Seniors Update - June 2023
1st X1
Led by new skipper Matthew Sonczak, Glossop CC 1XI have made an excellent start to their GMCL Premier 2 campaign and currently sit in third place.
Six of the first eight league games away from home looked tricky on paper, but the 1XI are as yet unbeaten on the road. They've won four, with two further matches being abandoned due to poor early season weather.
Fixtures at North Road have been rare, with the 1XI winning and losing one each in the league, in addition to a comfortable victory in the first round of the cup.
Brendon Schultz - our new Australian overseas amateur - arrived in the UK on May 11th and has made an instant impact. In four matches so far, Brendon has taken 13 wickets @ 9.85, including 5-32 at Stand on debut, and hit a classy unbeaten half-century in the first round of the cup.
Elsewhere in the 1XI, Chris Gill has enjoyed a brilliant start to the year with the bat, making 244 runs @ 48.80 in eight innings and scoring his second Glossop CC century. Lee Dale and Matt Sonczak have also chipped in with important runs, both in the league and T20 competition.
One of the 1XI's strengths last season was spin bowling, and it's been no different in 2023. Will Hargreaves leads the wicket-taking charts with 20 @ 10.40, while Matt Sonczak has 9 @ 15.44 with an economy of just 2.29.
Dom Perrin has perhaps been the pick of the bowlers so far, taking 15 wickets @ 11.07 as a leg-spinner in early April and May, including two brilliant five-wicket hauls against Walshaw and Astley & Tyldesley.
2nd XI
After a successful 2022 season of introducing some of our promising juniors into 2nd team cricket and a 3rd place finish, it was decided early this year that the club needed to continue on its journey of transitioning players from junior to senior cricket. Many of the senior players are in their 40s with fitness, aches, pains, work and family commitments to contend with so the club has realigned its expectations for the year with a clear goal of maintaining its divisional status.
Despite losses versus Moorside and Dukinfield and rain affected match against Shaw, there was early promise shown. Over the 3 games, 13-year-old Derbyshire CCC representative Ben Wilson bowled 21 overs of off spin, picking up 8 wickets for 112 runs. Greater Manchester Cricket League representative Olly Boothroyd debuted, bowling his promising seam and showing some flare with the bat.
The team picked up its first win versus Saddleworth at a bustling North Road. Jonny Booth hit his straps and got 5 for 24 off 11 overs with stalwarts Mark Usher and Steve Bates both bowling miserly spells and picking up 1 and 2 wickets respectively. It was a landmark for the u13 player Olly Boothroyd too as one of his deliveries took a snick through to Steve Wood and he celebrated his first senior wicket. Saddleworth were all out for 89 which looked like an easy target to chase. However, after a solid start, wickets fell in quick succession and again the youngsters had a chance to shine. Another Derbyshire CCC junior, Joseph Bolton, batted fearlessly against a good bowling attack with a mixture of careful shots and some aggressive blows. When the classy left hander fell just over halfway to target the game was in the balance. Two partnerships became crucial with Steve Wood (16) and Ben Wilson putting on 18 together. When Woody fell, Sam Elliott (14*) came to the crease and both him and Wilson (13*) batted beautifully to see the game home in style, much to the plaudits of packed crowd.
Werneth and Prestwich proved to be challenging games however notable performances from seniors Usher, Sam Dyson and Dave Allen with some great signs of batting promise from junior Jack Stopford too. Olly Boothroyd picked up his 2nd senior wicket at Werneth and proved his talent with the bat scoring a fluent 19* off 24 balls.
The final game of May came at North Road with Woodhouses making the short trip from Failsworth. Their first innings total of 185 for 4 looked like it could be a challenging task. However, with a return to the side for David Wilde, Dan Eyre and first teamer Adam Hayes in at 3 Glossop fancied its chances…if only they could get a start…The left hander Wilde looked class, stroking the ball all around the wicket whilst at the other end, Eyre dominated the Woodhouses attack. Their opening partnership of 129 was a joy to watch and had the crowd elated. Eyres innings included 11 fours and 2 sixes when he was eventually out for 59 ball 75. Wildes 66* came off 85 balls and included 12 fours and Adam Hayes scored a run a ball 34* which saw Glossop home with 16 overs to spare.
3rd X1 and Vets.
The clubs newly formed 3rd X1 and Vets team have played one game each to date.
The 3rd team, playing with 8 juniors, managed a penultimate ball win against a Stalybridge side.
Match report below
Top start from the 3rd X1 yesterday. Excellent effort in the field with Olly, Nathan, Mike Boothroyd, Jacob, Alfie and Ben picking up wickets. Everyone deserves a mention with the ball but Nathan and Max deserve singling out as their spells were particularly miserly.
Also special mention to the 'vets' Steve for an excellent diving (forward) catch off the ever improving bowling of Jacob Dyson but then, not to be outdone by his aging teammate, Jason Allen pulled out an outstanding catch diving to his right to snaffle a beauty off the seam bowling of Alfie , removing dangerman Tolley (62) in the process.
Both crowd and teammates went wild for both catches and rightly so! (I share Paul Edgars view, Jason's catch was the better though, just!).
