SalfordOnline
Your local community website
   Clifton knock over shaky Walsden
by Steve Eccles
After the nail-biting events of last weekend, it was a totally opposite experience on Sunday after Saturday’s disappointing wash-out at Manchester Road. Walsden have traditionally been difficult opponents during Clifton’s time in the Central Lancashire League, but Sunday’s game was as one sided an affair as they had ever experienced as the hosts were bundled out unceremoniously for just 69 leaving Hendro Puchert with 7-37 and the Walsden tea ladies in a fluster as four wickets fell for one run. Seventy-seven wicket Andy Hough had a watching brief for Clifton Cricket Club on Sunday as medium pace held the key to victory at Walsden. Greg Jennings played the support role with two crucial strikes and an inch perfect boundary return to provide a narrow run out decision for the umpire. The match then lasted just 10.3 further overs as Puchert and Chris Lord knocked off the required runs after Andy Griffiths played a bit of “catch me” practice with the fielder at point. Andy Lord (4-43) was the pick of the bowlers as Clifton’s 2nd XI made it another 5 point day after chasing 143. Adam Holt (61*) and Darren King (61) were the instigators of an eight wicket win which was remarkable in that the visitors appeared to give up on any prospect of victory with almost a hundred still needed for the win. Once the two half-centurions had recovered from the loss of Matty Tye, the fielding side seemed to throw in the towel, allowing the 2nds to coast to victory. Clifton thirds picked up six points from their two games, which effectively, though not mathematically, means that the spectre of relegation has been dispelled. A single point from Friday’s rearranged fixture with Prestwich had the nerves jangling, but a season’s ‘double’ five point max against Littleborough on Monday was a welcome tonic after successive defeats stretching back to early July. Richard Borritt took four wickets and then shared a 100 partnership with Phil Royle (61) in the six wicket success. Due to problems with spam only SalfordOnline members can now leave comments. Becoming a member of SalfordOnline only takes a minute, just hit the red Join Us button at the top right hand side of the page to create your Personal account. Got a news story? Need help with publicity for an event in Salford? Send it to newsdesk@salfordonline.com or call the SalfordOnline newsdesk on 0161 789 5377. |
