U15s report

Burnley 138/3 (18 overs)

Bacup 161-2 (18 overs)

On a bright but chilly evening Bacup U15s played their first game of the season at home to Burnley.

Having lost the toss and been asked to bat, a fast start was set by the openers Adam Goddard and Jake Sercombe. Adam in particular was in punishing form, eventually scoring 40 not out. Jake was more steady picking the gaps, although he too hit a six to mid-on. With Adam retired, Laurie Williams joined Jake and followed suit keeping the run-rate up, hitting especially well to leg side on numerous occasions. Burnley had introduced a good fast bowler and the two of these batted well against him, only for Jake to fall on 28 to a spinner at the other end.

Mason Hayhurst joined Laurie and after taking a look at a couple of balls, set about the Burnley bowlers strongly, particularly striking well behind square on leg side. Laurie had his middle stump removed with a good delivery, out for 21 bringing Zac Richardson to the crease.  With overs running out these two continued to attack the bowlers, both hitting boundaries square on leg side, Mason down the hill, Zac up the hill.  Having reached 39 Mason ran an easy single for an accomplished 40 n.o.. This left just one delivery for Henry Collinge to join Zac at the none strikers end. No extra balls meant Henry ended up 0 not out (without facing a ball) while Zac ended on 11 n.o.

Adam Goddard and Laurie Williams opened up the bowling and were met with two solid openers from Burnley. The first four overs were a good contest between bat and ball, with run rate being restricted to just 4 per over and Laurie picking up an early wicket with a fullish delivery bowling A Hussains’ (10) middle stump. The incoming number three H Dickenson took no time to settle in and with the steepling required run rate, hit strongly to long off against Isaac Greenwood from the start. At the other end Henry Collinge bowled more economically with really good line and length. Introduction of spin from Jake Sercombe slowed the scoring rate. At the other end  Henry took a wicket at the other end bowling the Burnley captain and Opener J Gurman (9).  Dickenson retired shortly after for a well batted 40 n.o.

With two new batsmen at the crease Bacup seemed to have regained control, but Burnley countered once more. After a tight first over bowled,  K Hussain hit Phoebe Williams for boundaries in her second over and with J Beet rotating the strike sensibly this helped Burnley bring down the required runs to 45 from 4 overs. With the sun setting over the hill, and having kept wicket well all innings, Mason Hayhurst turned to spin in the 15th over and with only 6 runs scored, the ask was up to 13 per over. In the 16th Jake Sercombe had the dangerous Hussain (36) stumped by Adam Goddard.  J Beet (9 no) and L Sullivan (1 no) saw Burnley to the close but the game was sealed with a 23 run win, with a returning Isaac Greenwood faring much better bowling the last over for just 4 runs.