Prime Location
A spectator at Redbrook looks on as hosts Rochdale lose a wicket, bowled, during a dramatic tie with Lancashire League rivals Burnley. Going into this penultimate round of fixtures, both teams were aiming for a top-12 finish, and a First Division place in 2019, when the 24-club Lancashire League splits into two tiers. The nine points secured from this tie clinched Burnley's place (ninth, 158pts), but Rochdale (12th, 143pts) now sweat on their final game, on September 9 at home to Nelson (joint-10th, with Crompton, 150pts), another team not assured of making the top 12. Todmorden (13th, 142pts) are also in the running.
Both Rochdale and Burnley found run-scoring difficult on a lush, slow outfield and on a wicket offering unpredictable bounce. Dale, 94-6 at one stage, did well to reach 145. Skipper Michael Harling (46) led by example, with Ben Chapman (29) providing most support. Burnley encountered similar difficulties at the crease, and slumped to 43-4. Chris Burton (43) and substitute professional Owais Shah (27), the veteran former England player, added a patient 47 for the fifth wicket. Chapman (3-41) removed both. When Burton and Shah departed, Rochdale sensed victory, but the visitors tied the scores with two balls remaining. Oli Makin (2-46) bowled Steve Brunt (12) then brought the house down by running out Cole Hayman (0) as the Burnley batter attempted to scamper what would have been the decisive single.
Match statistics:
Admission: £4. Programme: 12 pages (w/a). Attendance: 110. Rochdale won the toss and elected to bat. Rochdale 145 off 48.4 overs (Michael Harling 46, Ben Chapman 29, Cole Hayman 4-38, Chris Holt 3-26) 9pts tied with Burnley 145 off 50 overs (Chris Burton 43, Owais Shah 27, Liam Bedford 25, Ben Chapman 3-41, Steven Oddy 2-34) 9pts. Umpires: Steve Bryan and Nigel Tench.
Prime Location
A spectator at Redbrook looks on as hosts Rochdale lose a wicket, bowled, during a dramatic tie with Lancashire League rivals Burnley. Going into this penultimate round of fixtures, both teams were aiming for a top-12 finish, and a First Division place in 2019, when the 24-club Lancashire League splits into two tiers. The nine points secured from this tie clinched Burnley's place (ninth, 158pts), but Rochdale (12th, 143pts) now sweat on their final game, on September 9 at home to Nelson (joint-10th, with Crompton, 150pts), another team not assured of making the top 12. Todmorden (13th, 142pts) are also in the running.
Both Rochdale and Burnley found run-scoring difficult on a lush, slow outfield and on a wicket offering unpredictable bounce. Dale, 94-6 at one stage, did well to reach 145. Skipper Michael Harling (46) led by example, with Ben Chapman (29) providing most support. Burnley encountered similar difficulties at the crease, and slumped to 43-4. Chris Burton (43) and substitute professional Owais Shah (27), the veteran former England player, added a patient 47 for the fifth wicket. Chapman (3-41) removed both. When Burton and Shah departed, Rochdale sensed victory, but the visitors tied the scores with two balls remaining. Oli Makin (2-46) bowled Steve Brunt (12) then brought the house down by running out Cole Hayman (0) as the Burnley batter attempted to scamper what would have been the decisive single.
Match statistics:
Admission: £4. Programme: 12 pages (w/a). Attendance: 110. Rochdale won the toss and elected to bat. Rochdale 145 off 48.4 overs (Michael Harling 46, Ben Chapman 29, Cole Hayman 4-38, Chris Holt 3-26) 9pts tied with Burnley 145 off 50 overs (Chris Burton 43, Owais Shah 27, Liam Bedford 25, Ben Chapman 3-41, Steven Oddy 2-34) 9pts. Umpires: Steve Bryan and Nigel Tench.