Lancashire League Handbook 2021

18 SECRETARY’S REPORT 2021 As I begin this report I reflect back on where we were 12 months ago, before the pandemic struck. We had nearly everything in place for the 2020 season, handbooks sent to the printers, balls ordered, fixtures ready and umpires appointments being arranged by Barry Evans. We were ready for our second season of two divisional cricket with promotion and relegation providing competitive cricket. Colne had made it into the top division and were joined by Middleton with Accrington and Church passing them on the way. Little did we know then how different cricket would become in 2020. The Executive had to devise some form of season and from the feedback received the Presidents Cup format satisfied most Clubs. Five of our Clubs had Uk based professionals, Burnley, Littleborough, Middleton, Norden and Ramsbottom who competed in Group A. Groups B, C & D consisted of three groups of 6, all of which had all amateur sides. The winner of each group would then partake in semi finals with any side playing against a team from Group A being permitted to engage a professional for the match. Matches were played on a 40 overs per side basis with each bowler limited to 8 overs. Ramsbottom won group A with 3 wins and one no result and progressed to their semi finals against Clitheroe of Group C who had 4 wins and one no result. This playing record was identical in Groups B & D with Church earning a home draw against 2018 champions Walsden. In the semi finals, Ramsbottom hosted Clitheroe and made 176/3 from their 40 overs with Kieran Grimshaw top scoring with 63 and Daryn Smit making 60 not out. Clitheroe fell short as they were 127 all out in just short of 33 overs with sub pro Josh Cobb scoring 42, supported with 39 from Ally Ross. Church had home advantage over Walsden, and were asked to bat first. Kelan Florentine made 52 in a total of 145 all out in 36 overs. In reply Walsden lost 2 wickets for 22 and Josh Gale was retired hurt but returned later in the innings to help his side draw close to Church but in the end fall just 5 shorts of the hosts total. Ramsbottom were drawn at home to Church who engaged Neil Hornbuckle as professional for the match Church won the toss and elected to bat and made a useful 170 for 8 from their overs, paid man Hornbuckle top scoring with 43 supported by skipper Levi Wolfenden with 31 after Stuart Crabtree (23) and Sam Holt (24) had put on 55 for the first wicket. Ramsbottom lost JJ Fielding first ball but steadied the ship with a partnership of 46 between Simon Hanson and Kieran Grimshaw who anchored the innings, carrying his bat from the second ball of the match in making 60 not out. The match progressed to the final over with Ramsbottom needing 15 to win. Despite the best efforts of