Sean Burrill in full flow against Werneth
REPORT BY ROGER SMETHURST: Heywood seconds put in a great all-round performance when they faced Werneth at Crimble last week.
The previous days game against Clifton was washed out despite the best efforts of both teams, but the following day made up for it thanks to some excellent performances with both bat and ball, which led to a 115-run defeat of the visitors.
Heywood won the toss and got off to a rare exceptional start. Adam Fawcett and Matt Hood set the innings off at pace scoring at one point at seven an over as they attacked the wayward opening Werneth attack.
The pair looked untroubled and looked set for high individual scores when Hood fell for 38 lbw to a quicker ball from one of the four spinners used on the day by Werneth.
Having put on 86, Heywood appeared well set for a large total but then had a bit of a wobble losing Tom Blundell for no score and Adam Fawcett for 36.
The previous week’s top scorer Sean Burrill came to the crease and continued with his fine form.
Despite giving a chance while on 20 he then scored freely, playing aggressive shots all around the wicket.
Burrill’s innings proved crucial as Heywood continued to lose wickets at the other end. Mark Wright went clean bowled having misjudged a delivery, the normally reliable Chris Booth was out first ball caught behind and when Mikey Grogan was caught at mid off Heywood were in danger of not batting their overs out.
The Sheriff hits the deck as part of his bizarre dismissal. A shimmy down the track, a hoick, stumped and on his backside
Burrill had other ideas though as he passed 50 for the second consecutive week. Dom Fawcett and Roger Smethurst both went cheaply, the latter stumped while trying to give Burrill the strike with Smethurst’s dismissal causing the watching patio much amusement.
When Burrill eventually fell for 72 Heywood still had 8 overs left to bat and it was left to James Mills and Rick Purser to take Heywood to a competitive 221.
In taking the field Heywood were in confident mood and things couldn’t have started any better when James Mills clean bowled Werneth’s number 2 in his first over. Further wickets fell to Purser – one to a sharp catch to the ageless Mark Wright – and Mills as Heywood took control of the game.
In truth from this point Werneth were never in the game as Heywood’s young seamers Mills and Fawcett bowled with great discipline in support of Purser.
Fawcett bowled an excellent seven-over spell, eventually finishing with 3-22 and Mills then returned to the attack to pick up a further two wickets to finish with 4-33.
It was left to Mikey Grogan to pick up the final wicket as Werneth were bowled out for 106 giving Heywood a comprehensive win.
