Cricket returns in July 2020

Posted on July 9, 2020 by Steve Hunsley

The Surridge Sport Valley Challenge

We are delighted to announce that cricket will return to Bentgate on Sunday 12th July.

As soon as the Government gave the green light for recreational cricket to recommence, the Rossendale Valley clubs moved quickly to set up a new competition to commence on Sunday 12th July at 1pm. These will be 40 over games, with the 2nd XI’s playing the reverse fixtures at the same time. See our fixtures page for more details.

3rd XI games have also been scheduled for the Valley clubs to start on Saturday 11th July, Stacksteads are playing these games in place of Ramsbottom. See our fixtures page for more details.

We look forward to seeing you.

Coronavirus Update

Posted on May 13, 2020 by Steve Hunsley

5th June 2020

We thought it would be a good time to update you regarding the club and cricket in general. We hope that all of our members and supporters are safe and well and making what they can of these difficult times. With the drop in infection numbers, it does seem that we are now past the worst of the initial Coronavirus outbreak and there does appear to be some light at the end of the tunnel.

From a financial point of view, the enforced closure of the club’s facilities has resulted in a drastically reduced revenue. A full diary of function bookings have had to be cancelled and currently our only regular income is from the HCC Monthly Draw. At £5 per number per month we thank everyone who has joined so far, but we are always on the lookout for new members and if you feel able to join in, please let us know (more information on the HCC Monthly Draw is here).

We would also like to thank all of those members and players who have been able to pay their membership fees to support the club at this difficult time. The good news is that we are confident that we are covered in respect of all of our financial commitments in the short to medium term. We have been able to take advantage of the Government Business Rates grant and we have also secured funding from the Sport England Community Emergency Fund and from the Warburtons Community Fund. This enables us to continue to pay all of the bills that we cannot avoid such as utilities and insurances.

We should now be well into the cricket season and with the excellent weather of late April and May, we would barely have missed a ball so far which is hugely frustrating. We are entirely in the hands of the government and the ECB for any prospect for cricket being played and with the Lancashire League’s initial plan for a July start being no longer workable, we wait to see when or if we will be allowed to take to the field. However in a more positive development, we have worked hard to implement procedures which adhere to the recently announced strict ECB guidelines to allow players young and old to practice in the nets. We will endeavour to keep all members updated regarding any further developments with regard to training or indeed play.

On a day to day basis, the club continues to function. Ian Cameron is cutting the grass and keeping the whole ground in fantastic condition so that we are ready for any play we may have this season.

We thank you for your support through these difficult and unprecedented times. If anyone feels that they need support, the organisation Opening Up promotes positive mental health to clubs, players and coaches and they are offering a number of online resources to support people at this time.

In the meantime, stay safe and look after yourselves and we hope to be back open again soon.

16th May 2020

The committee is looking at the most recently published ECB guidelines (https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/1668576/ecb-guidelines-for-the-use-of-outdoor-cricket-facilities-in-lockdown) regarding the safe use of our net facilities and will communicate with everyone shortly. Until proper plans are put in place and are communicated, the practice facilities at the club remain closed.

12th May 2020

We have received several enquiries about the possibility of resuming cricket practice in light of the updated guidance from the Government issued last night.

The guidance mentions exercise and sport but raises several detailed questions which need to be addressed. Until such time that the ECB issues updated guidance (which they have said that they hope to do later this week see this link: https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/1667951/ecb-update-on-the-recreational-game-12-may) the club and its facilities, including the outdoor nets, remain closed and should not be used until further notice.

Thank you for your continued support and we hope that there will be some positive news very soon.

Professional for 2020

Posted on March 6, 2020 by Steve Hunsley

We are delighted to announce that our professional for 2020 is Senuran Muthusamy. Senuran is an allrounder from Durban who bats left-handed and bowls left arm orthodox spin. He represents the Dolphins franchise and KwaZulu Natal in South Africa’s domestic cricket.

