Cricket: Middleton champions of the Pennine League

Middleton Cricket Club

With both games being washed out over the weekend, this gave Middleton the necessary points required to be crowned Champions of the Pennine Cricket Championship Division.

A fantastic achievement for captain George Walker and his young team for whom the average age is 21 and the first team squad are virtually all local.

Walker is from Boarshaw, the Jones’  from Hollin and Alkrington, whilst Pritchard is from Middleton Junction. All products of the excellent Middleton youth system.

The week had begun with Middleton 14 points clear of rivals Royton with Moorside and the much improved Uppermill close behind.

On Tuesday evening Royton failed in their appeal to reclaim points from the Friarmere abandonment meaning the gap remained at 14 points with three games remaining.

Only two points were needed to claim the title and once Walker turned up at Towncroft at 8am on Saturday morning to see the pitch under water, he knew the title was Middleton's. 

The two points meant that Middleton's long time rivals Royton could not catch them, neither could Uppermill or Moorside.

One of the first to offer congratulations was the sporting Royton captain James Maurice-Scott.

Other teams were quick to offer congratulations including the Ashton president Dave Mellor and the Moorside captain Rick Harrington.

Harrington, one of the most knowledgeable and respected local cricketers of the last 20 years, was full of praise for the Middleton team as he commented: "This is a great achievement for a team so young, who have stuck together, and will need to stick together for the new challenges ahead.

"There are some really talented lads in the team. They have a very good professional in Chris Williams and an enthusiastic captain in young Walker who is learning all the time.

"The opening bowlers are very good, they put teams under pressure right from the off.

"Michael Pritchard is a player who deserves in my opinion special praise. You can tell by his body language that he is a winner who gives it 100% at all times, he is driven and a fine competitor on the pitch. Off the pitch he is always first to shake our hands and have a beer with the opposition. A great player.”

Major factors in winning the title were the return of the Jones brothers and Walker. All three are class batsmen, none more so than Grant Jones, and it was not surprising that the one defeat out of 21 matches came in the one match he was unavailable. With almost 800 runs at an average of 45 he is Mr Reliable and his two centuries this year were a sight to behold.

Professional Williams did the job he was brought in to do, score runs and take wickets. With over 900 runs and 45 wickets in all competitions, this was an excellent debut season. Reliable and a match winner on numerous occasions, he has settled well and his development of several of the youngsters will prove a major asset in the future. The news he has signed for 2018 was greeted with joy from the players and supporters.

With Rick Harrington providing a fitting tribute to Mike Pritchard the other player to single out is young Harry Gee. With 683 runs at an average of 43 the young left-handed bat is quietly going about his business. With coaching and encouragement from his parents, Gee is improving all the time and will be a major asset in the Lancashire League.

The other members of the team all provided valuable contributions: Tahir, Reece Jones, Fodens, Rutter, Tierneys, McGuiness, Le Carpentier and Holland.

A fitting finale to the last ever season in the Pennine League before it folds.