Cricket: Thrashing is so smashing
TODMORDEN closed the gap on fifth-placed Nelson by thrashing them at Centre Vale.
All the home side's top three batsmen were in the runs as they cruised to a nine wicket victory.
The win now leaves them just two points behind Nelson and just eight adrift of fourth placed Church.
An innings of 69 by Thomas Lord rescued the Nelson innings at Centre Vale but Todmorden still took maximum points.
Nelson were reeling at 31 for five and 42 for six after a fine opening spell by Stevie Barker (three for 28) and professional David Wiese.
Barker clean bowled Garry Grimshaw with his first ball but the opener was reprieved by a call of no ball.
But two balls later Danny Brown took a good catch behind.
Professional Burton de Wett was well caught at point off Wiese as four wickets fell for just two runs.
Brown and Barker combined again to dismiss David Crotty and then Neil Thompson was run out.
Sean Lemon was lbw to Barker and at 42, Stuart Lemon was dismissed in the same manner by Wiese after making 20.
Lord and Russell Bradley then put on 87 before Bradley was superbly caught one handed in the covers by Alastair Harrison.
Lord went on to make 69, hitting Wiese for two sixes in his spell and two more when he returned.
But then he became Oliver Wood's (three for 31) first victim as the medium pacer cleaned up the tail and Nelson were all out for 159.
Todmorden openers Simon Newbitt and Ben Sutcliffe survived some hairy moments but made a steady start before Newbitt was out at 64 after having made 33.
South African Wiese came in and soon set about the Nelson bowling.
He smashed an unbeaten 66 from just 42 balls, including five sixes and four fours.
He gave Lord a taste of his own medicine hitting the spinner into the school on two occasions as the bowler went for 37 off his three overs.
Wiese went on to pass 800 runs for the season during his innings.
Ben Sutcliffe continued where he left off last week with a fine knock, finishing unbeaten on 53 with four fours and a six from the 99 balls that he faced as Todmorden won with more than 17 overs in hand.
Skipper Newbitt was delighted with his side's performance against a side who were in fourth before the game in the position in which Todmorden are aiming to finish.
"We bowled really well first up and were hoping for a early finish after having them 42 for six," he said.
"But to be fair to Thomas Lord, he played very well and hit the ball very clean and far.
"Then we chased them down quite easily really after a tricky first few overs where they bowled quite tight.
"I think Dave was keen to get his own back after being smashed out of the ground a few times when he was bowling.
"And I think it is safe to say their lads are fed up with seeing him this year after the first game as well, where he got 140 and eight wickets."
Todmorden play twice this weekend away to East Lancs on Saturday and home to Rishton on Sunday. Two wins are required if they are to keep on track to finishing fourth.
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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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