FIRSTS BACK ON TRACK IN SUMMER SUN

The end of May and early June have seen some impressive wins for the firsts, including a thrilling 20/20 win against a strong Brooksbottom outfit. The last weekend of May found the firsts up against former Bolton League outfit Daisy Hill, and despite only posting 96, the TSJ bowling team of Smalley, Burns and Hickson shout out the visitors for just 81 to record a superb victory. The 1sts followed that up with an even more impressive effort against our old friends from East Lancs, racking up 261 thanks to Bret's boundary-laden 132 and a decent 46 from Matty Hall. East Lancs were never really in the hunt, only Anwar really getting going with 48 out of 165. Matt Smalley captured 6 wickets to see the Totts boys home.

Sandwiched in between was another entertaining Friday night affair, with a decent Brox side turning up for the latest round of the GMCL 20/20 competititon. The boys were in powerful batting form, with Bret smashing a rapid 86 from just 52 balls! Smalley provided capable support as the Saints knocked up a highly competitive 181. Brox started well, but once dangermen Gowers and Ogden were removed, the Totts bowling line up kept the remainder under control to close out the innings for 161. Burns, Smalley and Bret did most of the damage with eight wickets from their collective overs.

The seconds have suffered from a shortage of key players in recent times, and successive defeats against Egerton and Royton have slowed the momentum after the blistering early season form. Stand-in skipper Russ Brooks impressed against Royton with a run a ball half century out of 97, while Si Marsh's three wickets against Egerton was a bowling highlight.

The thirds game with Winton was postponed this weekend, giving the lads and lasses a chance to recover from the heavy defeat against Woodbank the previous week, their first stumbling block of the season against a very strong Sunday side.

Hopefully with continued good weather (and better squad availability!) the coming weekend will give everyone the opportunity to continue the good on-field progress that 2021 has seen to date.