Farnworth v Little Lever Under 15’s Cricket.        Report by Gary K Mather

An intriguing game took place on Monday at Bridgeman Park. Farnworth Under 15s who had won their last three games, were put in to bat. Their innings got off to a fine start as they progressed to 50 for 0 off 7 overs. Both batsmen looked well set until Scott Mather top edged a ball to the Little Lever keeper. Danny Lafferty then scored a quick fire 19 runs. Jack Axford looked well settled at one end, and Pete Eccles batted bravely for his 23 despite sustaining an injury during his innings and batting latterly with a runner. In the final few overs Axford reached his fifty despite offering two easy chances and the Farnworth innings closed on 143-3.

In reply Little Lever started steadily with Tom Cheetham and Mark Hargreaves in fine form. The injured Pete Eccles bowled his 5 over spell for only 16 runs but Mizan Ali, in only his third match for the club, conceded 50 runs off his allotted spell. It was the first change bowling attack that turned the game with the left-arm around the wicket spin of Farnworth Under 13’s captain Danny Joynson. A superb start in his first over saw him clean bowl Hargreaves for a fantastic 29 runs. J Hill followed soon after and once Little Lever danger man Rob Heyes failed to the same Joynson ball that straightened and clipped the stumps Farnworth’s confidence grew. Despite a wonderful 51 from Tom Cheetham, topped by a glorious 6 over mid-on, the game fell away from Little Lever after his retirement and they reached107 for 5 off their allotted overs. Danny Joynson finished with figures of 5 for 24.
Both sets of players were a credit to their clubs and the game was played in a good spirit. Given the current bad publicity over teenagers’ behaviour, all 22 players showed what can be achieved by the hard work carried out both clubs and the other 12 clubs in the league.