Cricket: Clarkson spins web to put Heywood’s Seconds back on top

Heywood Cricket Club

Lee Clarkson turned in an outstanding bowling performance as Heywood’s second team easily accounted for Failsworth Macedonia to go back joint top of Division Four East of the Greater Manchester League.

The off-spinner was introduced into the attack with the Crimble visitors going well on 46-1 but he quickly transformed the face of the game.

Clarkson took a wicket with his second ball and virtually ran through the rest of the Failsworth innings to close with 7-20 from 13.5 overs.

Chris Kaye also chipped in with 2-5 from eight overs and Rick Purser claimed the other wicket as the visitors fell for 81 from 35.5 overs – which allowed the players to take a break and watch England’s victory in the World Cup!

Heywood did not relax their grip on their game on the resumption. Dominick Fawcett and Jacob Kaye motored stylishly to 51 from 9.3 overs when the former was adjudged lbw for 29. And Kaye followed him for 24 to make it 57-2.

It was the last success for the Failsworth attack as Roger Smethurst, 16, and Chris Booth, 13, saw Heywood comfortably to 83-2 and a maximum points haul.