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Vincent serves up a treat

Dave Appleton
17/ 5/2005

Cricket

FOLLOWERS of Rochdale Cricket Club, fed on a frugal batting diet so far this season, finally got the banquet they had been waiting for on Saturday with a blistering unbeaten century from professional Lou Vincent.

The Kiwi Test player smashed his way to 115 not out and helped guide Rochdale into the second round of the Inter League Challenge Trophy with a 70-run victory over Todmorden at Redbrook.

Vincent was in imperious form, thumping nine sixes as he took the visitors' attack to the cleaners.

His 50 came up off 50 balls, with two fours and three sixes, then he really opened up.

He reached his century off 97 balls and crashed the ball to all parts of the spacious Redbrook arena.

One six, which sailed high over the sightscreen, came from a tremendous back foot drive which was reminiscent of Ian Botham at his best.

No bowler escaped the onslaught as Vincent and Neil Avery added 79 for the fourth wicket in only 10 overs.

Avery scored 32 not out, with two sixes and two fours, off 19 balls as Rochdale made merry in the sunshine.

But it was Vincent who really caught the eye. His timing was perfection itself as he found gaps in the field all over the place.

He gave only one chance, behind the stumps, when he was on 44, but apart from that he was in complete control.

He had arrived at the wicket with Rochdale on 32 for one.

Watchful at first he really moved into his stride as his innings progressed, and he made it a less than happy return to Redbrook for former Dale players Jon Henderson and Mo Bux.

Bux conceeded 42 off eight overs and Henderson 48 off nine as Rochdale rattled up 219 for four in their 45 overs.

Young opener Ian Helliwell batted well for his 20 and Dominic Ayres was in command before he pulled his back going for a big six and was out for 15.

Needing more than five an over to win, Todmorden had to get off to a good start.

Openers Steve Newbitt and Brian Heywood put on 55 for the first wicket before Newbitt skied Avery for Ayres to take a fine catch at deep mid-on.

Skipper Roger Oldfield then pulled a master stroke by re-introducing Vincent back into the attack when Todmorden's professional Guyan Pandy arrived at the crease. The Indian was brilliantly caught by Simon Brierley at square leg without troubling the scorers.

This was the wicket Rochdale wanted and after that Todmorden really caved in.

Heywood batted the best part of 33 overs for his 37, but apart from Mark Brierley (27) and a late typical onslaught from Bux (18) no other Todmorden batsman managed to get into double figures.

Again Rochdale's fielding was top class, with Ayres taking another fine catch in the outfield and also running out Alan Sutcliffe with a direct throw.

Pick of the Rochdale bowlers was the hard-working Steve Oddy whose one for 11 came off nine excellently directed overs.