Read skipper lauds paid man Walker's big impact

Read skipper Andrew Rushton has recognised the contribution of Matthew Walker since the club's professional took on the role at Whalley Road.
Anthony Farran 12.07.2015 Lowerhouse CC v Burnley CC, Worsley Cup semi-final played at Lowerhouse CC, Pictured; Lowerhouse Batter Matt Walker, Burnley Bowler Chris Holt and Wicket Keeper Chris Burton.Anthony Farran 12.07.2015 Lowerhouse CC v Burnley CC, Worsley Cup semi-final played at Lowerhouse CC, Pictured; Lowerhouse Batter Matt Walker, Burnley Bowler Chris Holt and Wicket Keeper Chris Burton.
Anthony Farran 12.07.2015 Lowerhouse CC v Burnley CC, Worsley Cup semi-final played at Lowerhouse CC, Pictured; Lowerhouse Batter Matt Walker, Burnley Bowler Chris Holt and Wicket Keeper Chris Burton.

The paid man, who had previously represented Lowerhouse in the Lancashire League, has almost totaled 400 runs in five matches in the Ribblesdale Cricket League and has added 13 wickets.

The all-rounder added 53 in the LCB Knockout Trophy win over Oswaldtwistle Immanuel at the weekend, building a 91-run partnership with Michael Whalley (68) for the second wicket as Read progressed to the second round.

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“We don’t want to be too heavily reliant on him but if he’s scoring the runs then we can chip in around him,” said the skipper.

“He just keeps getting runs. Touch wood he can keep on performing, getting both runs and wickets. He’s been a very good addition.”

Walker’s influence was highlighted in the four-wicket win over Stacksteads on home soil. The visitors were restricted to 97 runs yet Read still crawled over the line after Walker was ousted early in the innings.

“We were only chasing 97 at the weekend and we still struggled a bit after he was out early on,” said Rushton. “We might have taken it a little bit for granted.

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A 39-run win over Earby in the Twenty20 competition means that Read are currently challenging on multiple fronts.

Read host Ribblesdale Wanderers in the Twenty20 on Friday evening before entertaining Feniscowles in the league on Saturday. They then travel to Baxenden on Sunday.