The 1st XI hosted Whalley Cricket Club at Church Meadow, where Ribblesdale won the toss and elected to bat. However, the innings got off to a shaky start as Ribblesdale lost both openers and their professional early, leaving them struggling at 29-3. Jordon Kelly decided to counterattack, taking an aggressive approach against Whalley’s bowlers, but his charge was cut short when he was caught attempting another big shot, leaving Ribblesdale at 63-4.
The skipper, coming off a fine performance last week, couldn’t replicate his form and fell to a caught-and-bowled dismissal for a duck, leaving the score at a precarious 68-5. Enter Hutchy, who joined Mack Spencer at the crease, knowing a strong partnership was needed to set a competitive total. The duo dug deep, adding 61 crucial runs before Hutchy was dismissed, taking Ribblesdale to 129-6. Shortly after, Mack Spencer raised his bat for a hard-fought 50- a brilliant knock under pressure! Trying to accelerate in the closing overs, Mack was caught soon after reaching his milestone. Jordan Britcliffe fell quickly, leaving Ribblesdale at 133-8, but Charlie Windsor and Michael Worthy added a vital late partnership to take the innings to 153-8. On a tricky surface, Ribblesdale believed they had a defendable total.
Whalley’s chase began positively, with one opener surviving an early LBW appeal off Jordan Britcliffe. However, Jordan struck soon after, removing the other opener to leave Whalley at 29-1. A quick-fire wicket from professional Heshan made it 33-2, before Whalley’s own professional, Levi Wolfenden, steadied the innings. Michael Worthy then entered the attack and claimed the second opener, making it 63-4. Jordan Britcliffe finished his opening spell with impressive figures: 11 overs, 4 maidens, 29 runs, and 1 wicket. With Wolfenden at the crease, Whalley began to take control—until Bilal reintroduced Heshan, changing the game completely. The professional struck twice in quick succession, leaving Whalley at 107-5 and reigniting Ribblesdale’s hopes. Wolfenden fought back with some aggressive shots, but Heshan struck again at 125-6, before claiming the biggest wicket of all—Levi Wolfenden, caught brilliantly by Jordan Britcliffe on the boundary edge! (Just how close Jordan was to the rope remains a mystery!) Heshan finished his outstanding spell with 15 overs, 4 maidens, 48 runs, and 5 wickets - his first five-wicket haul for Ribblesdale!
At 125-7, the game hung in the balance. The Whalley skipper played some elegant shots but made a fatal error— taking on Jordon Kelly’s arm, resulting in a brilliant direct-hit run-out (139-8). Waqar Rattique, bowling a tight spell, then got in on the action with a quick stumping by Hammad Amin (144-9). Finally, Michael Worthy returned with pace, clean bowling Whalley’s number 11 to seal an 8-run victory!
A nail-biting finish at Church Meadow, and a first win for skipper Bilal! Special congratulations to Mack Spencer for his crucial 50 and Heshan for his maiden five-wicket haul in Ribblesdale colors!
