Bacup started the weekend in positive fashion with an exciting win against first division Todmorden in the first fixture of this year's T20 competition.
Todmorden, after being invited to bat first, made 127 for 6 with opener Ben Pearson batting through the innings for 46. Aspinall, with 2 for 17 and professional Serasinghe, with 2 for 18 were the pick of the Bacup bowlers.
In reply Bacup appeared to be making good progress with Serasinghe (29), Newbitt (31), skipper Fielding (25) and Schofield (14) all making good contributions. However, Todmorden staged a recovery to put the game back in the balance, leaving Bacup needing 6 runs with 3 balls remaining. Step forward Ben Lord to hit his very first ball back over the bowlers head for six to seal victory.
However, it was disappointment in the league fixture at home to Middleton on Sunday.
Middleton elected to bat first and made 157 for 8 in a reduced 37 over game. Professional Williams made 42 whilst James Tierney hit an enterprising 59 from only 47 balls. Serasinghe was again miserly taking 2 for 24 from his reduced allocation of 11 overs whilst there was excellent support from Ben Lord with 3 for 17 and Naylor with 3 for 32.
Bacup set off chasing 158 for victory only to be told half way through their innings that owing to an erroneous application of DLS that the target was now 172. Bacup fell short of the total finishing on 152 for 8 but one can't but help think that the Bacup batsman may have approached things differently had they known the situation from the outset of their innings.
Schofield with 28, Newbitt (20), Chris Gansler (20), Serasinghe (18), Ben Lord (14) and Boardman ( 15 not out) all made double figures but nobody was able to come up with the match winning innings. Middleton skipper Dale Highton took 5 for 29 as Bacup picked up 4 bonus points for their efforts. After winning their first four league games Bacup have now lost three on the bounce.
There was more joy for the second eleven at Middleton where there was also a rain reduced game of 37 overs. Bacup posted a useful total of 188 for 7 with Collinge (57), Syers (22) and Knights (25 not out) all making good contributions.
In reply Middleton were 20 runs short. Josh Holt impressed again with 5 for 30 and Charlie Gansler picked up 3 wickets as Bacup collected the maximum 12 points.
The third eleven had a tough encounter at Rochdale. An experienced Rochdale batting line up made 214 for 5 in their 40 overs with Chris Gansler and Dom Boardman picking up two wickets apiece.
Bacup made a decent start with Harris making 33 and Holt 32. However, a middle order collapse ensued before pride was restored with an enterprising ninth wicket partnership of 61 between skipper Jones (51 not out) and Bracewell (24 not out) gave the Bacup lads two bonus points.
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