Senuran has excellent statistics at First Class and List A level where he has so far scored almost 5000 runs and taken over 200 wickets. He has also played 2 test matches for South Africa in the recent series in India (2019) where his first test wicket was that of Virat Kholi. The all-rounder has impressed at every level of cricket in South Africa and took the Player of the Year award for the Dolphins franchise in 2017/18.

Senuran is the 5^th South African to play for Haslingden following in the footsteps of Peter Swart (1974 to 1977), Stephen Jones (1980), Rob Bentley (1982) and more recently Burton de Wett in 2015.

Everyone at HCC looks forward to welcoming Senuran in April and we wish him well for the 2020 campaign.

Jordan Shannon Interview

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Steve Hunsley

How are you feeling about becoming first team Captain of the club?

I’m very much looking forward to the challenge ahead, when I was offered the role it was a no brainer to take the opportunity. I’m quite aware or at least I think I am aware of the difficulties ahead and complications that come with the captaincy but I’ve got a good group of people around me plus a VC that having wintered in Australia will be raring to get back in the mix over here. But ultimately it will be an honour to represent Haslingden CC as captain and regardless of the outcomes, I appreciate the opportunity.

What are your expectations of your first eleven this upcoming season?

The lads are fully aware of what our expectations are and that’s the main thing. We have to stick together as a team and find ways to win close games and ways of pulling ourselves out of tough situations during the closer games, a combination of the above will play a big part over the duration of the season.

Which teams are you fancying to mount the biggest challenge for promotion?

Church are a good side, arguably the best team in the division given a proven league professional in Ashar Zaidi & some very good amateurs. Whoever finishes above them will have had a good season. I think Littleborough have a good chance, experience at the top of the order and a good hard working group of youngsters. Also both Rishton & Enfield have good solid sides with proven professionals, basically it’s going to be tough to get out the division!

It would be nice to have a cup run this season wouldn’t it?

Yes, I’ve been fortunate enough to play in a Worsley Cup Final albeit on the losing side but they are top days and the reason you play. We will be looking to mount cup runs in both the t20 & WC this year, cliché being we’ll just take each game as it comes.

You’ve got a very youthful side, how will that benefit the club in the long run?

Youthful as in age but not in experience, the younger lads have all played a lot of cricket, they’ve been in games where plenty of different game-changing scenarios have happened and they’ve got to learn from these situations. They’ve been around the first team environment for a long time now and it’s down to them to stick the hands up, take some responsibility and make a statement. I’m behind them and will back them through it all, the platform is there!

We start the season with a tough away trip to Littleborough, how confident do you feel you and the lads can secure a big 12 points early on in the campaign?

Yes, we’ll be looking to get off to a flying start and get some momentum early in the campaign, as I’ve said Littleborough are a good side and will be a good marker to see how we’ve wintered.

Reflecting on last season, what improvements do you think you can make this year?

Application, I’m a firm believer that our side have the ability to beat all the teams in the league. It’s about applying ourselves better and as above learning from mistakes. Joe Sipocz did a great job last year but things just didn’t go to plan here & there, so I wouldn’t say there are a massive number of improvements required, as mentioned above the lads are aware of the expectations.

Any grounds you’re looking forward to visiting this year?

Seedhill, Nelson CC.

2020 Membership & Loyalty Cards

Posted on January 29, 2020 by Steve Hunsley

We thank you all for your ongoing support and membership of HCC and would take this opportunity to remind all our members that HCC subscriptions for 2020 are due on 1^st January and prompt payment would be much appreciated. Membership prices for 2020 have remained the same as 2019. The expiry date of your loyalty card will be set to 31st March 2021 upon receipt of cleared funds.

Payments can be made by cash, or card at the Bar, by BACS (please email us for bank details) or online by clicking on this link Pay Membership.

