Rochdale lose last ball thriller

There can hardly have been a better game of league cricket than the one on display at Redbrook on Sunday when Rochdale lost on the final ball to Monton and Weaste.

Needing eight to win off the last over, Monton’s last wicket pair Josh Lenihan and Aamir Riaz scurried three singles before Lenihan hit Dale Highton to the square leg boundary off the penultimate ball. Then with the field in to stop the single, he drove the last ball over the top to the delight of his teammates.

Only the most churlish of Dale supporter could deny the visitors their victory, which was merited for the way they chased down the victory target of 216.

Their innings was given a terrific start by the immensely promising Furquan Shafiq, who quickly saw off Rochdale’s new ball attack. He received solid support from Jake Sandham who was content to play second fiddle, but when Shafiq was brilliantly caught, low down by Wes Landsdale off his own bowling, Sandham took over Shafiq’s attacking mantle and at 189 for 3 Monton were cruising.

Highton and Lansdale were far from done. Landsdale had Niki Bouwer caught at the wicket and Highton bowled Sandham. Monton started to wobble and the flow of runs dried up until that last over.

Earlier Dom Ayres with a characteristically belligerent 46 had got Dale off to a terrific start and with Jack Avery he put on 71 for the first wicket. But the introduction of South African test off spinner Simon Harmer into the attack signalled an absorbing passage of cricket as you are likely to see.

The contest between him and his co spinner Aaamir Riaz and Dale’s Landsdale and Marradon Bend was nothing short of riveting featuring the accuracy of the bowlers and the technique and patience of the batsmen. Still, without hardly receiving a loose delivery the batsmen managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over until eventually both fell to Harmer with Dale still well short of a winning total.

However, the game swung back Dale’s way as the final overs provided massive entertainment courtesy of a marvellous exhibition of hitting from Tom Avery, who bludgeoned 32 from only 22 balls which gave them a total that they almost managed to defend.

Scores: Rochdale 215 for 6 off in 49 overs. (Ayres 46, Landsdale 42, Bend 36). Monton and Weaste 219 for 7 off in 49 overs. ( Sandham 78, Shafiq 68, Highton 4/92)

Rochdale enjoyed greater success on Saturday when they easily beat a strangely subdued Heywood at Crimble. On a pitch offering some assistance to the seamers, Dale posted 191, mainly thanks to another fine display from the in form Wes Landsdale.

Tom Avery then ripped through Heywood’s top order, and when Mo Bux trapped Heywood’s professional Rob Nicholl in front the home side were in disarray at 12 for 4.

Only a defiant half century by Liam Mason saved them from total embarrassment, but the game was over as a contest long before the cap went round for his collection.
Scores: Rochdale 191 all out in 48.3 overs ( Landsdale 70, Bend 36, Pawson 4/54). Heywood 94 all out in 333.2 overs. (Mason 56 not out, T. Avery 3/20, Highton 3/29)