Cup exit in Tod’s mixed bag

Andrew Sutcliffe’s side were comfortable 23-run winners over visitors Church last Saturday, only to turn in a below-par performance at Enfield on Sunday and make an early exit from the Worsley Cup.

Fourth-placed Tod should be at full strength on Sunday and will hope to beat the next-to-bottom side.

The Church match was reduced to 27 overs per side and Sutcliffe said the players owed a huge debt of gratitude to those who had got the ground fit following heavy rain.

Church elected to bowl and Tod rattled up 157 for six with 50 from opener Simon Newbitt, including four fours and three sixes, and 31 from Kristian Garland before Sutcliffe (15 no) and Freddie Priestley (14 no) added useful runs at the end.

Sutcliffe said: “It was not easy to bat on the wicket due to the weather but Simon Newbitt led the way and showed his strength by hitting three huge sixes on to the school roof.

“Ultimately his knock was the difference as nobody else showed that sort of power from either side.”

Sutcliffe followed up his runs with four for 26, including the prized wicket of Church pro Usman Tariq for 31, as Tod gained the upper hand.

Sutcliffe praised the role of stand-in pro Timm Van der Gugten, who bowled all the way through the innings and restricted Church’s scoring.

“Once the run rate got up to seven an over and the slow bowlers came on, they had to go for it.

“Once Elliott Gilford caught their professional excellently in the deep the game was in our hands.”

Tod were unable to prevent South African Graeme van Buuren hitting 129 to help Enfield to a 106 run win at Dill Hall Lane.

Enfield piled up 246 for nine and Sutcliffe completed a good weekend with the ball, taking four for 51.

Tod were soon struggling on 49 for four and although van der Gugten made 33, Todmorden were bowled out for 140.

Sutcliffe said: “Sunday was extremely disappointing but we were well beaten on the day.

“Martin Harlow bowled very well as did Gideon Foster but ultimately we bowled far too many boundary balls and their professional took full advantage in scoring a century.

“The wicket was wet and turning so we knew that in the second half it was going to be difficult.

“We lost a couple of early wickets in our reply and they showed us exactly how to bowl on that wicket and we were outplayed.”

Todmorden CC hosts a T20 Festival on Bank Holiday Monday, May 25 from 10.30am.

Todmorden, Walsden, Rochdale and Lancashire League champions Lowerhouse will do battle and there will be a DJ, beer tent, barbeque and bouncy castle.

There will also be an under 11s competition involving all four clubs at 3.30pm.

Admission is £3 adults and £1.50 children.