Match Report 14th September 2019

Posted on September 16, 2019 by Steve Hunsley

Saturday 14^th September 2019 – Third XI v Rochdale

A young Haslingden Third XI travelled to Rochdale for the final game of the season on Saturday for the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th place play off when captain Jeff Stanton lost the toss and was asked to field first. A steady start by Rochdale resulted in an early bowling change and Olivia Blomley provided the breakthrough with the score on 19 for 1. She followed up with a further wicket and when 14-year-old Lucas Bargh was introduced to the attack he bowled an excellent spell of eight overs, three maidens 3 for 22. He was ably assisted by Joe Hayton who bowled eight overs, two maidens 1 for 14 as the Haslingden spinners took control of the game. The score at that stage was 97 for 6, but unfortunately for Haslingden the Rochdale number 6 was just playing himself in before unleashing an end of innings onslaught which took the Rochdale score to 159 for 7 from their 40 overs.

The Haslingden batsmen made a stuttering start, and the team were reduced to 65 for 7 before 13 year old Jack Fuller joined his more experienced captain and they put on an impressive partnership of 47, during which time the team passed the score of 109 which was required to give them the one point needed to finish in fifth place in the league table. When Fuller was eighth man out with the score on 112 the innings quickly subsided to 121 all out leaving Jeff Stanton stranded on a solid 31 not out. Leon Brennan with 17, Joe Hayton with 19, Lucas Bargh with 11 and Jack Fuller with 13 were the other batsmen to reach double figures. The wickets were spread between the eight bowlers used by Rochdale. Twelve points to Rochdale who finish in 6^th place and two points to Haslingden who finish 5^th. Haslingden 3^rd XI used 20 players during the season including seven debutants from the junior section. Leon Brennan was top run scorer with 153 runs and the leading wicket taker was Lucas Bargh with 22 wickets. The team can feel very pleased with their 5^th place finish, mission accomplished.

Match Reports 8th September 2019

Posted on September 10, 2019 by Steve Hunsley

Sunday 8^th September 2019 – First XI v Rishton

Haslingden welcomed Rishton to Bentgate for the final home game of the Lancashire League season. Graham Knowles was the home team captain in the absence of the injured Joe Sipocz, he lost the toss and Haslingden were asked to bat first. Haslingden started poorly and were 3 for 2 when Matthew Griffin was out for two in the third over, Nathan Thornton having already been dismissed without scoring. Sub-professional Neels Bergh and Sean Hunsley put on 31 for the third wicket before Hunsley was caught at gully for 8. Bergh followed shortly afterwards for 22 with the score on 42 for 4. Graham Knowles and Lawrence Adlum put on 34 for the fifth wicket before Adlum was stumped for 6. Oliver Cameron scored 8 and when he was dismissed the score was 90 for 6. Graham Knowles top scored for Haslingden with 45 but was bowled with the score on 103. Jordan Shannon was dismissed without scoring, Oliver Nicholls followed shortly afterwards for 1 with the score on 104 for 9. Last pair Oliver Lord and Ethan Stanton put on 19 in a vital last wicket partnership before Lord was bowled for 12, Haslingden finishing on 123 all out. Rishton spinner Luke Eddleston took 4 for 46 from his 15 overs.

Rishton started brightly until Oliver Lord removed Richie Fox who was caught behind by Ethan Stanton for 8 when the score was on 20. Matthew Griffin took a stunning one-handed return catch to remove the Rishton sub professional Ashen Silva for 12 and Neels Bergh removed the hard hitting Sajid Patel for 36 to reduce Rishton to 69 for 3. Sean Hunsley and Neels Bergh reduced the scoring rate with some accurate bowling backed up by some excellent fielding. When Hunsley bowled the Rishton captain Brad Boddie for 7 with the score on 78 for 5, the pressure told on the Rishton middle order and, with Hunsley taking four wickets and Bergh three, Rishton were reduced to 98 for 9. Danny Curran and Matthew Bradley took the score to 112 before Curran was caught by Oliver Nicholls off the bowling of Oliver Lord and Haslingden won by 11 runs. Sean Hunsley was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 for 32 from his 15 overs, Neels Bergh took 3 for 22 from his 13 overs. 12 points to Haslingden and 6 points to Rishton.

