1st XI vs Astley Bridge 1st X1 (a)
Saturday 06 September 2025

Ribblesdale Wanderers 2nd XI take on Barnsoldwick 2nd XI at Church Meadow needing a victory to reclaim top spot and secure promotion to the NWCL Conference Premiership. Having won the toss and elected to bat, the visitors were immediately put under pressure. A missed run-out chance in the very first over was quickly forgotten as the experienced Graeme Kershaw struck with his first delivery, a sharp catch taken brilliantly down the leg side by wicketkeeper Stephen Tandy (2-1).

Skipper Travis Blezard then took charge, dismantling the top order with two quick wickets to leave Barnoldswick reeling at 26-3. Just as the visitors' number four began to settle and hit boundaries, Charlie Windsor was introduced into the attack and made an instant impact, clean bowling the set batter with sheer pace to make it 64-4. The wickets continued to tumble. Jack Fielding (1) claimed a catch well held by Andrew Hutchins, and Windsor struck again, with Hutchins taking another safe pair of hands in the outfield (88-6).

A stubborn partnership threatened to rebuild before a moment of brilliance from behind the stumps broke it; Stephen Tandy completed a lightning-fast leg-side stumping off the bowling of George Kerr (108-7). The very next ball brought controversy, as Kerr seemingly bowled the new batter, only for the umpire’s not-out decision to cause confusion. It mattered little, as Kerr emphatically castled the very next delivery with no question asked (108-8). A sharp run-out from the ever-involved Andrew Hutchins (117-9) preceded Kerr wrapping up the innings, finishing with excellent figures as Barnoldswick were dismissed for 117 in the 43rd over. It was a superb, disciplined bowling and fielding performance, setting up what seemed a straightforward run chase.

The chase began steadily before Kristian Collinge was bowled with the score on 19. Stephen Tandy and Andrew Hutchins looked to be building a platform, but when Tandy was bowled for 15 and Stewart Trotter was dismissed LBW for a golden duck, the nerves began to jangle at 34-3. What followed was a full-blown collapse that threatened to undo the excellent work of the bowlers. Mack Burgess (4) and Josh Dean (1) fell cheaply, before skipper Travis Blezard was bowled for 3, leaving the home side in dire straits at 51-6. The situation went from bad to catastrophic when the stubborn Andrew Hutchins (10) was caught at slip, making it 57-7 and leaving Church Meadow in a state of stunned silence.

With the innings in tatters, Charlie Windsor and Jack Fielding decided attack was the only form of defence. Windsor launched a stunning counter-assault, smashing a vital 27 from just 26 balls to reignite hope. Just as momentum shifted, he was bowled with the score on 88-8. The experienced Graeme Kershaw joined Fielding, and the pair carefully navigated the score into the 90s before Fielding was dismissed for a gutsy contribution, leaving the Wanderers on the brink at 94-9, still 24 runs adrift.

To the crease came George Kerr, already a hero with the ball but now battling a injury sustained in the field, severely limiting his ability to run. What followed was pure theatre. His first ball was dispatched back over the bowler's head for a magnificent four. Suddenly, belief flooded back across the meadow. With immense composure, Kershaw and Kerr picked their shots, working the ball into gaps and scampering for painful, desperate singles. The tension was unbearable as the target was whittled down. Needing 6 to win, Kerr expertly guided a ball down to third man for another crucial boundary. The field came in. Two runs were needed. With glory in sight, George Kerr decided to finish it in style, launching the winning runs over mid-wicket for a boundary to spark delirious celebrations on and off the field. The injured hero and the veteran had guided the Wanderers to an incredible, against-all-odds victory by one wicket.

This was more than a win; it was a statement of character. A game that will be spoken about for years to come, a testament to a team that simply refuses to give up. Every player contributed, but special appreciation must go to the tail-enders who held their nerve under immense pressure. With this victory, Ribblesdale Wanderers 2nd XI have secured promotion to the NWCL Conference Premiership! The job is not yet complete, however. The league title is now within touching distance. All eyes turn to next Saturday’s fixture away at Lostock. One more win for the title. Up the Wanderers!