🏆 CHAMPIONS AGAIN, OLE OLE! 🏆
Matthew Thornton's Barmy 2nd XI Army have gone and won the league again thanks to a 10 point victory over the border in Littleborough. The hosts won the toss and chose to bat but were restricted by a combination of our bowling attack and the weather. We were left chasing 176 from 41 overs.
The openers got the chase in motion with a brisk opening stand of 63 off the first 12. That was until Ali Sagheer Ahmed was trapped LBW for 33 off 39 balls bringing Matt Roberts to the crease.
Josh Holding, suffered the same fate as his opening partner, LBW on 59 with the score now at 131/2. But another 50-runs for Peanut's stats column in what's been a great season for the young batsman.
Joey Marshall (0) and Ali Syed (3) came and went but Matt Roberts, steered the innings home with a 61 not out, his innings including 7 fours.
Brilliant work from Choccy's men and another magnificent season for the 2nd XI. We will, of course, have more to come once the season completes next week.
Meanwhile, back at home, things were far less routine for Burty's 1st XI.
You'd be forgiven for thinking the 12 point victory was absolutely routine given that we bowled out the visitors for 75 in the first innings.
Some astounding bowling figures left LIttleborough in no position to get a victory as the rain clouds built and built. Like a binary automaton, Fergus Bailey's figures were 1 for 11 off 11 with 0 extras. Completely shutting down one end and allowing Ocky and Baz to reap the rewards. The pro got 3/23 and Trip extended his record with another 3 wickets for just 8 runs.
But things were far from routine.
The spiciness began in the tea room - and it wasn't just Fiona's fajitas. A lively (let's call it) debate ensued between our lads and members of the opposition who had been goading the champions-elect all afternoon. It was thanks to Joe McCluskie that things were brought to a calm as the hard-hitting batter diffused tensions with a perfectly timed comedy fall.
Normality restored, our openers went out to bat chasing the low target and all was rosy until Bedders fell for 24. We went from 29/1 to 31/5 in an astounding spell of play. Littleborough's sub-pro, Zafar Gohar ripping through our attack.
Our former captain and stand-in bar-steward-who-bats-a-bit, Daniel Pickup got the second highest score of the innings and the match with 19, eventually being run out.
We limped over the line with 1 wicket victory, but most importantly collected 12 points and head to second-placed Darwen this Sunday with a 3 point lead at the top.
Champions again-again, ole ole?
TUESDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER
U11s v East Lancs | 5.30pm opening
No junior training, as a reminder. There will be indoor training in the new year, including for All Stars. Thanks so much for your patience and attendance when the weather did permit this year.
Why does it always rain on Tuesdays?!
WEDNESDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER
U15s v Haslingden | 5.30pm opening
THURSDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER
U11s v Whalley & Senior Training | 5.30pm opening
FRIDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER
U15s v Walsden | 5.30pm opening
SATURDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER
U9s v Enfield, 3rdXI v Enfield | 9am opening
A bumper day of cricket to close off the junior and 3rdXI season. Join us for a brew and some junior cricket and stay for an afternoon watching Andy Beet's 3rdXI team containing, no doubt, some future stars of BCC.
U9s start at 9am. 3rd XI at 12.30pm.
SUNDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER
Ladies Super 8s, U9s v Whalley, 2nd XI v Darwen | 9am opening
A double header of cricket to start the day. There'll be plenty of buzz as our ladies and U9s start the day together.
The 2024 Lancashire League 2nd XI Champions bring the curtain down on another magnificent season at the boohoo.com Turf Moor ground.
As mentioned, the 1st XI head over to Dar-ren in a winner-takes-all title decider.
Bring. It. Home.
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