The first 1st X1 returned to league duty hoping to build on the momentum of the past few weeks to maintain their title challenge. It was another hot and humid day, with the possibility of thunderstorms, with a good turn out of the faithful Ribblesdale Barmy Army to cheer the team on at Barnoldswick.
Barnoldswick won the toss and elected to bat, losing an early wicket to a run out by Luke Spencer. The next wicket to fall at 25 was their Pro, bowled by Jordan Brticliffe, the first of his wonderful bowling spell. Their score progressed to 50 when Mikey Worthy took a spectacular catch in the deep of the bowling of Jordan Britcliffe. The next wicket to fall was an even more spectacular catch from Worthy, a diving single handed catch, again off Britcliffe. Wickets continued to tumble and Barnoldswick were 109/8 but some good hitting by their tail took the score to 167 all out. Another 2 bonus balling points for us. There was a short. rain interruption in the Barnoldswick innings, reducing the match to 42 overs and as a consequence the DLS score for victory was set at 163 runs.
Our now established opening pair batted sensibly taking the score to 61 runs with Jordon Kelly (26) first out quickly followed by Hammid Amin (28) at 64 runs. The stage was set once again for the Pro and Ryan Canning to continue their fine league form and they did not disappoint again. Sharing a dominant 96 run partnership with the Pro scoring 57 (6x4, 3x6) before he was caught behind trying to finish the game off quickly. Canning remained until the end with an unbeaten 39 (7x4) to steer us to victory.
The damage was done early in the Barnoldswick innings with Jordan Britcliffe achieving the impressive figures of 15/3/59/6, a truly match winning spell of bowling.
So another 12 points and we remain top of the table. We now have a run of away games to deal with over the coming weeks, but on current form we are well equipped to continue our promotion push.
