CAREER-BEST figures of 6-30 from Nelson skipper Neil Thompson helped swing the derby against Colne in his side’s favour at the Horsfield on Sunday.
Nelson visited Colne with Timecyn Maruma, a Zimbabwe international, standing in as substitute professional, whilst Colne had Leyland’s paid man, Brett Pelser.
Colne won the toss after drizzle had delayed the start, and asked Nelson to take first knock.
It was a 45-over affair but, as it happened, neither team needed that many overs!
Chris Heap and Tyler McGladdery opened the innings and worked hard to provide a decent foundation.
They put on 46 - the highest partnership of the match - before Heap was bowled by Pelser for 15.
Young McGladdery built a solid innings as he occupied the crease for 90 minutes, and his score of 28 was not only the highest of the innings but of immense value to his side.
Maruma only managed seven runs and David Crotty (0) and Thompson (1) soon followed him back to the pavilion as Nelson slumped from 62-1 to 64 - when McGladdery was caught off a leading edge.
Richard Meade hit a bright and breezy 18, but no other batsman made a significant contribution as Nelson folded for 106.
Pelser had stuck to his task admirably to return splendid figures of 9-32.
Opener Khurrum Nazir threatened to win the match for Colne as he made 37, the top score of the match.
Unfortunately for Colne, only Pelser amongst the remaining batsmen made double figures.
Even at 89-5 with 14 overs remaining, Colne looked favourites to win, but Thompson had other ideas.
Maruma bowled just short of 20 excellent overs, and, with Colne needing four to win, he trapped Qureshi leg-before to finish with 3-36.
Colne were without a fixture the previous day, but Nelson visited Rishton to play a re-arranged match - though theyprobably wished they hadn’t!
They were way off form and came up against Ali Sartaj, whose slow left-arm bowling was top drawer.
Sartaj returned figures of 6-23 and was in total command.
There was some over-zealous appealing from the Rishton fielders ,and three of his wickets were lbw decisions, but Nelson had no answer to his spin.
Nelson won the toss and elected to take first knock, but soon regretted that decision, losing three wickets in reaching 15 runs.
Openers Heap (2) and McGladdery (7), plus Crotty (0), all fell to Sartaj and it was left to Joe Scuderi, standing in as sub-pro again, and captain Thompson to rescue the innings.
They put on 35 runs together as they both made 18 but then both were dismissed as four wickets fell in the fifties.
Only Tom Bradshaw (11) made it into double figures thereafter as Nelson collapsed to 72 all out.
Nelson tried six bowlers in an attempt to dislodge the Rishton openers, but skipper Jimmy Bibby and professional Daniel Salpietro never looked to be in any danger of losing their wickets.
They put on 72 runs within 17 overs before Salpietro was run out for 34, going for the winning run. Bibby hit those winning runs in the next over to finish unbeaten on 30.
As far as Nelson were concerned, it was a day to forget - quickly.
As the season comes to an end this weekend, Nelson face league-leaders Lowerhouse tomorrow and East Lancashire on Sunday, with both matches at Seedhill.
Colne are at home to Burnley tomorrow, and are at Todmorden on Sunday.
The games see wickets pitched at 1 p.m. as normal.
• NELSON Cricket Club will be holding an end of season family social evening tomorrow at 7-30 p.m. in the club house at Seedhill.
Top local DJ Benny will provide the entertainment with his popular mix of music, fun and games. Admission at the door is £2 and £1 for concessions.
Following the disappointing summer weather, the evening will help to raise essential funds for the club.
Suppers are available.
A raffle will be held on the evening and donations of prizes will be welcomed on the evening or by contacting the club on 614810.