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1st XI vs. Oswaldtwistle 1st XI (a)
Saturday 28th June 2025



The 1st team headed to Oswaldtwistle with high spirits, aiming to extend their impressive run of form and solidify their position at the summit of the NWCL Championship. With promotion ambitions burning bright, the side knew another strong performance was essential to maintain their momentum.


Skipper Bilal Ahmed won the toss and, assessing the conditions shrewdly, elected to field - a decision that would soon prove inspired. The Britcliffe duo, Ian and Jordan, took the new ball and immediately applied pressure, restricting the hosts' scoring. The opposition batsmen struggled to break free, making steady but slow progress before Ian struck twice and Jordan claimed a scalp of his own, reducing Oswaldtwistle to 47/3. Two more wickets fell as the hosts limped to 86, but the real destruction was yet to come.


Enter Heshan Dhanushka, who delivered a spell of sheer devastation. In just 3.4 overs, including a maiden, he conceded a mere 2 runs while ripping through the middle and lower order with a five-wicket haul (5/2) His unplayable lines and relentless accuracy left Oswaldtwistle in tatters, collapsing from 86/5 to 93 all out - a stunning display that earned the side crucial bowling bonus points!


In reply, the chase began shakily as Abrar Hussain fell without scoring, followed by Jordan Kelly (10) and Waqar Rafique (2), leaving the team in a precarious position at 16/3. With nerves jangling, the ever-reliable duo of Heshan Dhanushka and Mack Spencer stepped up to steady the ship. Dhanushka, fresh from his heroics with the ball, showcased his all-round brilliance with a commanding 39 (including four sixes), while Spencer provided vital support with a gritty 22. Their 59-run partnership turned the tide decisively, taking the score to 75 before Dhanushka departed, having once again proven his match-winning ability. Though Mack fell shortly after (78/5), the calm heads of Bilal Ahmed and Luke Spencer ensured there would be no late drama, guiding the team to a comfortable victory with minimal fuss.


The win, secured with clinical efficiency, delivered another full 12-point haul, keeping the team firmly at the top of the table. With contributions from both seasoned campaigners and emerging talents, the side continues to demonstrate the depth and resilience required for a sustained title challenge.



2nd XI vs. Lostock 2nd XI (h)
Saturday 28th June 2025



The Ribblesdale Wanderers 2nd team welcomed Lostock to Church Meadow, aiming to strengthen their position at the top of the table and maintain their unbeaten streak this season. Lostock won the toss and, assessing the tricky wicket, opted to field first - a decision that initially appeared justified.


Openers Kristian Collinge and Stephen Tandy took to the crease, but the early breakthrough came for Lostock as Tandy (3) was caught behind, leaving the score at 13/1. Collinge then suffered a self-inflicted setback, attempting an ambitious third run and being run out by a considerable margin. Scott Fielding (25) and Andrew Hutchins (20) steadied the ship with a brief partnership, but another caught behind removed Fielding, making it 54/3. Hutchins fell soon after, caught at cover, and a miscommunication between Matt Brett and Travis Blezard led to Blezard’s run-out, leaving Wanderers in trouble at 87/5. The middle order struggled as Alistair Marsh and Jack Fielding departed in quick succession, reducing the hosts to 108/7. Just as Lostock sensed an opportunity to restrict Ribblesdale to a modest total, Matthew Brett and Graeme Kershaw stepped up with a crucial unbroken partnership. Brett displayed immense patience on a difficult pitch, anchoring the innings superbly, while Kershaw provided vital support. Their efforts guided Wanderers to a competitive 135/7 off 45 overs, with Brett finishing on 35* and Kershaw on 15*.


Chasing 136, Lostock knew that batting sensibly would give them a strong chance. However, Graeme Kershaw had other ideas. The seamer produced a devastating spell, ripping through Lostock’s top order with four wickets in the first five dismissals - Jack Fielding claiming the other. At 16/5 after 8.5 overs, the visitors were reeling. Kershaw wasn’t done yet, taking his fifth wicket to leave Lostock at 33-6. His phenomenal figures of 10 overs, 1 maiden, 20 runs, and 5 wickets not only dismantled Lostock’s batting but also marked a personal milestone - his 100th wicket for the club! Travis Blezard then joined the attack, dismissing the Lostock skipper thanks to a sharp catch from Andrew Hutchins, effectively ending any hopes of a comeback. Blezard added another scalp, while Joel Blackledge, making his return, wrapped up the innings with two quick wickets. Lostock were bowled out for just 55 in 24.2 overs, handing Ribblesdale a commanding 80-run victory.


This victory marks 10 consecutive wins for the 2nd XI this season, further solidifying their position at the summit of the league. Another 12 points in the bag, and the team’s momentum shows no signs of slowing down. The Wanderers march on, full of confidence as they look ahead to their next challenge. Top of the league - and determined to stay there!



