis was the man of the hour, with Sam Bennett's knee further disintegrating, seeing him hobbling singles at the other end.
The Saddleworth fixture was rained off, before an enjoyable trip to Werneth where Sam Bennett was reduced to watching from the sidelines, diagnosed with a strained Medial Collateral Ligament, and given some physio to do. Defeat by 4 wickets there, but a marvellous performance from young James Starr with both bat and ball.
The
3rd team continued to be hampered by weather, with more games abandoned than completed this season. The only result in July was the best 3's performance of the season so far, beating Ashton Ladysmith by 247 runs after scoring 291 and reducing the opposition to 44 all out. Last week the 3's blew away Failsworth Macedonia's 2's, with Charlie Stafford taking 7 wickets.
There are a run of games for the 3's between now and the end of the season, as we hope the weather improves for them.
July saw a first league defeat of the season for the 4th Team, as they were overpowered by New Mills despite Stephen's imperious 5fer.
Since then it's been a tale of rain offs hampering a run of friendlies designed to give younger players a run out.
August and September sees a return to league action as they seek to return to the top of D&C Sunday Div 2
Sadly the Women's Team saw no action in July, with all their fixtures being rained off.