All in all, it was a really good half in the field, even when the ball was flying around for boundaries later on, we seemed to keep our cool and remained disciplined. Really happy with our progress here.
2nd innings started really well with Jack Stopford and Steve Marsh (42) opening up putting on 60 for the first wicket. Steve played well and punished the bad ball. Jack was patient and correct and managed to rotate the strike well when possible against a good bowling attack. When Steve fell to an excellent caught and bowled up stepped Olly Boothroyd and he picked up where Steve had left off punishing the bad balls particularly anything down legside. Jack showed great bravery after being peppered in the mid-riff from a few of the faster bowlers, but having weathered the storm incredibly well he eventually fell to the spin bowling of Tolley for a solid and very encouraging opening knock of 15.
Ben joined Olly and the pair of them rotated the strike well with both playing some nice shots. Olly rode his luck but was destructive in the process and started to edge close to his maiden 50..... As Ben (18) looked to push on he was caught with a beauty of one handed catch just as the game was looking like it was going to get wrapped by the pair. Max came in at 5 and although played some nice shots he was unfortunately bowled trying to push the score on. Like most of the lads he's progressing at a really good rate and the difference in his technique in 4 weeks is huge.
Next out was debutant Mike Boothroyd with son Olly on 49 and with us only needing 10 more runs. Mike's looked good value for runs in the practice sessions but this is match day......would/could the pressure show? Could this fine golfer who knows pressures and competition at a high level guide his cricket side to victory alongside his son? Well, if he was feeling the pressure it didn't show. He was calm, pushing a few deliveries back off the pick of the Stalybridge bowlers, even picking up a few singles in the process. Olly though, in true belligerent style smashed his way to his half century and released the pressure on the game. With only 3 balls remaining of the game and Mike facing, Olly saw a ball go down leg and decide to run through for a single bye to win the game much to the adulation of the spectators. Son and Father walking off the pitch together was a very special moment.
Glossop CC Vets vs Hare and Hounds
The vets games vs Hare and Hounds was the clubs first ever midweek social game. A mixture of parents, friends of parents and a GCC player took the field against a much fancied Hare and Hounds team.
The Hare raced to a great start with Chris Coll, Chris Sonczak, Rose and Brammer all reaching their retirement with relative ease helping H&H put on a large score of 143 in their allotted 20 overs.
Despite losing Marsden (6), Marsh (24) and Tinsley (20) kept the run rate ticking over. A few more wickets were lost but Halpin (24), Taylor (22) and Carroll (10) helped get the team back in with a chance of winning. Eventually it was up to Ingham (2*) and Edgar (10*) to see the game home with a ball to spare. A nervy finish to day the least but a great effort for the Vets first outing. Just a shame to see all the pulled hamstrings, groin strains and headaches after the game.
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Trouble Brews in the Heat It was a sunny evening in the wild plains of the cricketing frontier. The Law Men, leather-hatted and squinting into the glare, took the field first. The opposition Outlaws came out all guns blazing, holstering sixes and firing boundaries. The scoreboard galloped like a runaway stallion, and for a moment, it looked like the Outlaws were in for a long night. But just when the storm looked set to roll in, the sheriffs started laying down the law. Lines were tightened, traps were laid, and the bullets stopped flying. Then came the first duel. The opposition opener, once bold and brash, found himself hog-tied by dot balls. In a moment of panic, he made a break for it. He didn't make it far. A direct hit from Chris Sonczak—clean as a gunslinger's draw—sent him packing. Next ball, Davo drew fast and snared another. Two gone, momentum slowed. Enter young Maltby, the fresh-red-faced deputy on debut. He bowled like he'd ridden these parts before—tight, composed, and full of promise. But the enemy wasn’t done. A moustachioed South African miscreant, fierce and flamboyant, stood defiant in the dust, cracking shots with grit and guile (if only his banter behind the stumps was a cracking). Still, wickets fell like tumbleweeds. Phil Rhodes spun his web, subtle and deadly, and Chris Sonczak—sharpshooter supreme—fired off another direct hit. Across the rolling North Road plane, the ball, it seemed, had made a pact with Matt Sonczak—four catches flew to him like iron to a magnet. The Marshalls had done their job. The opposition Outlaws limped to 118 for 9 from 20 overs—a respectable tally, but short of high noon destruction. A Duel Under the Dying Light As the sun dipped low, painting the sky in oranges and fire, the Law Men’s top guns holstered their bats and stepped into the street. Chris Coll and Chris Sonczak: calm, composed, and short. Coll opened with lusty blows, knocking the dust off the scoreboard with every strike. Sonczak, his partner in justice, rotated strike like clockwork. The scoreboard ticked above the required rate, and the tension in the fielding gang grew. All they could manage were a few bitter mutterings behind the stumps—not funny, not clever. Coll, his work done, retired with a nod, handing over the reins. Sonczak stayed, finally finding his range with a few well-timed shots before tipping his hat and retiring too. Then came a stumble. The Chambers boys—Rob and Tom—rode in but didn't last long. Quick exits, no time for duels. But where there’s grit, there’s always a way. Gino, all flair and footwork, and Phil Rhodes, bringing balance and poise, stepped up. They brought a dash of style, keeping the wagon rolling. Just when it looked like they’d take it home, a twist: Gino retired, and Rhodes fell for 19. The saloon doors creaked open again—Will R and Davo entered the fray. Will, wielding a new weapon, looked the part—but it wasn’t his day. First ball, out cold. Silence fell. But Maltby returned, the debutant with the solution to the Mexican stand-off, and joined Davo. Calm, steady, unshaken—they saw it through. No drama. The Outlaws fought the Law; but, the Law won! Swinging Saloon Doors With the job done and the dust settled, the Sheriff’s holstered their bats, tipped their hats, and headed off for drinks and Italian food. Stories were shared, laughter echoed, and eyes turned to the man of the hour. Maltby, the new deputy, took home the match award—not for wickets, not for runs, but for an enthusiastic throw, which he muscled to absolutely nowhere. Wild. Unpredictable. Glorious. In these parts, they don’t remember the score. They remember the show.
