Historic victory for Old Glossop

Sunday 11th August brought the heat in more ways than one. The idyllic setting of Hayfield Cricket Club was the location for the final of the highly coveted Kudos Drinks Bissenden Cup, 2024.

Earning their places in the final were the First Division’s top of the league team Dove Holes CC; current holders of the Cup, and Old Glossop CC; a close second in the league, having never won the Cup in its long history (the Cup was inaugurated in 1969).

As the spectators streamed in, the favourable weather conditions and a well-tended wicket and pitch would have had the teams eyeing at a target of 250 runs plus to post a competitive score. However, runs don’t always come easy in the face of fierce competition and dogged determination.

Dove Holes won the toss and elected to bat first, an advantage either team would have taken. They made a solid start with many of their early runs coming from boundaries, as some tight bowling from Old Glossop pinned them down. Tom Forder top scored with 30 runs. In total, Dove Holes made 151-9 (40). Old Glossop’s Tom Lane took 3-36 (8) and Ellis Walsh took 3-30 (8).

Dove Holes knew this was a score they would have to defend robustly, and Old Glossop took to the wicket knowing that they would have to fight for every run. Dove set their stall out from the start, taking a devastating wicket with the very first ball bowled in the innings. However, Old Glossop held their nerve and kept their cool in the sweltering heat. Dale Pennington scored 38, and they hit their target with Akhil Kalavagunta on 60 not out and Martin McGrail on 24 not out. Dove Holes’ Dan Waterhouse took 3-36 (1). Old Glossop’s final score was 156-4 (34.2) giving them a decisive win by 6 wickets.

After the match a short presentation was made by DCCL Chairman Karl Williams and ex-Chairman, Martin Cooper. The Man of the Match was awarded to Akhil Kalavagunta from Old Glossop CC. Captain, Robert Adderley, accepted the Bissenden Cup on behalf of Old Glossop CC, to the delight of the Team and their supporters.

This was the fourth Bissenden Cup final that Old Glossop have played in, their first back in 1997. The 2024 winning team included time-served club stalwarts Lenny Allsopp and Martin McGrail who played or had been involved in all the team’s previous Cup final attempts.

The match was streamed on You Tube, kindly broadcast by Dinting CC, and was streamed by over 1,120 viewers including fans from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand and India. Hayfield was packed with supporters from many of the teams in the DCCL, who all enjoyed a fantastic day’s cricket.

Next up for DCCL silverware is the T20 Finals Day on Sunday 25th August to be held at Chapel en le Frith CC, where Hayfield CC play Old Glossop CC at 10am, then Whaley Bridge CC play Dove Holes CC at 1pm, the winners of which then go head-to-head.

Then attention will turn to the League Tables, where Dove Holes CC currently lead Old Glossop CC by 28 points with six fixtures left to play.

DCCL First Division

Close calls, big hits and brilliant bowling this week in the DCCL First Division, sponsored by Complete Weed Control. Matches were played on Saturday 10th August.

Dinting CC vs Newton CC

The home side won the toss and elected to field, putting the visitors in to bat. Newton made 174-9 (45) with D. Muschamp top scoring on 81 runs (including 13 fours and 1 six). Dinting’s N. Singh took 3-40 (12) with 2 maidens. In response, Dinting made 178-3 (32.2) with boundary-busting knocks from M. Knight on 73 runs (12 fours and 2 sixes) and R. Nixon on 55 (3 fours and 5 sixes). Newton’s A. Noor took 2-29 (12.1) with 2 maidens. Dinting won by 7 wickets. [Dinting 19 points, Newton 4 points]

Hayfield CC vs Broadbottom CC

Hayfield won the toss and elected to bat first. Hayfield made 144 all out (36.1) with J. Unsworth top scoring on 81 runs (which included 7 fours and 3 sixes). There were 4 wickets for Broadbottom’s C. Petersen (4-39 from 12 overs with 1 maiden). In response, Broadbottom reached 138 all out (35) with C. Pratt top scoring on 28 runs. Hayfield’s A. Ostilly took 4-35 (10). Hayfield won by 6 runs. [Hayfield 17 points, Broadbottom 7 points]

New Mills CC vs Old Glossop CC

The home side won the toss and elected to field first, putting Old Glossop in to bat. Old Glossop made 136 all out (37.2) with Akhil Kalavagunta top scoring on 24 runs. New Mills’ Michael Birchenall took an incredible 6-19 (10) with 3 maidens. In response, New Mills could only reach 85 all out (23.2) in the face of a determined bowling attack from Old Glossop’s Tom Lane; 3-17 (7) including 5 maidens, and Akhil Kalavagunta; 3-17 (5.2) with 1 maiden. Old Glossop won by 51 runs. [New Mills 5 points, Old Glossop 17 points]

Pott Shrigley CC vs Hazel Grove CC

The visitors won the toss and elected to field first. Pott Shrigley made 217-7 (45) with R. Anderson-Fitter top scoring on 88 runs (11 fours and 3 sixes). Hazel Grove’s D. Nunn took 3-51 (11) with 1 maiden. In response, Hazel Grove could only reach 143 all out (39.3) faced with some sharp bowling from Pott Shrigley’s P. Beard (4-26 from 7.3 overs, including 1 maiden) and C. Oaks (3-49 from 9 overs). Pott Shrigley won by 74 runs. [Pott Shrigley 20 points, Hazel Grove 5 points]

Stalybridge CC vs Whaley Bridge CC

The home side won the toss and elected to bat first. Stalybridge made 166 all out (40.1) with R. Wilde top scoring on 40 runs. Whaley’s J. Gibson took 4-48 (6.1) and H. Holden took 3-36 (12) with 1 maiden. In response, Whaley Bridge couldn’t quite make their target, scoring 163 all out (38.4). Whaley’s Captain, H. Holden, top scored with 32 runs in the face of some tight bowling from Stalybridge, with J. Brady taking 4-34 (11.4) with 3 maidens, and R. Mallett taking 3-26 (12) with 4 maidens. Stalybridge won by 3 runs. [Stalybridge 18 points, Whaley Bridge 8 points]

Dove Holes CC vs Tintwistle CC

Dove Holes won the toss and elected to bat first. Dove Holes made 271.6 (45) with Captain Jack Gregory posting an impressive 101 not out, closely followed by Joe Gregory on 91 not out. There were three wickets apiece for Tintwistle’s Alex Brown (3-48 from 12, 1 maiden) and Tom Scott (3-54 from 12, 1 maiden). In response, Tintwistle reached 151 all out (39.3) with Jared Greenhalgh top scoring on 51. They faced a solid bowling attack from Dove’s James Gemmell (5-23 from 7.3) and Dan Waterhouse (4-48 from 12, 1 maiden). Dove Holes won by a resounding 120 runs. [Dove Holes 20 points, Tintwistle 6 points]