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Junior League Secrestary's Report Season 1990
The Junior Division of the Matthew Brown Northern Cricket League was once again devided into two "zones". roughly based on the geographical locations of the competing clubs.
Unfortunately, St Annes, Lancaster and Kendal were unable to enter teams which left the competition somewhat lop-sided with five teams in Zone A and four in Zone B.
The excellent weather during the summer allowed the games to proceed with very few interuptions with bat moving the ball for a change.
In the preliminary games leading up to the Semi's and Final, there were seven scores over 50 recorded.
The high scoring continued in the Final from Gareth Cordingley 130 not out and Stuart Tolley 102 not out of Darwen and Blackpool respectively.
The batting records of three players are worthy of mention
In four innings Stuart Tolley scored 233 runs for once out, Michael Clinning, four innings, 227 for once out and Gareth Cordingley, four innings 200 runs, once out.
In taking the above into account it is no wonder that Darwen and Blackpool emerged as finalists after overcoming Preston and Netherfield in the semi's, the Final being an outstanding contest between two very well balanced sides.
A large crowd saw Darwen bat first and compile the excellent score of 226 for 2 in their alloted 40 overs, Jeff Hacking scoring 44, S Mercer 35 not out and of course Gareth Cordingley's superb ton.(130 not out)
Blackpool set about their formidable task with a steady start, and thanks to Tolley's century (102 not out), 62 not out from Michael Clinning and 46 from Rick Culby Blackpool took the title with an over to spare.
It was a great game that did the Northern League Junior Division great credit.
I am sure that the spectators went home in the knowledge that youth cricket in the Northern League is in good health.
Clive Henderson
Assistant Secretary (Juniors)
The Matthew Brown Northern Cricket League
Under 18 Representative Team Report Season 1990
The Under 18 side again competed in the Manchester Evening News Competition and the North West Colts Trophy.
Being the Holders of the Colts Trophy, hopes were high for the 1990 season, as most of the squad from the previous successful season were still eligible to play.
The campaign began on the 3rd June at Stanley Park, Blackpool where the opposition was the very highly rated Bolton League, in round one of the Manchester Evening News Competition.
The Bolton League were invited to bat and got off to a dreadful start losing the first three wickets for 16 runs.
However, skipper Michael Ward and Glen Crompton steadied the ship with a stand of 63, Crompton compiling 72 excellent runs in quick time.
"Man of the Match", Dean Eckersley, kept up the good work with an unbeaten 55 and at the end of 46 overs, the creditable score of 183 for 7 was attained.
Nick Beenham (Fleetwood) 10 - 2 - 20 - 1, Gavin Moffat (Lancaster 10 - 1 - 34 - 2 and Ian Critchley (Leyland) 8 - 1 - 31 - 1 all ensured that run scoring was not an easy business.
The Northern League made a steady start with an opening stand of 38.
Skipper Malcolm Heap (Chorley) played his usual agressive innings, scoring 35 runs in even time just when it was needed to keep the score ticking along,with seven batsmen getting into double figures, the necessary total was achieved, but not without one or two heart stopping moments.
Mention should be made of Philip Iddon (Leyland Motors), who kept wicket quite brilliantly with one catch and two stumpings to go with 22 runs in 19 minutes.
The second game saw the team travelling to New Mills in Derbyshire to play the Derbyshire and Cheshire League in the North West Colts Competition, we caught the opposition on one of their poorer days, dismissing them for the meagre total of 49.
Matthew Parkinson (Lancaster) 9 - 2 - 21 - 4, Nick Beenham 5 - 2 - 9 - 1, Marc Hadwin (Netherfield) 6 - 1 - 17 - 3 and Gareth Cordingley (Darwen) 2.2 - 1 - 1 - 2 were all too good for the home team, and if several sharp slip and gulley catches had been held, an even lower score would have been the required target.
The Northern League passed the total in twelve overs for the loss of two wickets and the game was over by 4.45pm.
