On a damp and gloomy afternoon at Astley Bridge, Ribblesdale Wanderers 2nd XI traveled for a rain-reduced 37-over clash. With the pitch heavily affected by the weather, Astley Bridge won the toss and elected to field, hoping to exploit the tricky conditions.
Ribblesdale’s innings got off to a shaky start as the skipper fell early to a sharp caught-and-bowled, leaving the score at 18-1. Tandy followed soon after, nicking one behind to the keeper (22-2), and Collinge and Brett departed cheaply, leaving Hutchins to steady the ship at 51-4.
Just as the innings threatened to unravel, Scott Fielding joined Hutchins at the crease, injecting much-needed momentum. The pair accelerated the scoring before Fielding was dismissed for a well-made 29 (92-5). Luke Spencer then partnered with Hutchins, who anchored the innings with a crucial 33 before an uncharacteristic loose shot saw him caught at point.
Spencer and Kershaw kept the scoreboard ticking, but wickets continued to tumble—Kershaw falling at 136-7, followed by two comical run-outs. First, Spencer (20) was caught short, and then Jack Fielding was involved in a mix-up, leaving Ribblesdale reeling at 142-9.
Enter George Kerr at number 11. Given strict instructions to bat out the overs, he had other ideas—smashing his first ball for six! Kerr and Windsor saw out the remaining overs, guiding Ribblesdale to a competitive 156-9 off their 37 overs.
Knowing early wickets were key, Ribblesdale’s bowlers came out firing. Charlie Windsor struck in the second over with a sharp gully catch off Blezard (3-1). The very next ball, Astley Bridge attempted a risky single, only for Luke Spencer’s lightning throw from square leg to catch them short— 3-2 in just two deliveries!
Windsor struck again in his second over, with Brett taking a neat catch (11-3). Just as the hosts looked to settle, George Kerr entered the attack and wreaked havoc, snaring two wickets in a single over (20-5).
Despite a brief recovery, Windsor returned to break another partnership (54-6), before Kerr took centre stage.
The spinner ripped through the middle order, claiming his next three victims—all caught by Jack Fielding, Spencer, and Hutchins—to finish with a sensational 5-26 off 8 overs (including a handful of no-balls).
At 82-9, Ribblesdale needed just one more wicket for maximum points. But Astley Bridge’s last-wicket pair dug in, blocking out six tense overs before the heavens opened once more, ending the game early.
The hosts closed on 91-9 off 31 overs, denying Ribblesdale a full 12 points.
Though disappointed not to secure the final wicket, Ribblesdale walked away with 10 valuable points - a strong return on a rain-affected day. The result propelled them to the summit of Conference 2, reinforcing their promotion credentials in what has been a fiercely competitive season.
