RYAN TAKES 5 AS FIRSTS GO TOP

Ry Marsh picked up his first five wicket haul of the campaign as the first team juggernaut rolled on to the top of the table. After miraculous work on the ground from the usual suspects (thanks lads), the firsts were able to host Deane and Derby in what proved to be a fractious and closely contested affair. The visitors batted first and after a 50 run opening stand were reduced to 55-3 as Ryan got into the wickets. The innings never got going after that, but a few short attacking knocks down the order propelled the score to a competitive 143 all out. Ry finished with 5-31 and was ably assisted by Lenny who picked up four very welcome wickets.

The Totts reply got off to a tricky start with in-form skipper Phil departing early. Lachie made it look easy with a fluent 58 from 71 balls, but a flurry of middle order wickets left the home side at 108-5. With so many matches either abandoned or won easily, the middle and lower order hasn't been tested, but this provided the ideal opportunity. Smalley dug in and then Nathan and man of the match Ryan put on 27 to ease the Saints to victory - it's amazing what Ry can achieve when he's not looking for imaginary holes in the netting! The win took Totts to the top of the table as they look to return back to Division 1 at the first attempt.

Over at a damp Unsworth, the 2nds had "one of those days", a real mixed bag of a fielding performance and then a poor collapse to hand the game to the home side. Having won the toss the home side batted first and the openers quickly got into their rhythm despite great efforts from Faisal and Watty. The latter took the first wicket and was unlucky not to pick up more as the usual catching curse struck. In very windy conditions, the ball was continually launched just over people's heads or into gaps and Totts looked to be in for a tough afternoon as the score reached 99 for 1. The Doc and Nick T were introduced in a bid to take pace off the ball, and this provided immediate dividends with both picking up wickets fairly quickly. Nick would go to bag a career best 7-47 with an outlandish mix of absolute pies and some gems, while Paul was keeping things very tight at the other end. The pair bowled through to the end of the innings, the last 9 Unsworth wickets falling for just 43. One interesting note in the home side's batting performance was a lad who came to the crease with no socks on, prompting some ridicule from the close-in fielders.

A superb tea was on offer, with an assortment of pies, lasagne and more - a much appreciated effort from the tea ladies on a freezing afternoon!

The Totts reply got off to a slow but steady start, despite the early loss of Sam who was having a bit of a shocker after a big Friday night out. Young Lucas was showing a very straight bat, and Watty played a solid knock to get the score to the 50 mark. Once Lucas was given out LBW, Doc and Watty looked to be taking charge before Watty's entire lower body decided to break down and he swung wildly straight after the drinks break to leave us 63-3. With scoreboard pressure mounting, Doc and Faisal departed quickly and the middle order fell away completely to leave us 81-8. Clive and James then put on a decent partnership, with Clive rolling back the years and launching several excellent shots in a rapid 24. Ultimately it was too late however, with the run rate beyond the tail and we ended up about 20 short in what should have been a comfortable chase.

On Sunday, the 3rds lost a weather affected Cup game with Royton at the Meadows. From 45-1, the Totts innings fell away to 120 all out, with Lucas again impressing for his 24 and late order runs from Katie and Marshy. That said, the visitors might still have been pegged back had their target not been reduced to 111. The Totts bowlers worked very hard to take eight wickets, with Marshy and Katie again impressing, each picking up three. Sadly it wasn't to be, as visiting batsman Fawcett blasted 76 from just 54 balls in a one man performance to lead Royton to victory. This leaves the 2nds as the only side left in the weekend cup competitions this year.

Thanks as always to everyone who played, spectated, supported, worked on the ground and bar, and scored. Onwards and upwards!