Rochdale beat Norden by 11 runs

Rochdale beat Norden by 11 runs at Redbrook on Saturday in a match that put on view all the top qualities of competitive league cricket.

Fortunes fluctuated throughout the afternoon with both sides sharing periods of ascendancy until Rochdale prevailed with two balls to spare when James O’Neill stumped Chris Hartley off Wes Landsdale – the third identical dismissal in the last over.

First blood had gone to the visitors who reduced Rochdale to 18 for 2 before a stand of 82 between professional Landsdale and Marradon Bend gave Dale the initiative. But after his Norden counterpart, Daniel Salpietro had Landsdale caught at the wicket for 48, Rochdale collapsed to 123 for 7, and only a partnership of 50 for the eighth wicket between O’Neill and Tom Avery, which helped elevate the final total to 179 for 8, provided Rochdale with any hope.

That hope rapidly began to fade when Salpietro and Simon Harman, Norden’s opening pair, set off like a train.

They rattled along to 50 off only nine overs, but then things changed. Michael Harling replaced Tom Avery in Dale’s attack and suddenly the batsmen started to play and miss. Salpietro edged to Landsdale at slip and Harman was unluckily given out caught at the wicket.

With the accurate Dale Highton in support of Harling, batting became a chore for a time and Simon North and Michael Pimm strove to restore the balance for their team. They put on 50 for the fifth wicket before North drove Highton to mid-off. But the required run rate was now rising and with Norden unable to find boundaries the game swung back Dale’s way.

Landsdale was had been introduced into the attack with his off spinners and 21 were needed off the last three overs. The dangerous Martin Smith top edged him to Derek Faulkner at long leg and Norden’s and the game swung conclusively Rochdale’s way. Landsdale’s three wickets in four balls in the last over provided the icing on Rochdale’s cake, giving them maximum points in the process.

As a result, Norden dropped to second in the table, behind Walsden, while for Rochdale, it is clear that the return of Harling has made them a force to be reckoned with.

Scores:
Rochdale 179 for 8. (Landsdale 48, Bend 40, T. Avery 36. Salpietro 4 for 48) Norden 168 all out. (Pimm 31, Harman 27, North 25. Landsdale 5 for 36, Harling 3 for 41)