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02/05/2009 - Versus Colne (Home)
The game started in very unusual circumstances, due to continuing immigration issues for overseas professionals, both clubs fielded a team without a genuine professional. League rules, however, state that every club must have a named professional therefore Church named first XI coach and ex professional Mark Aspin for the day following substitute pro Rizwan Malik not turning up for the match! Not exactly the manner Mark Aspin expected to fulfill a lifelong ambition to pro in the Lancashire league after retiring from all forms of the game in 2005. Colne incidentally named a second XI player as their professional for the day.
Church won the toss and elected field on a difficult day at the WECG. On a wicket highly conducive to bowling, the match yielded little in the way of runs throughout the day. Following a promising start, Colne’s innings began to capitulate, going from 40 for 2 to 95 all out after 33 overs. Colne’s innings could have been a lot worse but for a lackluster performance in the field by Church with several regulation catches going down. Sam Holt was pick of the bowlers for Church with figures of 5-18 off 7 overs. Despite the difficult conditions, 95 was a well below par score. Other contributors with the ball were skipper Phil Gilrane with 3-21 off 10 overs and Andy Bentley 2-38 off 10.
Requiring 96 to win and therefore run rate seemingly irrelevant, Church made very difficult work of a run chase which required application and occupation of the crease. Church lost wickets at regular intervals but contributions from Philip Sykes (18), Adam Greenwood (23) and an innings of grit, determination and application from stand in professional Mark Aspin (11 not out) led Church to victory. The game ended in dramatic fashion, with Church achieving the required target with only 1 wicket remaining, this tense and nail biting conclusion, however, resulted in a vital first win of the season and maximum points for Church.
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Church & Oswaldtwistle
Cricket Club
West End Ground
Blackburn Road
Oswaldtwistle
Accrington
Lancashire
Tel: (01254) 385094
© Church & Oswaldtwistle Cricket Club 2008
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