1st XI vs Baxenden 1st XI (h)
Sunday 29th June 2025



Fresh off Saturday’s commanding victory, the high-flying 1st XI welcomed Baxenden to a sun-baked Church Meadow on another scorching afternoon, looking to strengthen their position at the summit of the league. With promotion ambitions burning as fiercely as the summer heat, the team delivered another clinical performance to secure a resounding win.


Having won the toss, skipper Bilal Ahmed elected to field first, unleashing the new-ball pairing of Jordan Britcliffe and professional Heshan on the Baxenden batters. The decision paid immediate dividends, as the Pro struck with just his third delivery, setting the tone for a relentless bowling display. Wickets fell in quick succession - Baxenden slumped to 23/2, then 25/3 - as the visitors struggled to contend with the precision and variety of the attack. Jordan Britcliffe joined the party, claiming a well-deserved wicket at 27/4, before the stage was well and truly commandeered by the irrepressible Heshan. In a spellbinding exhibition of spin bowling, he ripped through the middle and lower order, adding another five scalps to finish with extraordinary figures of 8/43 from 15 overs. His eight-wicket haul not only dismantled Baxenden for a meagre total but also took his season tally to a staggering 53 wickets across all competitions - a remarkable achievement as we approach the halfway mark of the campaign.


In reply, the chase began steadily before early wickets left us at 30/3, with Jordan Kelly (1), Abrar Hussain (5), and Waqar Rafique (5) departing in quick succession. However, just as they had done the previous weekend, the Pro (50) and Mack Spencer (20*) combined with calm authority to guide the team home without further alarm. Their composed partnership ensured victory was secured with minimal fuss, mirroring the clinical nature of Saturday’s triumph.


This win keeps the 1st XI firmly at the top of the table, but the challenges come thick and fast now. The next three fixtures - all away from home - pit us against our closest rivals, Cherry Tree and Whalley, in what could prove decisive in shaping the promotion race. With momentum, confidence, and a red-hot professional in our ranks, the squad is well-placed to take control of their destiny.


The dream of promotion is now firmly within our grasp, but as ever, the focus remains on taking it one game at a time.


Onwards to the next battle!



2nd XI vs. Little Lever 2nd XI (a)
Sunday 29th June 2025



On a scorching summer’s day, the Ribblesdale Wanderers 2nd XI travelled to Victory Road to face a formidable Little Lever side from the division above in the North West Cricket League Ramsbottom Cup Quarterfinal. With the sun beating down, skipper Travis Blezard won the toss and elected to bat first, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter - arguably the toughest test of the season so far.


Openers Mack Burgess and Stephen Tandy strode to the crease, with Burgess immediately taking the attack to the bowlers, striking early boundaries. However, his bright start was cut short when he was caught for 20, leaving the score at 32/1. Disaster struck soon after as Andrew Hutchins, a reliable performer this season, fell for a golden duck, and Stewart Trotter followed for a controversial LBW decision. When Matt Brett was caught behind for yet another duck, the Wanderers were reeling at 48/4. Enter Kristian Collinge and Stephen Tandy, who steadied the ship with a magnificent 117-run partnership. Tandy batted superbly for his 64 (103 balls), anchoring the innings before being caught behind.


At 165/5, Charlie Windsor joined Collinge, who was now in full flow. Windsor smashed a quickfire 15, while Collinge brought up a well-deserved half-century but he wasn’t done yet. Despite late wickets falling including Blezard and Luke Spencer trying to accelerate. Collinge remained the backbone of the innings, finishing with a sensational 90 off just 80 balls. His heroics propelled the Wanderers to a competitive 246/9 off their 40 overs, setting Little Lever a challenging target.


Little Lever knew they had to attack from the start, but the pressure told early. A sharp run-out left them at 9/1, and Joel Blackledge struck soon after, reducing them to 24/2. Skipper Blezard then pulled off a sharp caught and bowled to dismiss the other opener (54/3). Just as Little Lever’s skipper looked to rebuild, George Kerr turned the game on its head. His second spell proved decisive - first removing the opposition captain with a brilliant boundary catch by Matt Brett (113/4), then claiming another two balls later with Blezard taking the catch. Stephen Tandy added to the carnage with a lightning-quick stumping off Kerr’s bowling, leaving Little Lever in tatters at 117/6. Charlie Windsor returned to unleash havoc on the tail, his pace proving too much as he ripped through three wickets in quick succession (140/9). The innings ended with a run-out, Little Lever bowled out for 141 - a resounding 105-run victory for the Wanderers!


With 11 consecutive wins, the 2nd XI’s momentum is unstoppable. Three massive fixtures lie ahead, but on this form, who would bet against them? The Ramsbottom Cup Semi-Final awaits - bring it on!



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