The 1st XI hosted Walkden CC at Church Meadow in a crucial North West Cricket League Championship clash. Walkden won the toss and elected to bat, with skipper Bilal Ahmed handing the new ball to the Britcliffe duo to open the attack.
Walkden made a steady start before Jordan Britcliffe broke through, clean bowling one of the openers with the score at 41/1. The visitors then dug in, building a strong partnership as Ribblesdale struggled to find a breakthrough. The resistance was finally broken when Waqas Rafique struck with an LBW, leaving Walkden at 132/2.
Michael Worthy was introduced into the attack and made an immediate impact, claiming a wicket in his first over (143/3). Rafique struck again soon after, with Hammad Amin completing a sharp stumping to reduce Walkden to 150/4.
Another small partnership followed before Worthy took control, ripping through the middle order with three quick wickets—two bowled and one caught by Heshan—leaving Walkden reeling at 195/7. Waqar Rafique then joined the party, taking two wickets in four balls, one of them caught by Heshan, to make it 207/9. Worthy wrapped up the innings with his fifth wicket, dismissing Walkden for 216 in 43.3 overs.
Bowling Highlights:
- Michael Worthy: 5.4 overs, 5 wickets for 44 runs (a superb five-wicket haul)
- Waqas Rafique: 12 overs, 4 wickets for 49 runs
In reply, Ribblesdale’s chase got off to a disastrous start as openers Hammad Amin and Jordan Kelly were both dismissed for ducks inside the first three overs (2/2). Waqar Rafique fell soon after, leaving the Wanderers in deep trouble at 3/2.
Mack Spencer provided brief resistance before being clean bowled (19/4), but Heshan stood firm, anchoring the innings alongside Mack Burgess. The pair steadied the ship with a 38-run partnership before Burgess was bowled (57/5). Skipper Bilal Ahmed joined Heshan but was tragically run out shortly after (76/6).
The collapse continued as Jordan Britcliffe (run out, 88/7) and Michael Worthy (duck, 89/8) fell in quick succession, leaving Heshan to battle with the tail. The professional took charge, playing a magnificent counterattacking innings, reaching a well-deserved half-century. With Joel Blackledge offering support, Heshan upped the aggression in search of an unlikely victory.
However, his heroic effort ended on 93 (off just 84 balls) when he was bowled attempting another clever shot (136/9). Blackledge was the last man to fall, leaving Ian Britcliffe unbeaten as Ribblesdale were bowled out for 143 in 28 overs.
A disappointing result that deals a significant blow to Ribblesdale’s title and promotion hopes. Heshan’s brilliant 93 was the lone bright spot, but with little support from the top order, the chase fell well short.
The 1st XI must regroup quickly and bounce back next weekend to keep their season ambitions alive.
On to the next one - UP THE WANDERERS!
