Read claim local bragging rights

Read skipper Kyle O’Connor has vowed to bombard Padiham captain Callum Clarke with constant reminders of the weekend’s result.
Kyle OConnorKyle OConnor
Kyle OConnor

The pair went head-to-head at Whalley Road in the Ribblesdale League where the hosts secured a 25-run victory.

O’Connor led by example with a composed knock of 62 while Nabeel Ahmed contributed with 38. Conor Lowes then added 33 as the home side closed on 220-7.

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“We did exactly what we talked about in the dressing room,” said O’Connor, gleefully. “We built an innings and that gave the likes of Conor Lowes the licence to come in and smash the ball to all parts.

“We followed that up with our best bowling performance of the year too. We should’ve cleaned up the tail, unfortunately we didn’t, got what we wanted out of the game.”

Padiham’s paid man Ben Heap pulled the visitors back into the fixture with 84, but they ultimately fell short. To add insult to injury for Clarke, he was sent packing back to the pavilion when caught by his good friend O’Connor.

“You never want to get beat against your rivals, especially on home soil,” O’Connor declared. “We needed to instil that pride in ourselves and claim the bragging rights. We couldn’t afford to let them have a full season of boasting. We needed it and it was important that we bounced back. It gives us a lot of confidence.”

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He added: “Everything was back to usual with me and Callum after the game. But I get the bragging rights for 12 months now and I’ll keep reminding him of it. I caught him out as well which made it even better.”

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