Match-Day 23 Weekly Round-Up By Graham Hardcastle
By Graham Hardcastle
Irfan Puda inspired Astley Bridge secured a top-12 place in next season’s Anthony Axford North West Cricket League by the skin of their teeth following a remarkable Saturday win at Salesbury.
This wasn’t quite a winner takes all game as Salesbury still beat the cut and will be playing top division cricket in 2024 courtesy of claiming seven points from a final round game which saw them bowl Astley Bridge out for 92 but fail to chase the low target.
But both teams started the day knowing they could miss out.
Ultimately, this game was decided by Puda’s heroics. He firstly hit a vital 20 off 47 balls from number nine before taking a brilliant 5-16 from eight overs as Bridge claimed their 11th win from 23 matches, finishing ninth.
One of his wickets was Salesbury sub professional James Bracey caught at long-on for an innings-high 27.
Bracey, batting at number three, played two Tests for England against New Zealand as recently as 2021 and hit a double century for Gloucestershire in last month’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup.
“He got off to a good start, but it did almost feel like every single run was on him,” said Astley Bridge captain Matthew Hargraves. “No disrespect to Salesbury, but I felt they were relying on the pro a bit.
“It’s always a bit daunting coming up against someone like that with the record he’s got.
“But we felt we had a real chance if we got him early, which we did. He came down the track and tried to smash Irfan for six and was caught at long-on. It was a good catch (by Millen Patel).”
Opener Krishnan Patel top-scored for visitors Bridge with 21, while Elliott Simpson claimed 4-32 from 12 overs for Salesbury, who finished 11th, added to Ollie Wetton’s three wickets.
In reply, Salesbury reached 34-1, only for Bracey’s departure to spark a collapse to 60-8. A recovery followed to 83-8, only for Puda to strike again and Haaris Akhtar to take the winning wicket.
“Before the game, there were a few nerves – in both camps, to be honest,” continued Hargraves. “It was a bit of a crunch match.
“We were a bit nervous going into the second innings as well!
“But as soon as we got a few early wickets, we settled down and felt we had a real chance.
“Irfan was absolutely brilliant with the ball and bat. With the bat, I said, ‘Go and play your natural game, build a partnership’. That’s exactly what he did. I couldn’t ask for much more.”
So, once the dust settles on this close shave, how does Hargraves mastermind progression in 2024?
“We need to improve,” he said. “We were slightly unlucky with a few of the rained off games. We had a couple where we were in decent positions.
“A few new signings need to be made. We’re looking for a new pro (to replace Lesiba Ngoepe). We want a definite batter who can contribute a bit with the ball. That’s been a decent fit for us over the last couple of years.
“We’re re-signing Ulli (Bronkhorst, South Africa) as overseas amateur. He’s a great player and a great lad around the club, helping with junior training and things like that.
“A few of the senior players didn’t have the best season they’ve ever had. We need to step up next year.
“If we do, we can hopefully push for the top half of the top division.”
And on the first year of the NWCL, Hargraves added: “It’s been a great year.
Boddie’s eight-for was one of two outstanding weekend bowling performances in bottom half dead rubbers as Walkden captain Mustafa Bashir claimed a fabulous 9-36 from 10 in a Sunday win at Baxenden.
Bashir’s haul was the second best of entire season and Boddie’s the third.
In all six bowlers took six or more wickets as the inaugural NWCL campaign ended.
Boddie starred as Oswaldtwistle skittled Atherton for 39 as they pursued only 53, the hosts winning by 13 runs. Earlier, Atherton’s Mo Nazim impressed with 7-23 from 10.3 overs.
Baxenden v bottom side Walkden was played on Sunday. Harris Khan bucked the bowling trend with a superb 128 in Walkden’s 264-9 before Bashir bulldozed Baxenden for 80.
South African sub professional Ruhan Pretorius returned a magnificent new ball 7-37 from 11 overs to help Ribblesdale Wanderers secure a top-flight place for 2024 as they won at Whalley, bowling their hosts out for 80 in a nine-wicket win.
Wanderers finished 10th in this season’s inaugural Premiership with 13 wins and are one of a trio of former Ribblesdale League clubs to have finished in the top 12 ahead of next summer’s two-divisional split.
Salesbury are another, despite losing our featured game at home to Astley Bridge.
Padiham are the other. They won by eight wickets at Farnworth, completing a stunning week which saw them win the Hamer Cup and leapfrog Farnworth into fourth to seal a place in next season’s Lancashire Knockout.
Their 14th win was secured as pro Jack Edgar’s superb new ball 6-25 from nine overs bowled Farnworth out for 93. His 35 in reply was usurped by Callum Clarke’s brisk 48. Padiham were presented with their Hamer Cup trophy on Saturday.
Hosts Tonge beat Farnworth Social Circle by 102 runs to seal the division’s all important 12th place.
Hasib Patel’s brilliant 88 off 63 balls with nine sixes from number six recovered Tonge from 55-4 to 213-7. He then returned 3-20 in Social Circle’s 111 all out.
Social Circle surrendered second place to Lostock, who beat Read by 94 runs to dash their top-12 hopes.
Lostock sub pro Beck Frostick’s 98 underpinned 261-7 before Tom Sheen struck four times in Read’s 167 all out.
Lostock’s 14th win means they finish 21 points behind champions Little Lever, who were beaten for the third weekend running, by 17 runs at home to Brinscall.
Liam Winstanley top-scored with 27 in Brinscall’s 130 all out (Andrew Worden, 5-27).
Visiting overseas amateur Zadian Muller then claimed a new ball 6-30 from 10 overs to bowl Little Lever out for 113. The champions were presented with their trophy, however.
Blackrod, Kearsley and Eagley finished sixth, seventh and eighth.
Hosts Blackrod lost to Settle by 43 runs, bowled out for 162 chasing 206. Settle’s excellent overseas amateur Tremaine Dowrich opened up with 86 in 205 all out before claiming 3-32.
Kearsley chased 98 to win by seven wickets at Cherry Tree (97 all out), denying the hosts the chance to finish in the top 12. Charlie Dorsey shone with 4-24 and 31 not out.
Hosts Eagley beat Feniscowles in a three-run thriller. After posting 177 all out, fledging spinner Luca Doyle starred with a new ball 5-39 from 12 overs as Feniscowles slumped from 132-1 to 174 all out.
Earby sub pro Ockie Erasmus was key to their six-wicket win at Barnsoldswick in a bottom half dead rubber.
