The 2020 season was never going to be about league positions or results, it was a season that was a bonus for players and supporters and a credit to the GMCL and all the administrators that made it happen.
However, victory on Saturday away at Tottington St John’s meant that Sean Burrill’s side will finish top of GMCL Group L this summer and can look forward to what we all hope will be a relative return to normality in 2021.
The visitors lost the toss and fielded first at the lovely Tottington ground, a credit to those that have worked so hard on it, and Gary DeBoeck made an early breakthrough having opener Richards caught at backward point by Amar Ullah and when Andy Dawson clean bowled Baker it looked a promising start.
However the home side rebuilt and Fuller, Hall and Smalley all chipped in despite regular wickets from Ullah and Chris Kaye which eventually restricted the Bury side to a total of 136.
Heywood knew that chasing down the total would seal top spot in the league as Bury CC were unable to complete the season and the chase started positively with Mikey Witts shaking off the lethargy of a tough stint in goal earlier in the day and Wes Hunt continuing his recent good form.
Hunt was caught and bowled for 19 before Jacob Kaye and Ullah were somewhat unfortunate to be dismissed which brought Dawson and Bobby Cross to the crease to see the side nearer to the target. Witts fell for an excellent 50 including a magnificent 6 back down the ground and despite a late wobble skipper Burrill and Cross saw the team home with over 13 overs remaining.
It represents a fine effort from a side that lost their opening fixture and then remained unbeaten for the remainder of the league campaign. Whilst only managing two home games was a disappointment there were many positives to take forward with younger players getting plenty of chance to bat and bowl regularly.
Runs for Mikey Witts and Wes Hunt, alongside the all round performances of professional Amar Ullah will stand the team in good stead as tougher tests will await in 2021. The side should strengthen assuming life does return to more normality and younger players will no doubt be better for their experiences.
Thanks must go to all our groundstaff, Steve Cromarty and his team, and all the volunteers that worked so hard to ensure that a shortened season could go ahead safely, and we thank all our opponents for such good hospitality in such trying circumstances.
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