Thriller exposes Boro's naive side

IF you want to watch exciting cricket matches this season then Littleborough CC are the team to follow if the first two games of the season are anything to go by.

- BRENDAN MISKELLA

Last week they went down by one wicket and on Sunday they tied with Todmorden in an enthralling contest.

However, this was a very naive performance by the home side with plenty of room for improvement, especially on the application and game management side of their play.

This side is capable of so much more and it’s frustrating to witness from the sidelines, hopefully the penny will drop soon.

On the positive side, there were excellent contributions with the bat from Dan Stevens (37), Ben Williamson (34no) and Louis Russell (14) that almost got the Boys from the Boro over the line.

Also, with the ball, the team never given in after a clumsy start and some even clumsier fielding.

They are also learning to collate points when they don’t win.

They still haven’t a victory after two games but sit fifth in the league, a position I expect them to maintain over the course of the season, after amassing 14 bonus points from their two games, so well done in that respect to the home side.

Todmorden won the toss and elected to bat on a glorious day at Hare Hill as it confirmed its status as the best ground in the league.

Wilman and Miskella started sloppily and gifted the openers, especially Edgar, a doddle of a start as they coasted to 35/0 off 7 overs.

Miskella then got his act together and castled Abbas neck and crop for 7 with the score still on 35.

Wilman then dismissed the hapless looking Atherton, caught by Perren at backward point for 2 with the score on 51, before Miskella captured the prize wicket of visting professional Ed Moore for just one as he got an inside edge and played on, 54/3.

Boro were fighting back. However, the visitors fought back themselves with Rickard (12), Noah Priestley (35) and Sutcliffe (18) all putting on runs with the obdurate Edgar who made 64 as they took the score ton 151/7.