Sunday 8^th September 2019 – 2^nd XI v Church

Haslingden travelled to Blackburn Road to take on Church 2^nd XI in their final game of the season. The Church captain McDonagh won the toss and asked the Division 2 Champions to bat first on what was a very soft and difficult wicket. Matthew Sudworth and Jeff Stanton opened the innings and put on 67 for the first wicket before Sudworth was out for a rapid 43. Stanton was third out for 30 when the score was 102. The other batsmen who made double figures were Alex Jeffrey with 20, Tom Richards 17 and Joseph Blomley 12 in the very competitive Haslingden total of 158 all out from 44 overs.

Haslingden made short work of bowling out Church for a total of 45 in 23 overs. Only Nathaniel Young reached double figures. The wickets were shared between the Haslingden bowlers with Alex Jeffrey taking 3 for 21 from 9 overs and Tom Horrocks taking 3 for 10 in his 7 overs. 16 year old Niall Clarke took 3 for 5 in his 3 overs which included an excellent slip catch by Matthew Sudworth and 14 year old Lucas Bargh took the other wicket to fall when he dismissed Muneeb Alam for 2. The average age of both sides was very low with a lot of promising youngsters on both teams. 12 points to Haslingden and 2 points to Church.

17 year old Tom Horrocks finished as the leading 2^nd XI wicket taker in Division 2 of the Lancashire League with 42 wickets for the season.

Match Reports – Sunday 1st September 2019

Posted on September 2, 2019 by Steve Hunsley

Sunday 1^st September 2019 – First XI v Great Harwood

Haslingden First XI travelled to Great Harwood for their final away game of the season. Unfortunately, the ground was deemed to be unfit for play as the wicket was extremely wet and the umpires called off the game shortly after 2.30pm. 3 points to each team.

Sunday 1^st September 2019 – Second XI v Great Harwood

Great Harwood were the visitors to Bentgate as the Haslingden Second XI sought the five points they required to be promoted as 2019 Champions to Division One. Captain Tom Richards won the toss and decided to bowl first in a rain affected game. Haslingden got off to a good start and two wickets from Alex Jeffrey reduced Great Harwood to 8 for 2 early on. There were then several interruptions for rain, with the covers coming on and going off on at least three occasions in a short space of time. When the game finally resumed, the match was reduced to 37 overs a side and Great Harwood moved the score onto 62 before Zeain Ali was out, caught by an excellent catch by vice-captain Ian Cameron to be the first of Joe Hayton’s five wickets. The Great Harwood middle order all scored over 20, and when Jason Kayley was bowled by Tom Horrocks the score was 141 for 7. Haslingden stuck to their task and the last wicket fell in the final over as Great Harwood posted a score of 158. Joe Hayton was the pick of the Haslingden bowlers with 5 for 48 in his 11.4 overs.

Nathan Thornton and Matthew Sudworth opened the batting and put on a classy 55 before Thornton was out lbw for 19. Sudworth followed shortly afterwards for the innings’ top score of 39 when the score was 65 for 2. The next batsmen struggled to score quickly, but Oliver Nicholls and Tom Horrocks gave the innings momentum and when Tom Richards joined Nicholls in the middle the score was 119 and Haslingden required 38 from 9 overs. Nicholls was out for 20 with the score on 127, by which time Haslingden had achieved the five points they needed to be Champions. When Joe Hayton was out with the score on 145, Haslingden required 12 from 2 overs to reach the revised Duckworth Lewis target of 156. Richards stepped up a gear and in a fitting finale to the last home game of the season he smashed the third ball of the last over for six to take the score to 160 and Haslingden won by three wickets.

Twelve points to Haslingden and they are Division 2 Champions for 2019 with one game still to play. A presentation of the cup and individual trophies was made after the game by Mike Bibby, Chairman of the Lancashire League.

