Milnrow finish season with a thumping victory away

Milnrow finished the 2015, and final CLL, season with a thumping victory away at Elton on Sunday, but they were ulitmately left disappointed by their third placed finish in the CLL Championship and the prospect of starting in the Championship of the new Pennine League.

After a strong finish to the season and seven wins out of eight, Milnrow were hoping to sneak above Middleton and in to the runner's up spot that would guarantee cricket in the top flight next season. However, it was not to be as Middleton went to Crompton on Sunday and pulled off the victory that they required to secure second place.

Earlier in the day, Milnrow thrashed Elton by nine wickets.

Bowling first, Milnrow started tightly but, with the introduction of deputy professional Babar Naeem, wickets tumbled regularly. With Milnrow's professional, James Price, breaking his hand in a recent game at Middleton, Milnrow turned to their professional from the 2012 and 2013 season as they sought to win this crucial match. Naeem bowled with his usual skill and variety and the Elton batsmen could not deal with all the questions his left arm bowling asked. They were bowled out for 61, with Naeem taking 7 for 19 from 12 overs.

Naeem was ably supported by Declan Wilkinson, who finished with 3 for 9 from his five overs. Wilkinson now leaves for six months cricket in Australia, with the well wishes of all Milnrow supporters behind him.

Milnrow knocked the runs off for the loss of only one wicket, Steve Dryden for 16 runs, inside 20 overs.

Crabtree finished his excellent season with 28 not out and Naeem made 13 not out.

It was all over before 3pm and was another resounding outright win for the Milnrow outfit, hwoever, it did not result in promotion due to the result at Crompton.