The Semi-Final of the Manchester Evening News Competition saw us visiting the holders of the trophy, the North Lancashire League at Dalton Cricket Club.
The day was bright but cold with a near gale blowing down the ground. Again the toss favoured the Northern League and the North Lancashire League were asked to take first strike.
The Northern League bowlers were outstanding, especially the ones who were asked to bowl into the teeth of the gale, and I feel that their figures are all worth recording:-
Jeff Hacking (Darwen) 10 - 7 - 10 - 3, Nick Beenham 5 - 2 - 12 - 0, Farouk Patel (Lancaster) 10 - 3 - 21 - 2, Ian Critchley 10 - 5 - 12 - 1, Marc Hadwin 7 - 0 - 17 - 2 and Gareth Cordingley 2.5 - 1 - 1 - 1.
Needless to say the North Lancashire League struggled and only managed to accrue some 80 runs.
This should have been an easy task and Gareth Cordingley with 48 made it appear so, unfortunately on his departure with the score on 69 for 2 there was a sizeable collapse and three more wickets fell whilst making the remaining 12 runs.
However, spirits were high and we went into the Final against the Bolton Association at Atherton C C on the 12th August with great confidence.
Again the toss was won but this time Malcolm Heap elected to bat.
Unfortunately the second ball of the match saw Gareth Cordingley dismissed for a duck by Stephen Speak, who you will probably recall represented the Northern League in the successful North West Colts campaign of 1989.
Michael Clinning attempted to steady the the situation but only managed 3 runs in 25 minutes, but thankfully Stuart Davidson (Kendal) settled down to score a superb 80 off 98 balls, well supported by Philip Iddon, 40 and Matthew Parkinson, 22 off 26 balls.
The total of 210 for 9 wickets off the 48 overs appeared to be ample, and at 10 for 3 and 35 for 4 the Association looked down and out.
But not so, "Man of the Match", Stephen Speak, batting beautifully in scoring 115 not out off 134 balls to add to his first innings 9 - 4 - 18 - 3, shared a fifth wicket partnership of 97 with Stephen More 41 to stage an exciting finish.
The dependable Matthew Parkinson again bowled magnificently to return figures of 10 - 2 - 27 - 3 with Gareth Cordingley,Ian Critchley and Nick Beenham all bowling economically. and ensuring that the Association's score was kept to 195 for 6.
Once again Philip Iddon was outstanding behind the stumps.
In winning this competition the Northern League confirmed that the youth players in this League compare with the best in the country.
While the above game was taking place, another team of comparable strength was representing our League in the Semi-Final of the North West Colts Competition at Orrell C C against the Wigan an District League.
Wigan were allowed to accumulate 214 runs for the loss of only 3 wickets due to several lapses in the field with some simple catches being put down.
Stephen Pallett (Leyland) bowled well in his first game for the League with a return of 9 - 2 - 15 - 1 but lacked support at the other end.
In reply, eight eight players reached double figures but with the exception of James Gardner 32, Farouk Patel 22 and Stephen Pallett 21 none went on to compile a large score and the Leagues challenge fizzled out some 34 runs short, being all out for 180 runs.
1990 was again a year of achievement as far as the younger members of the Northern League were concerned, and we can look forward to the coming season with great confidence .
Our League Sponsors Matthew Brown have agreed to provide caps to be awarded to players who produce outstanding performances in 1991 when representing the League.
May I thank all those who helped to make the season so enjoyable, Blackpool Cricket Club for their hospitality, John May for his much appreciated help, the umpires for their services and of course my wife Sylvia, Roger Harrison and David Duckworth for scoring.
Thanks must also go to Chairman Ken Wilton and League Secretary David Smalley plus of course the parents for their support during the summer.
Finally I thank the players for their great efforts and hope that they enjoyed it all as much as I did.
Perhaps in 1991, the Northern League may win both competitions, It won't be easy, bu I wouldn't bet against it if I were you.
Clive Henderson
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