Match Reports 24th – 26th August 2019

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Steve Hunsley

Saturday 24^th and Sunday 25^th August 2019 – First XI v Milnrow and Littleborough

Haslingden took on Milnrow at Ladyhouse on Saturday and Littleborough at Bentgate on Sunday. At Milnrow captain Joe Sipocz lost the toss and was asked to bat first by the Milnrow captain David Bebb. Matthew Griffin and Lawrence Adlum opened the batting and put on 137 for the first wicket before Adlum was caught and bowled by the Milnrow professional Asif Zakir for 48. Haslingden professional Ryan Burl added 57 with Matthew Griffin for the second wicket as Griffin went on to score his maiden Lancashire League century. When Griffin was out for 115, Sean Hunsley with 24 not out and Joe Sipocz with 26 not out put on an unbeaten 46 to take the score onto 273 for 5 after 50 overs. Milnrow were reduced to 8 for 4 early on in their innings, and only David Bebb with 40 and Matthew Barlow with 25 reached double figures. When Bebb was dismissed by a stunning Jordan Shannon slip catch off the bowling of Matthew Griffin, wickets tumbled quickly and Milnrow were bowled out for 91 in 31.2 overs. Garry Sudworth took 3 for 19 in his seven overs, Sean Hunsley took 3 for 7 in 4.1 overs and Matthew Griffin took 2 for 7 in his 5 overs. 12 points to Haslingden.

On Sunday, Littleborough were the visitors to Bentgate when Joe Sipocz won the toss and elected to bat. Unfortunately, the Haslingden season long batting struggles returned to haunt them and only Alex Coleman and Oliver Lord who both scored 22 reached 20 or more. Haslingden were bowled out for 103 in 47 overs and owed a considerable amount to Lord and Ethan Stanton who put on 35 for the last wicket. Haslingden started well and had Littleborough at 21 for 3 when their professional Travis Townsend was out for 5, but Clinton Perrin and Ryan Miskella took the score onto 103 before Miskella was caught behind for 33 off the bowling of Jordan Shannon. Littleborough scored the one run they needed for victory and won the game by six wickets, Perrin finished on 38 not out. Ryan Burl took 2 for 36 in his 15 overs. 12 points to Littleborough.

Sunday 25^th August 2019 – 2^nd XI v Littleborough

The 2^nd XI had no game on Saturday as Milnrow could not raise a team and conceded the game. This gave Haslingden 12 points which was sufficient to confirm their promotion to Division One for next season.

On Sunday at Littleborough, Haslingden captain Tom Richards won the toss and decided to bat first. Nathan Thornton was out with the score on 13, but a 66-run partnership between Jeff Stanton and Leon Brennan took the score to 79 before Stanton was caught for 32 off the bowling of Louis Russell. Brennan went on to top score with 41 before he was dismissed for the first time this season with the score on 115. The only other innings of note was Tom Horrocks who scored 23, as Haslingden posted a score of 147 for 9 from their 45 overs. Littleborough’s Lewis Eadsforth took 3 for 20 from his 10 overs and Louis Russell took 3 for 34 from 9 overs.

Wickets fell steadily during the Littleborough’s innings and only Shazan Reeza with 20 and Mudasser Butt with 21 scored 20 or more. When Butt was dismissed the score was 91 for 5 and Littleborough offered little resistance from then on and were bowled out for 117 in the 41^st over. Tom Horrocks took 5 for 22 in his 11.3 overs and Ian Cameron took 2 for 32 in his 7 overs. Twelve points to Haslingden in their quest to be promoted as champions.

Monday 26^th August 2019 – 3^rd XI v Nelson

Haslingden took on Nelson 3^rd XI at Bentgate on a very hot and sunny Bank Holiday Monday in their first 4^th, 5^th and 6^th play-off game. Both teams were made up of talented young players and Haslingden captain Jeff Stanton lost the toss and Nelson batted first. Haslingden’s Carter Travers took the first wicket when the score was on 2 but Nelson progressed onto 39 before Dinning became the first of Lucas Bargh’s three wickets when he was dismissed for 10. Jack Bradley scored 47 and was the fifth man out with the score on 90. Tom Garner offered more resistance with 25 and was the last man out as Nelson reached 115 in 34.2 overs. Lucas Bargh was the pick of the Haslingden bowlers with 3 for 28 in his 8 overs.

