Cricket: Norden defeated by Ramsbottom

Norden slipped to their second defeat of the season on Sunday after Ramsbottom’s deputy professional Daryn Smit hit 72 runs in a total of 154 then took six for 26 as Norden stumbled to 135 all out.

There were some bright points for Norden, such as Jake Sandham’s 12-over spell which brought him figures of four for 30, a battling 21 runs from Lee Crabtree, and a decent display from skipper Hashum Malik who took three for 35 and scored an unbeaten 28.

For the second week running Stags had their opponents struggling at the halfway stage of their innings, but the killer instinct – that ability to see a team off, has been sadly lacking. Having said that a winning target of 155 was probably acceptable before start of play.

At 53 for one Ramsbottom looked set for a good score, but they then found themselves on 66 for five.

Sandham had struck first blow when he had Thomas Parton leg before. Greg Butterworth bowled JJ Fielding who had charged the bowler and missed connection, then Simon Hanson smacked a Sandham delivery straight into the safe hands of Josh Tolley.

Rehan Udwadia was given out caught behind by Lee Crabtree after a lengthy wait for the finger to be raised, and Sandham bowled Bradley Fielding to put Ramsbottom on the rocks.

The lifeboat was provided by Smit whose knock was never spectacular, but certainly crucial. He and Jon Fielding stopped the collapse. Fielding’s part was minor, but the score had moved on into three figures by the time he was bowled by Malik for 10.

Jack Wynn and Daniel Pyke failed to score, and Owen Collinge was run out by a direct hit from Greg Butterworth.

Smith was last man out, caught on the boundary by Steve Pimm.

Josh Tolley survived an enormous appeal first ball of the reply, but Ramsbottom didn’t have long to wait for a breakthrough, Harvey Fitton being bowled by Wynn for a duck.

Tolley fell with the total on 35, given leg before to Wynn, and a collapse was on.

Saif Bhojani was clean bowled by Wynn, Sandham was bowled by Smit after charging and swiping, Greg Butterworth was bowled by Smit, and Dom Humphreys was leg before to Jon Fielding.

At 88 for six it was doubtful that Norden could even get among the consolation batting points, and when Steve Pimm was trapped leg before by Smit, followed by Smit bowling Joe Humphreys it looked virtually impossible.

But Malik and Crabtree edged the reply closer and closer to the needed target.

With 20 needed and overs in the bag it looked possible for a Norden win, but Crabtree was then given out leg before to what looked a horrible decision, and Chris Humphreys fell without addition.

Ramsbottom

• JJ Fielding b Butterworth 29
• T Parton lbw Sandham 13
• S Hanson c Tolley b Sandham 8
• D Smit c Pimm b Malik 72
• R Udwadia c Crabtree b Sandham 0
• B Fielding b Sandham 1
• JM Fielding b Malik 10
• J Wynn c C Humphreys b Malik 0
• D Pyke c and b Butterworth 0
• O Collinge run out 6
• M Burdaky not out 4
• Extras 11
• Total 154
• Bowling: Sandham 12-2-30-4; C Humphreys 9-2-32-0; Butterworth 15-1-56-2; Malik 12.3-1-35-3.

Norden

• J Tolley lbw Wynn 23
• H Fitton b Wynn 0
• S Bhojani b Wynn 8
• J Sandham b Smit 15
• D Humphreys lbw JM Fielding 11
•  G Butterworth b Smit 3
• L Crabtree lbw Smit 21
• S Pimm lbw Smit 2
• J Humphreys b Smit 0
• H Malik not out 28
• C Humphreys st Parton b Smit 0
• Extras 24
• Total 135
• Bowling: JM Fielding 13-6-27-1; Wynn 8-3-33-3; Smit 14-3-26-6; Pyke 4-0-9-0; Collinge 1-0-20-0; Hanson 3-0-9-0