Norden got an early breakthrough when Oliver Makin bowled Scott Stanworth for 6. Deputy Professional Tom Plant joined skipper Ste Davey and they both led Middleton to 75 before Davey played onto overseas amateur, Zane Arthur, for a well played 32.

Then came a mini-collapse to 92 for 5 with Grant Jones, Stu Fitton and Jimmy Ryan all falling to Arthur and with the score on 100, Plant fell to a fine catch at slip from Norden Deputy Professional, Alistair Gray for a hard earned 47.

The Two Danny's, Core and Royle then added 26 before they both fell within 2 overs, Core for a well played 22.

The tail managed to boost the total to 148. But there was a feeling that this was about 30 runs below par.

Middleton got off to a great start when Plant had Hasan Malik well caught by Danny Royle for 6 and Rick Valentine had professional Gray, caught by Stanworth, and Harvey Fitton, trapped LBW and Norden were rocking at 367 for 3.

Nick Brierley and Steven Firth added 41 with Firth playing the anchor role when Plant vowled Brierley for a fine 35. Dexter Fitton and Greg Tattersall soon came and went and Middleton were back in it with Norden 104 for 6.

The next stand of 38 between Firth and Makin probably took the game away from Middleton before the returning Highton had Firth caught by Stanworth for 28 and in the next over Plant had Cockayne LBW but with only 4 runs needed Makin saw Norden home with 2 wickets to spare with a fine 31 not out off 28 balls.

Rod Highton

Norden (5 points) defeated Middleton (1 point) by 2 wickets

 - The Second Eleven game saw no play as the outfield at Norden was unfit and the game was called off almost immediately. Two points each.

Reports in conjunction with Middleton Guardian