Some years ago a Norwegian commentator wrote his name into broadcasting folklore after his beloved country had just beaten England in a World Cup qualifying game. Perhaps if a Norden counterpart, in the aftermath of their thrashing of Rochdale on Sunday, had exclaimed 'Can you hear me Cyril Smith? Are you there Gracie Fields? Your boys just took a hell of a beating!', then who could have blamed him.

For the last 20 years or so Rochdale have had the edge over their nearest rivals, but Sunday was payback time as Norden ran out winners of this eagerly awaited derby by the massive margin of 223 runs.

In doing so they rewrote records. This was Rochdale's heaviest defeat at Redbrook (or probably any where else for that matter) and it was the first time a score of over 300 had been posted at the ground.

And the star of this show was without doubt the Norden professional Jean Symes. He blasted the Rochdale attack to all parts for a magnificent 138 and featured in an opening stand of 198 with the rumbustious Hashan Malik. Malik has previous against Dale and he was up to his old tricks again. He is likely to get out any ball, but then again, there is an equal chance of the ball disappearing into the next parish and he was no less severe than usual, particularly after the sixth over.

For that initial stage was the only part of the game that was an even contest. Indeed, the two batsmen seemed to play and miss more often than not and Symes in particular was fortunate to get the benefit of an lbw decision in the first over.

But the South African capitalised fully. He put on display his full array of shots. Deft late cuts, textbook cover drives, thunderous straight and leg side blows, he played them all. His 50 was posted in 59 balls (four slower than Malik) but he then raced to his century in only another 31, during which time Malik became becalmed, relatively speaking.

A missed stumping when Symes was on 72 added to Dale's woes, nor was their mood helped by Lee Cryer becoming the third Rochdale player in a week to damage a hamstring when he failed to run out the stranded Malik. However, salvation – of a temporary nature – arrived in the way of rain and the players left the field for 45 minutes during which time tea was taken, thus ensuring no reduction in playing time.

The score at this stage was 198 off 30 overs but the break did for Malik when three balls into the return and on the charge, he was bowled by Shoaib Khan.

Symes, on the other hand tried to play himself back in but was unable to recreate the same momentum, and on 138 he chopped on to Neil Avery. And so the game returned to some normality although Nick Brierley and Greg Tattersall ensured their team passed the 300 mark, shortly after which, and with two overs to go, Norden skipper, Dexter Fitton, no doubt concerned about getting his overs in, declared.

If Dale were going to win this one it would have been worth watching. And the tone was set with the first ball. Not the way they would have wanted though. Dominic Ayres wafted airily at a half volley from Zane Arthur, and was bowled, and when the same player brilliantly caught Ian Helliwell off his own bowling with the score still in single figures, the procession was well and truly under way.

Rochdale professional Kash Weeraratna displayed some defiance but he received scant support from the other end with the rest of the team consigning themselves to defeat.

Oliver Makin and Symes proved too difficult for them. In particular, Makin was extracting exaggerated turn and bounce with his off spinners and the match which had started with a bang ended with a whimper with Rochdale crumpling to 82 all out.

So, being derailed by Monton the previous day, Norden put their championship challenge back on track. As for Dale, it was the end of an excellent nine match unbeaten run, but they have much to do to close in on the leaders now. Looking on the bright side, though, there is still the Wood Cup semi-final to look forward to.

Norden

H Malik b Khan 79
J Symes b Avery 138
H Fitton lbw Weeraratna 0
N Brierley ct Cryer b Butterworth S 26
S Firth run out 12
P Collinson lbw Avery 0
G Tattersall not out 25
O Makin ct G Butterwoth b S Butterworth 3
Z Arther run out 1

Extras: 21
Total: (48.4 overs, 8 wkts dec) 305
Bowling: K Weeraratna 14-1-74-1; S Butterworth 9-0-71-2; G Butterworth 5-0-29-0; N Avery 14.4-0-81-2; S Khan 6-0-39-1

Rochdale

D Ayres bowled Arther 0
A Dawson ct Symes b H Fitton 14
I Helliwell c &b Arther 1
K Weeraratna c & b Symes 33
M Harling bowled Makin 3
S Butterworth lbw Arther 3
S Khan bowled Symes 5
G Butterworth bowled Makin 0
D Tweddle c & b Makin 3
N Avery not out 4
L Cryer ct Collinson b Makin 2

Extras: 15
Total: (29.2 overs, all out) 83
Bowling: Z Arther 10-0-32-3; H Fitton 6 0 24 1; O Makin 8.2 1 14 4; J Symes 5 1 9 2