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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Season 4 - Game 1 - Not even a Sight screen can stop the Vets
The cricket season is well and truly underway and its been great to see so many of you at the club last weekend showing your support. This weekend is the first bank holiday weekend of May and it's a cricket packed week ahead. Wednesday The club will be open from 5pm. The Under 13's start their 2026 GMCL campaign at home to Droyslden, 6pm start. The newly formed Under 18's team travel to Droylsden, also a 6pm start. Thursday Doors open 5pm. Col Taylor's Vets team take centre stage at North Road for their game against Charlesworth Vets, 5:30pm start. Bring your suntan lotion as it's going to be warm. Friday Doors open at 5pm, junior cricket training for Under 9's, 11's, and 13's starting at 6pm. It's going to be warm so don't forget hats, drinks, and suntan lotion. Saturday The in-form 2nd XI are at home to Droylsden (12:30 start), and the 1st XI make the reverse trip to Droyslden. At 5:30pm, Arsenal v Fulham will be shown live on the big screens. Sunday The cricket never stops with the Under 11's at home to Tintwistle in the morning. The 1st XI are back in action for the second time this weekend with an away trip to South West Manchester in the 1st XI Championship Cup. More live sport on the big screens at 3:30pm with Manchester United v Liverpool. Chip butties at half time - what's not to like! Monday Junior cricket on Monday sees the Under 15's away at Mottram (6pm), with the Under 11's at home to Mottram (6pm). The club will be open from 12 noon. Enjoy your weekend, enjoy your cricket, and we look forward to your support.
1st XI Glossop 185/4 (34.3) - Glodwick 184/7 (50) A very different weekend to last week with the weather! Glossop lost the toss and had a bowl. After an uncharacteristically loose start with Glodwick racing to 44-1 off 7 overs Glossop bowled with much more control to restrict Glodwick to 184 on a very good cricket wicket with lots of credit going to will and Matt . In the chase Glossop lost 3 early wickets rapidly to put some pressure on but Lee and Matt batted with great composure to have a strong partnership to score the bulk of the runs. Dan senior came into finish the job in style with some classy shots and Glossop winning by 6 wickets earning a bonus point win. Matt Sonczak 3-38 (12) Will Hargreaves 2-31 (15) Lee Dale 72* (86) Dan senior 48* (33) Matt Sonczak 45 (76) 2nd XI Woodley 122/10 (31.2) - Glossop 124/4 (27.1) Another excellent performance from the team on a soft & slow wicket. Glossop won the toss and chose to bowl. Despite an aggressive start from Woodley, Glossop’s bowlers were calm and disciplined ensuring wickets fell regularly. They were backed up by some excellent fielding, notably from Jack Stopford. Despite an early wobble chasing a modest total, another perfectly measured innings from Ollie Boothroyd was the difference. Good partnerships with Joe Bolton and then Dave Allen meant Glossop quickly silenced a vocal home side to win by 6 wickets and get the bonus point. Sam Dyson 4-42 (11) Joe Doody 3-23 (9) Ollie Boothroyd 56 (66) Dave Allen 19* (47) 4th XI Glossop 94/10 (21.2) - Dinting 97/4 (19) Glossop CC made a difficult start, slipping to 16–4 as Dinting’s bowlers dominated early. A vital 43‑run stand between Joseph Bolton (39) and Steve Marsh (11) steadied the innings, with Olly Boothroyd adding a brisk 11. But once the partnership ended, wickets fell regularly and Glossop were dismissed for 94, leaving their attack with a small but defendable total. In reply, Glossop fought hard. Nathan Allen struck twice to lift hopes, while Jonathon Kirk bowled an excellent spell of 1–15 from five overs. The pressure continued when Freddie claimed his first senior wicket, reducing Dinting to 66–4 and giving Glossop a genuine opening. However, Dinting regrouped and completed the chase without further loss, finishing on 97–4. Under 11's Hayfield 198 - Glossop 153 The Young Lions put in a gutsy shift despite the loss to a strong Hayfield side. We posted 153 with sharp boundaries from Jake and Elliott and great running from Arabelle and Max. Tight bowling spells followed, with wickets for Elliott and William, plus a brilliant, economical finish from Jake. In the field we stayed focused, and William — who stopped everything despite a sore hand — earned Player of the Match.