After both GMCL15 games against Moorside and Heywood last week were abandoned due to the rain, the weather could have easily had its say on Saturday’s games. Thanks to the wonderful efforts of the Club’s volunteer ground staff, play began on time at Rochdale Road with Milnrow the visitors.

A soggy track resulted in visiting captain Bebb winning the toss and electing to field as they searched for early wickets. Howarth and Mansfield saw the home side through a difficult opening 10 overs before both departed in quick succession leaving the home side 44-2. After early boundaries were hard to come by due to both the track and the slow outfield, Captain Micklethwaite and Wiseman helped tick things along before Wiseman was removed not long after. The impressive Micklethwaite continued with elegance alongside Muhammad Kashif, the latter playing his first game of the season. Their partnership saw Thornham over the three figure mark, with Micklethwaite bringing up his second half century of the season as Thornham finished on 153.

The second innings started well for the home side as Pattison carried on from where he left off at Prestwich, removing Glover’s off stump in the first over. Chris Heywood also got into the action early as Redfern, Barlow and Smith all headed back to the pavilion in quick succession, Smith departing to a fantastic catch in the slips by Paddy McMahon. Pattison was not to be out done by Heywood, removing two more Milnrow batsmen to leave the away side struggling at 30-6, their chances of victory in tatters. Kashif was brought into the attack, picking up his first wicket for Thornham before Pattison took his fifth of the day, making it back to back five fors. Milnrow ended 44 all out, McMahon wrapping up the points with his first ball having Fitton caught at legslip by Heywood.

The Second team won their first game of the season at the Ladyhouse, thanks mainly to Skipper Alec McClure’s 103 from 98 balls.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat. Thornham got off to a good start as the scoreboard reached 130 from 30 overs before fall of the first wicket. Obaid Iqbal supported McClure with a patient 32, while some late striking from Lewis Hughes helped post a competitive score of 177. McClure’s century was a feat of power hitting, including 7 fours and seven sixes! Having been out in the 90’s in the first game of the season it was wonderful to see McClure reach the century this time round.

Milnrow’s openers reached 50 in their reply before spinners Marcus Young (4-38) and Matthew Riley (2-31) took control of the game in the middle overs. A late flurry from the middle order of Milnrow helped them get to within touching distance but David Abel’s double wicket maiden and a couple of wickets from Aaron Hall bowled Milnrow out for 147.

The third team lost at home to Greenfield on Sunday despite excellent bowling figures of 5 for 23 returned by Muhammed Adnan. Greenfield posted 138 from their allocated overs, with some good catches taken by various Thornham fielders. The chase started well with runs for Iqbal and Adnan, Thornham at one point being reasonably well placed at 85 for 4. Unfortunately a lower order collapse saw the team finish all out for 87.

Bank Holiday Monday saw the rearranged Second team game against Ashton at Rochdale Road. After winning the toss Captain Alec McClure chose to bat, playing on the same wicket the First team used on Saturday. McClure, on the back of his century at Milnrow took no time in belting the ball around all parts of the ground. The 53 year old brought up his second century of the weekend inside 71 balls before he was harshly adjudged leg before wicket on 113. 94 of those runs came in boundaries, the skipper clearly deciding running singles was not on the agenda! Alec’s departure unfortunately precipitated a collapse, Aaron Hall’s 10 the next highest score as the team finished on 153ao.

Thornham started well in the second innings with Umair Ahmed and Marcus Young restricting the visitors to 70-7, however a partnership of 83 for the 8th wicket saw Ashton home inside 36 overs and left the Thornham players wondering what went wrong.

Next Saturday sees the First Team travel to Littleborough Lakeside and the Second Team host Glodwick. The Thirds are away to Shaw on Sunday. All games for the rest of the season will start at 12.30.