In reply Haslingden progressed steadily towards their target. They were 63 for 3 when Lucas Bargh was out, but there was then a middle order collapse to reduce the team to 85 for 8. Jeff Stanton with a patient 7 put on 22 with Tom Horrocks for the ninth wicket before he was out with the score on 107. This brought Ethan Stanton to the wicket and the last pair played very sensibly as Horrocks scored the winning runs with 5.5 overs to spare and he finished on 60 not out. Nelson’s Matthew Pettinger took 3 for 23 in his eight overs. Twelve points to Haslingden and five points to Nelson in an excellent, competitive game.

Match Reports 17/18 August 2019

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Steve Hunsley

Saturday 17^th August 2019 – 3^rd XI v Middleton

Haslingden took on Middleton at Bentgate on a relatively sunny day after heavy rain all week. Captain Jeff Stanton lost the toss and Middleton batted first in a game reduced to 30 overs. Middleton made a steady start and reached 29 before the first wicket fell, caught by Michael Blomley bowled by Joseph Blomley. The introduction of Olivia Blomley saw Middleton reduced to 34 for 4 with two wickets each for Olivia and Joseph. Joe Hayton took a further wicket with the score on 34 but then a quick fire 36 from 18-year-old Middleton first teamer James Tierney took the score to 73 before Michael Blomley broke the partnership and Joe Hayton took another two quick wickets. Middleton’s Mark Tierney scored a patient 11 before Michael Blomley finished the innings with two further wickets and in his 5.3 overs he took 3 for 6 leaving Middleton 96 all out. Joe Hayton took 3 for 30, Joseph Blomley 2 for 7 and Olivia Blomley 2 for 21. It was indeed a Tierney/Blomley show!

In reply Haslingden were reduced to 36 for 4 after 17 overs, but some lusty blows from Oliver Gardner in his 17 and a swashbuckling 20 not out by Jeff Stanton gave Haslingden a chance of victory going into the final overs. Unfortunately, Haslingden fell six runs short and were 90 for 9 in their 30 overs. The seven points Haslingden gained were sufficient for the young team to finish second in their group and qualify for the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th place play offs in the next couple of weeks. Ten points to Middleton in a competitive game played as a result of the new Haslingden drainage system and excellent work from the groundsmen.

Sunday 18^th August 2019 – 1^st XI v Colne

At Bentgate on Sunday the Haslingden 1^st XI took on Colne who won the toss and asked Haslingden to bat first. Matthew Griffin and Lawrence Adlum opened the batting and put on 33 before Griffin was caught for a patient 20. Haslingden’s season long struggles with the bat continued and Sean Hunsley with 16 was the only other batsman to reach double figures. Haslingden were dismissed for 86 with 7.9 overs of their 50 remaining. The Colne professional James Price finished with 7 for 32 in an impressive 14 over spell.

Colne lost two early wickets to Garry Sudworth and were 5 for 2 when the game was suspended for the first rain break. Sadly, as Colne progressed to 33 for 2 further rain breaks condemned the match to be abandoned which was a result that neither side really wanted. Three points to each team, Colne remain top of the table and Haslingden remain in third place.

Sunday 18^th August 2019 – 2^nd XI v Lowerhouse

On Sunday at Liverpool Road League leaders Haslingden took on second placed Lowerhouse with captain Tom Richards winning the toss and putting Lowerhouse in to bat. The Lowerhouse innings started quietly and the score progressed to 22 for 1 before the game was grabbed by the scruff of the neck by Tom Richards. In a brilliant spell of 12 overs he took 6 for 15, ably assisted by veteran Ian Cameron who took 2 for 14 in 11.2 overs and Joseph Blomley who took for 2 for 10 to dismiss Lowerhouse for 58 in 35.2 overs.

The Haslingden innings did not start as planned, and the team were reduced to 9 for 3 before Oliver Cameron and Leon Brennan frustrated the experienced Lowerhouse bowling line up with a stand of 32. This was by far and away the highest partnership of the game and a great effort from two young players with bright futures in the game. Oliver Cameron was given out lbw for a patient 11 but man of the match Tom Richards joined Brennan to see the team home. Richards finished on 9 not out, Brennan finished on 10 not out and the game was won with 28 overs to spare. Twelve points to Haslingden who completed the league double over their closest challengers.