Team spirit has been a key to Heywood’s early-season form

Heywood skipper Danny Pawson says it’s important his young side stay “grounded” following their impressive start to the 2015 season.

Heywood have played some excellent cricket this year, and in the last three fixtures – two against a strong Littleborough side – in three different competitions, have really stamped their authority on games.

The rise of Kate Cross, the emergence of the Dawson brothers as an opening attack of potency, and the increasing maturity of his side have Pawson optimistic for the future, but he is also aware there are always pitfalls awaiting those who get carried away with their success.

He said: “I don’t think I can be unhappy with how we have started. We have shown over the last three games that when we get it right there are not many teams who will be able to compete with us.

“What we do have to do is keep ourselves grounded and remember that we are still a very young side and with youth and inexperience there will be some inconsistency.

Danny Pawson the bowler

“But the dressing room is a fantastic place to be at the minute. I think the fact that so many of the team have played junior cricket together helps massively.

“You know when you go out on the field that we are all in it together and you know your mates next to you are willing to put in 100 per cent for you.”

Although it is a team game, individual performances are key to cricket. Pawson is leading the way with bat and – perhaps, surprisingly to those who don’t know him – with the ball.

But most impressive to those who watch Heywood on a regular basis is Pawson’s increasing maturity as captain. Giving the gloves to Dale Latham seems to have liberated him, while experience has made him more confident in his decision making.

He continued: “Of course, I’m extremely happy to be taking wickets but it’s more important that my performances are helping the team out. Also as I found last year it is a little easier to captain the side from the field rather than behind the stumps

“I think good captaincy is down to experience more than anything else. Last year, I was only finding my feet and got some great advice along the way from Chris (Kaye) and Bobby (Cross).

“This year I just think I’m a little bit more switched on to certain situations. But it is still a massive learning curve and I am learning more as each week comes.”

Heywood currently sit third in the CLL Premier Division – albeit having played a game more than some of their rivals – have won their only game so far in the CLL T20 and are through to face Northern in the second round, at Crimble, in the LCB KO Cup, a mouthwatering clash. They face a difficult task at Radcliffe in the first round of the Wood Cup next week, so all-in-all it’s been a fine start to the season, with the promise of more to come.

Despite the team ethos Pawson is keen to promote, there have been superb individual performances with the bat from Pawson and Bobby Cross, and with the ball from Kate Cross and Andy and Simon Dawson, while pro Nicol is bringing his experience to bear on an otherwise young changing room.

Add this to other solid contributions with bat, ball and in the field and it’s easy to see why things are looking positive at Crimble.

Pawson continued: “I think there are a few things (behind our good start).

“The way Bobby has started and the way Rob seems to have settled in really well and is a really calming influence on the lads.

“And obviously the emergence of Kate in the first team. She has been brilliant so far and although she will be missing a few games now she will be welcomed back when she is available again.

“And the two Dawsons have been at times unplayable with the new ball.

“The middle order have been the most impressive so far though, for me.

“I think the likes of Dale and Wes (Hunt) have stepped up to the plate a bit more this year and with the added experience of Ray (Baker) we are starting to look a lot stronger.

“Liam Mason is also starting to look a lot more comfortable on at the top of the order and his confidence is growing every game.”

Four wickets for off-spinner Joe Lovell

Heywood put in a complete all-round effort to start their defence of the John Willie Lees Wood Cup in style.

There was little to find fault in a performance that saw Heywood amass 234-8 off their 50 overs, and then hold Middleton to just 153 with some encouraging bowling and fielding.

It was a good toss to win, and Heywood certainly had the best conditions to bat in meaning, consequently, that the warm weather was not to Middleton’s taste in the field.

Dale Latham and Bobby Cross both looked to have set themselves in from the off as the pair played patiently but with an eye on the scoreboard.

Cross looked in excellent form when hitting a beautiful straight drive for four to the pavilion end boundary, and it was a surprise when he went for 26 to a loose stroke.

Latham continued to bat well in partnership with captain Danny Pawson, and along with a stunning cover drive for four, worked the ball well into gaps as he brought up a very solid half-century before falling lbw to a shocking decision off Steve Davey’s first delivery for 51.

Pawson played with intent all around the wicket as usual, and despite losing pro Farhaan Behardien for just 9, Heywood were well set for a good score on 157 when Pawson went going for one shot too many. It was another excellent 50 from an in-form captain.

Riley Paterson (24) was then joined by Andy Dawson (33) and the pair played some enterprising shots, with Dawson also running well between the wickets to put pressure on the visiting fielders.

With some nice looking shots from Ben Thulborn and some more good running between Tom Blundell and Joe Lovell, Heywood finished on a fine score of 234-8 off their 50 overs.

The consensus was that this was a good total, but there was no doubt the majority of the chase would be down to talented visiting pro Grant Edmeades, especially with the ball doing a bit if the bowlers were patient enough.

The first breakthrough came courtesy of pro Behardien, who bowled opener Nicholls with a beauty.

Paterson then picked up George Walker – snaffled by Chris Kaye at gully – to bring in Middleton captain Grant Jones to join Edmeades.

Edmeades was in no trouble at all, hitting the ball into any gap he pleased, and with the paid-man looking every inch a top-class pro, Jones settled in to take Middleton on to 82.

He was then clean bowled by Dawson, recovering from an indifferent first over, and with him really went Middleton’s hopes.

The South African Edmeades continued to play beautifully, hitting the ball all-round the ground, including one huge six into the gents’ urinal on the BMX side of the ground.

He reverse swept and drove well, but it was at the other end that Middleton’s downfall was assured as Kaye and then Joe Lovell swept through the middle order and tail.

Kaye finished with 2-43 and Lovell the excellent figures of 4-20 with good variations of pace.

There was little to criticise Heywood for on this performance, and the middle order runs to compliment Latham’s impressive 51 give cause for comfort in the difficult games to follow.

Heywood will now travel to Monton and Weaste for a game both sides will relish. Monton chased down Werneth’s 240-4 for the loss of two wickets.

HEYWOOD
R Cross c Jones b Walker 26
D Latham lbw b Davey 51
D Pawson c Lee b Tierney 58
F Berhardien c Jones b Lee 9
R Paterson c Nicholls b Edmeades 24
A Dawson c Jones b Lee 33
W Hunt st Nicholls b Davey 1
B Thulborn run out 9
T Blundell not out 0
J Lovell not out 4
Extras 19
Total (for 8 wkts, 50 overs) 234
Fall of wickets:
Bowling: 1-52, 2-107, 3-143, 4-157, 5-210, 6-213, 7-226, 8-230
Bowling: Harris 6-0-18-0, Holmes 10-3-20-0, Walker 5-1-28-1, Edmeades 6-0-39-1, Lee 8-1-41-2, Davey 10-0-52-2, Tierney 5-0-28-1

MIDDLETON
G Edmeades not out 87
H Nicholls b Behardien 2
G Walker c Kaye b Paterson 14
G Jones b Dawson 19
S Davey c Pawson b Kaye 7
S Warren c and b Kaye 1
M Foden lbw b Lovell 6
R Tierney b Lovell 2
B Lee c Thulborn b Lovell 4
J Harris b Behardien 0
S Holmes c Kaye b Lovell 0
Extras 11
Total (37.5 overs) 153
Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-41, 3-82, 4-93, 5-98, 6-129, 7-143, 8-149, 9-150, 10-153
Bowling: Paterson 7-0-31-1, Behardien 7-0-20-2, Dawson 7-0-37-1, Kaye 10-2-43-2, Lovell 6.5-1-20-4

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