Cricket, 1964
1964 has probably been our most successful season for cricket for a number of years.
The 1st XI results were as follows:
April 18th v. Cardinal Langley away. Cardinal Langley 33 all. Greenhill 30 all (lost).
April 25th v. Hathershaw at home. Hathershaw 48 for 5 dec. Greenhill 44 for 6 (draw).
*May 2nd v. Hyde away. Greenhill 53 for 6 dec. Hyde 54 for 3 (lost).
May 9th v. Derby School, Bury, at home. Derby School 63 for 5 dec. Greenhill 25 for 5 (draw).
*May 16th v. Heywood at home. Heywood 58 for 8. Greenhill 51 for 7 (lost).
*May 30th v. Q.E. Grammar School, Middleton, at home. Middleton 74 for 5. Greenhill 75 for 5 (won).
*June 6th v. Ashton at home. Greenhill 61 for 6. Ashton 23 for 1 (rain).
*June 20th v. Ashton away. Greenhill 49 all. Ashton 52 for 7 (lost).
*June 27th v. Hathershaw away. Greenhill 80 for 8. Hathershaw 65 for 9 (won).
July 1st v. Counthill away. Counthill 96 all. Greenhill 97 for 8 (won).
*July 4th v. Middleton away. Middleton 32 all. Greenhill 33 for 3 (won).
*July 22nd v. The Staff. The Staff 76 for 6, School 69 for 8 (lost).
*Denotes a match played to overs.
This season's batting was more solid than that in previous years. Two players passed the 30 mark, Peter Hunter with 34 not out and Leslie Butterworth with 31. These two and also Garry Shaw and Alan Fenton often scored above 40 and throughout the team, scores into the 'teens were not uncommon. Garry Shaw, enjoying his second season as Captain, scored the most runs in the season (113) and Butterworth also passed the hundred mark. The top position in the averages, however, was shared by Hunter and Fenton who both scored 95 and had an average of 13.5. Lees and Ravey also made their marks as batsmen, but were not as consistent as the other batsmen. It was not until later matches that Ravey settled down. Billingsley never really found his form this season although his defensive batting helped to wear down our opponents' bowling.
Hunter also topped the bowling averages, taking 14 wickets for 89 runs, having an average of 6.3. However, it was Shaw and Fenton who provided most of the offensive bowling. Shaw bowled 91 overs (almost three times the number Hunter bowled) of which one-third were maidens. For 203 runs, he took 26 wickets, having an average of 7.8. Fenton's bowling was not quite as reliable as Shaw's. He had his good days, such as at Middleton where he took six wickets for 14 runs, including an excellent hat trick of the 1st, 3rd and 4th batsmen. It was probably this that caused the eventual disintegration of the Middleton side. On the other hand in some matches to have twelve runs knocked from one of his overs was common. In all he took 10 wickets for 75 runs. Schofleld was the only other bowler used extensively this season. Rather expensive in earlier matches, he became more valuable in later games.
Stott again completed a valuable season as wicket-keeper. The general standard of fielding was higher this season, 31 catches being taken. Especially notable was the quality of throwing in from the outfield.
Looking at the team as a scorer who has known four 1st XI's, I must say that this year's team has been more a "family bunch" than the previous teams. Perhaps they were welded together by Ravey's taunting catch phrase, "You were pathetic".
The Under 15's also enjoyed a successful season. They played 8 matches, lost 3 and won 5. Worthy of extra note is Brian Howard, whose excellent bowling figures were often announced at assembly, as was his startling 76 not-out in one match. He was summoned to the 1st XI for the Counthill match in which he bowled exceptionally well, taking 4 wickets for 12 runs. The performance of the U/15's leads me to believe that next season's first team, reinforced by new blood, but still holding much of this season's fire, will enjoy an equally good season.
J.M.T.S., Cricket Secretary.