Another strong weekend for Glossop Cricket Club saw the 1st XI and 2nd XI secure important wins, while the 4th XI produced a memorable performance to complete a fine all-round weekend.

1st XI

Glossop 215-7 (49.5 overs) beat Saddleworth 214 all out (48.3 overs)

Batting: Anuk Fernando 85, Lee Dale 48, Matt Sonczak 45

Bowling: Anuk Fernando 5-53, Matt Sonczak 3-59

Glossop won the toss and chose to bowl after a little rain in the morning, with the expectation that the wicket might offer some help to the bowlers early on.

The opening spell from Booth and Fernando was tight and disciplined, with Fernando claiming three wickets and Sonczak producing excellent slip catching. At 67-5, the game was in the balance, but Saddleworth’s batters gradually built a partnership as the wicket improved for batting. Fernando returned to claim his fourth wicket before Sonczak picked up a couple more, and Fernando finished the innings with his fifth to leave Saddleworth on 214.

In reply, Dale and Senior started positively before both fell early. Dale and Fernando then built a strong partnership, with Dale producing some outstanding strokes. A mix-up saw Dale run out for the first time in his career with Glossop 73-3, but Sonczak and Fernando combined for a crucial partnership of over 100 runs to take the chase away from Saddleworth. A slight stutter late on did little to dampen the result, with Fernando’s excellent 85 guiding Glossop over the line.

It was a composed performance from a side that has now won seven games in a row and sits four points clear at the top of the league.

2nd XI

Glossop 239-9 (45 overs) beat Saddleworth 223 all out (44 overs)

Batting: Ollie Boothroyd 55, Greg Harwick 46

Bowling: Sam Dyson 3-41, Chris Coll 3-30

Glossop won the toss and batted first on a dry and dusty wicket at Saddleworth. The batting was excellent throughout the order, with contributions from the top eight and standout innings from Boothroyd and Harwick. Dave Allen, Steve Wood and Archie Edgar helped push the total to an impressive 239 from the full 45 overs.

The bowling unit did not get off to the ideal start, with the wicket proving difficult to control and the opening batter making the most of some luck. However, Glossop wrestled momentum back over the next six overs, taking five wickets for 50 runs and putting pressure on the chase. Dyson and Boothroyd then finished the job professionally, cleaning up the tail and securing a hard-fought 16-run victory.

It was a strong showing of grit and determination, with excellent fielding and a number of important catches helping to swing the game back in Glossop’s favour.

4th XI

Glossop CC 4th XI 162-8 beat Dove Holes 3rd XI 161-7 (35 overs)

Glossop CC won by two wickets.

Batting: Lewis Allen 41, Steve Marsh 18

Bowling: Charley Ingham 4-39, George Leech 1-7

Dove Holes won the toss and elected to bat, but Glossop’s opening bowlers kept them under control early on. The breakthrough came when the younger bowlers entered the attack, with Charley Ingham taking the first of his four wickets and Henry bowling a disciplined spell from the other end.

Dove Holes increased the scoring rate through the middle overs, but Glossop kept chipping away with wickets. George Leech earned a special mention after claiming his first senior wicket with an excellent spell of 4 overs for 7 runs.

Glossop’s reply started positively, with Archie scoring a quick 15 and Lewis Allen rotating the strike well. Three quick wickets slowed the momentum, but a vital partnership between Lewis Allen and Steve Marsh steadied the innings and brought the target back within reach. Lewis then played a superb knock to anchor the chase before late cameos from Charley Ingham, Paul Edgar and Will Reddington brought Glossop close. Ted Wilde and Jonny Kirk calmly saw the side home with four overs to spare.

It was an outstanding team performance, made even more impressive by the fact that six players aged 14 and under played a part at senior level. The future looks very bright.