Read’s second string land silverware!

While the senior set-up missed out on the opportunity to clamber in to the Lancashire Cup spots, the second XI secured another piece of silverware for the Whalley Road trophy cabinet.

With the deluge restricting play on Saturday, Kyle O’Connor’s men were forced to play 20 overs against Ribblesdale Wanderers on home soil. And that should’ve suited given that Read were crowned Twenty20 champions just recently. However, it didn’t quite work out that way.

The visitors posted 164-5 as Brannon Varley hammered an unbeaten 61 while opening pair captain Charlie Jackson and overseas amateur Ben Dougall added respective knocks of 25 and 26 to the cause.

In the reply, Read failed to take the initiative early on but paid man Brandon Scullard (50) and an unbeaten knock of 57 from Elliot Lowes sparked a revival. Unfortunately the hosts fell one run short.

“I’m glad we played and picked up five points rather than watching the rain,” said O’Connor. “In the end we lost by one run but it was a very good game. Our pro bowled really well in his 10 overs and picked up three wickets but our fielding let us down.

“We weren’t alert enough and we gave away extra runs. Brandon and Elliot were then excellent with the bat. It could’ve gone either way in the end.”

Elsewhere, the club’s second string landed the Lawrenson Cup at the expense of Earby.

Nabeel Ahmed was the star of the show as the amateur batsman smashed 102, which ultimately resulted in the man of the match accolade.

“It was a great game,” O’Connor said. “Read posted 221 and won by 13 runs. Nabeel’s performance was fantastic.”