Cricket: Double joy in team effort
A GREAT team effort - that was Todmorden skipper Simon Newbitt's view of a double-winning weekend.
It was a hard fought victory away on Saturday and a convincing win at home next day.
"It was just a real team effort with excellent bowling and batting under pressure," said Newbitt.
On Saturday East Lancs' title hope looked to have disappeared as they went down to a third successive defeat this time at the hands of the Centre Vale men by five wickets.
Dave Pearson made 40 and Dave Turner 38 in the home sides 157 all out.
Todmorden's James Morgan took three for 45 and Lee Pearson three for 26.
In reply Mark Bolton removed opener Ben Sutcliffe for 19 at 39 and professional Brendan Nash picked up his opposite number Todmorden's in form South African David Wiese for 23.
It was left to skipper Newbitt to steady his side as he hit 58 to help secure the points.
He hit three fours and three sixes from 98 balls with Nick Barker unbeaten on 23 and Stevie Barker also hitting 26.
On Sunday it was an unbeaten 74 by Wiese which took Todmorden to an eight wicket win over Rishton at Centre Vale.
Bowlers Stevie Barker and Lee Pearson dealt with the Rishton batsmen.
Barker took took four for 60 and Pearson three for 40 in Rishton's innings of 174 all out. Mo Patel top scored with 38.
Matt Lambert removed Ben Sutcliffe for 16 at 48 in Todmorden's reply.
Then Andrea Agathagelou picked up Newbitt for 36 at 64.
But Wiese took control and added 111 with Nick Barker (27 not out), hitting four fours and three sixes as he passed 900 runs for the season to lead Todmorden home with more than 10 overs to spare.
Todmorden have two games again next weekend away to lowly opposition, away at Colne and home to Enfield.
It may give Wiese the opportunity to pass 1,000 runs for the season in what will be his last two games for the club.
"He has made sure we are pushing hard towards the end of the season and with it being his last two games next weekend, he wants to leave us with a bang," added Newbitt.
l Todmorden's second team had a good win at Rishton.
They skittled the home side out for a meagre 67 with Freddie Priestley taking three for 13 and Stuart Priestley three for 18.
In reply Todmorden had little trouble in knocking off the runs.
Tom Marsh top scored with 26 not out although they lose three cheap wickets.
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Weather for Halifax
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 5 C
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Wind direction: North west