On behalf of the Glossop Cricket & Bowling Club Executive Committee, I'd like to warmly invite you to an Extraordinary General Meeting taking place at 8pm on Thursday 22nd May 2025. As per the club’s constitution, the Executive Committee has recently recommended a list of Honorary Life Members, and so the purpose of this EGM is for our membership to approve these recommendations. The meeting should take no longer than 5 minutes. We’d love to see as many members as possible join us. Just a quick note: according to our club constitution, junior members under 16 and social members are welcome to attend but aren’t eligible to vote. We do our best to keep our members list up to date, but sometimes people slip through the cracks. If you know anyone who hasn't received this invite, please feel free to pass it along. Kind Regards Paul Edgar Secretary Glossop Cricket & Bowling Club
The weather Gods were shining brightly as Glossop Vets started their 2025 campaign with a tough away trip to Broadbottom. After an unbeaten 2024 season, the pressure was on to see if the team could recreate the highs of the 24 season……and in this first outing they didn’t disappoint. Glossop gave a debut to Tom Rogers, and after some rather hectic and considerably dangerous catching practise, Broadbottom were put into bat. Glossop opened with Jay Allen and Rick Ingham, possibly the oldest opening pair in the history of cricket, but both started well and in the 3rd over Allen came to life and struck with a lovely length delivery that was played on to the stumps….and the Vets were away. Allen struck again in the same over, clean bowled, and had now claimed both openers to finish with match best figures of 2 overs, 2 runs, 2 wickets. First change saw Richard Marsden and Sam Alder take the attack to Broady. Marsden was steady but it was Alder who was causing issues and he got his just reward for good line and length with a fizzing delivery that took out the middle stump. His first wicket for Glossop Vets …the first of many. Glossop kept the pressure on with good fielding which was paramount on the fast outfield but with Broadbottom middle order starting to free their shoulders abit, Glossop needed to make a breakthrough. Up step Tom Rogers and Steve Kirkham. Rogers kept it tight from one end but it was Kirkham who broke the hearts of Broady fans, striking twice, the first an fat edge to point where Calvert took the catch, this time with his hands and not his face, and the second a lovely dipping yorker leaving the Broadbottom batsman cleaned bowled. The final 4 overs brought some success for Broady with some big 6 hitting but 2 further wickets helped to keep the score chaseable. Taylor struck the stumps and Calvert found the edge, which was gobbled up by Andy Wilde behind the stumps, capping a fine performance by Wilde in the field. Broadbottom finished on 120 for 7 . Let the Chase begin... Glossop’s 20+ fans were expectant of a victory but with the sun going down Glossop would need to get a move on. Ingham and Taylor opened. Taylor took the majority of the strike in the first 3 overs, scoring a quick 14 before being cleaned bowled. Wilde came to the crease and started strong with 2 quick boundaries and some good running with Ingham. Ingham was going steadily along anchoring the team. Wilde was eventually out for 16, coming down the wicket to some spin, the ball dipped, Wilde missed it and was stumped by Broadbottoms very impressive under 15s Wk. This brought Marsden to the crease with Glossop needing a destructive innings from their number 4 to stay ahead of the run rate. Marsden started abit nervously but once he got his eye in, he started hitting the boundaries. Marsden and Ingham dovetailed well and both approached 25. Marsden was the first to reach the milestone with a crunching boundary ending on 28 not out. Ingham was soon to follow with a boundary of his own capping his best batting performance with the vets, scoring 27 not out. Allen and Halpin were now at the crease with Glossop needing around 30 runs for victory. Both batted well, moving the ball around and guided Glossop home with 5 overs to spare. Halpin finishing on 15 not out and Allen on 14 not out. Its shows the depth of Glossop’s team that Marsh, Calvert, Alder, Kirkham and Rogers were left in the shed but there is serious competition for places in this batting line up. Glossop ended on 123 -2 and took their first scalp of the season. Man of the Match: Andy Wilde . A fine performance behind the stumps, taking a catch and topped off with a quick fire 16 runs to set Glossop on route to Victory Up The Vets!