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Young guns cheer Rochdale

17/ 6/2008

Rochdale failed by just 16 runs to overhaul Oldham in an entertaining high scoring game at Redbrook on Saturday. Dismayed as they were by their narrow failure to chase down Oldham’s massive 275 for 9, when reality sets in they can be mighty proud of this glorious failure.

Stripped by injuries of their regular opening attack, a state of affairs which meant off-spinner Neil Avery opened the bowling, they could only watch as the visitors in general, but professional Chinthaka Jayasinghe in particular, took full advantage of the benign batting conditions to post a formidable total. Led initially by Dominic Ayres, Rochdale seemed totally unfazed by their monumental task which they set about with unfettered gusto.

Such was Ayres’ confident start that Oldham’s captain Mel Whittle, who has redefined the word ‘experienced’ decided, after bowling just two overs, that the conditions didn’t suit and delegated bowling responsibilities further down the line. Not that the change concerned either Ayres or his opening partner, Simon Brierley, though, and these two motored along until, with the score on 81, a leading edge from Brierley was pouched at slip.

Joined by professional Alcindo Holder, the lanky opener retained his role as senior partner and duly passed the 50 mark to record his first half century of the season. Holder, however, seemed somewhat out of touch and was unable to replicate Ayres’ freedom. Ayres finally fell with the score on 107 when, with his first false shot, he mistimed a pull to mid on.

Although less prolific than his predecessor, Adam Smith still gave the appearance of permanence, and sensibly relied on Barbadian Holder to maintain the impetus. Sadly, though, Holder failed to oblige and somehow contrived to hit a long hop from Stuart Moore straight to long off.

Holder’s wicket raised Oldham’s flagging spirits and at the same time deflated the home team. But not for long, as Dale’s young middle order renewed their unlikely chase. Led by the left handed Smith they never let the required run rate rise to an unmanageable level until the very end.

Smith lost Kabir Ahmed, given run out much to everyone’s surprise, but he then put on a brisk 41 with Scott Butterworth and 16 with Michael Harling.

Overseas amateur Dane Currency, with his unorthodox style, accompanied Smith past the youngster’s second consecutive half century, but by now in the last three overs the asking rate was too daunting, and Rochdale were left to ponder what might have been. What might have been had they not conceded too many needless runs in the field due to a series of  uncharacteristic mistakes that should have been prevented.

What was unpreventable, though was the innings of Jayasinghe who treated the small crowd to a masterclass. His catalogue of shots ranged from deft late dabs to bludgeoned sixes, and his 154 scored in just over two hours was punctuated by 17 fours and seven sixes.

It is hard to remember him playing a false shot, and his stay at the crease was a chanceless one.

Jayasinghe received good support from Paul Thompson who notched a half century and Naveed Mohammed. Jayasinghe put all Dale bowlers to the sword except Scott Butterworth. He put in an admirable stint amid the carnage, and his final figures of five for 49 from 12 overs bore testament to his immense promise.

At tea time most thought that this would be a day to forget, but despite defeat more than one Rochdale player will remember it fondly.

Rochdale v Oldham
Oldham

P Thompson c Holder b Avery 54
C McDonnell c Harling b Butterworth 17
C Jayasinghe c Holder b Currency 154
N Maree c Oldfield b Butterworth 0
A Fasil-Masih c Oldfield b Butterworth 0
L Garnett c Oldfield b Butterworth 2
S Moore b Butterworth 11
N Mohammed not out 20
C Joy lbw Avery 3
F Ramzam not out 1

Extras 13
Total (for 8 wkts, 50 overs)........................ 275
Bowling: Butterworth 12-1-49-5; Avery 25-2-117-2; Currency 6-0-42-1; Holder 7-0-65-0.

Rochdale

S Brierley c Mohammed b Moore 23
D Ayers c Ramzam b Jayasinghe 61
A Holder c Fasil-Masih b Moore 33
A Smith st Joy b Whittle 65
S Butterworth b Garnett 23
M Butterworth c Jayasinghe b Whittle 5
M Harling b Garnett 7
K Ahmed run out 12
D Currency not out 14
R Oldfield c and b Whittle 0
N Avery not out 2

Extras 15
Total (for 9 wkts, 50 overs) 260
Bowling: Whittle 10-1-52-3; Moore 18-1-74-2; Garnett 10-0-73-2; Ramzam 2-0-13-0; Jayasinghe 10-2-40-1.