Captain Joey Pryle hailed Blackrod’s legacy-creating triumph after they were crowned Premiership champions in the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League last Saturday.
Blackrod beat bottom side Ribblesdale Wanderers by 65 runs at home to hold off the challenge of defending champions Little Lever, who would have held on to their title had Pryle’s side slipped up.
But they didn’t, comfortably defending a target of 132 as new-ball seamers Matt Readey (5-37) and Joe Speak (4-25) starred.
Earlier, club legend Thushendra de Zoysa, the experienced Sri Lankan, steered his side to 131 all out with a measured 62 following a shaky start at 75-6.
Blackrod finished six points ahead of second-placed Little Lever, both sides winning 17 of their 22 league matches.
A delighted Pryle said: “I’ve been playing for the club for 30 years, and we were talking with the committee the other week. We’ve done a bit of research into the history of the club, and this is only the seventh time we’ve won a first-team championship.
“It’s a massive thing for us, and we leave a legacy.
“Blackrod won the treble in 1986 - the Bolton Association league title, the Cross Cup and the Vimto Trophy - and that’s been talked about a lot by the older members, as it should be.
“It’s like Manchester United winning the treble, something everyone talks about, ‘Look at what we did in ’86’.
“But now we’ve got the chance to talk about 2024 in the same terms.
“That’s important for me, and it’s made me very proud.”
Pryle was speaking shortly after being presented with the league trophy by Martin Axford.
He continued: “Another thing, looking around the ground on Saturday, we’ve got a connection to our community.
“A lot of clubs are struggling with that at the moment, but over the last few years we’ve invited our community in. They’ve responded really well and have been a massive support for us. And we’ve given something back to them with this title.
“I just want to say, ‘All credit to Little Lever for pushing us all the way’.
“They’re a good side, and we knew they would be breathing down our necks all the way. That’s added to it and made it more exciting. Hats off to them, and I’d imagine they’ll come again next year.
“But I’d like to think we can build on this.”
Sri Lankan professional Navod Paranavithana and Bajan overseas amateur Antonio Greenidge have been outstanding this summer - and Pryle wants them to return next year.
But it was nice on Saturday others such as Readey, Speak and de Zoysa led the way. Readey finished as the Premiership’s third leading wicket-taker with 61.
“Tushy’s an adopted Blackroder!” said Pryle.
“One of the things when I took over the captaincy a decade ago was that I wanted to stick with our homegrown players, and eight of the team on Saturday all came through our junior system.
“That’s what it’s all about for me. I saw something in this group of players, and I wanted to stick with them.
“We’ve been through highs and lows, but they’ve learnt over the last three years how to win matches. They’ve grown each year, and I felt this year we could challenge for something.
“I said to you early in the season, ‘There are three trophies to go for, and if I win one of them then I’m happy’. That was a clear goal.”
Paranavithana hit 957 runs and claimed 40 wickets in 21 league appearances. He was the second leading run-scorer in the Premiership. Greenidge, meanwhile, hit 425 runs and took 20 wickets in 20 appearances.
“We identified Antonio as an overseas amateur, almost as the missing piece of the jigsaw, and he’s come in and done a cracking job,” praised Pryle.
“With Navod as pro, he’s been like gold. He’s a quiet lad who goes about his business, and he’s definitely got the ability to go onto higher things. He’s only 22.
“I’ve spoken to Navod about coming back, but he doesn’t know what’s going to happen when he goes back. If he kicks on and gets into the Sri Lankan national set-up, it’s going to be difficult to get him back.
“Antonio, I’m keen to sign him again. But a lot depends on his situation with the military. He’s a soldier in Barbados.
“His sergeant is a cricket nut and gave him six months leave to come over. But he has a new sergeant who isn’t as keen on cricket. He’s working on it, and we’ll see what happens.”
On Saturday’s game, which saw Blackrod recover from an early wobble, Pryle said: “A lot of people were panicking, but I was convinced 120 or 130 would be enough.
“When we got 131, I was very confident even though Ribblesdale have some good players - Mack Spencer, Chirag Khurana as their sub pro. Once we got those two out, I felt we were in control.”
And personally for Pryle, this was quite the day.
Asked whether Saturday was his greatest day in cricket, he added with little hesitation: “I’ve been playing for this club for 30 years, and because of the magnitude of it then I have to say, ‘Yes’.
“We’ve only won one league title in my time playing. That was in 2011.
“It’s massive to bring that back to the village.
“I’m coming towards the end now, and I’ve played in Australia and America with and against some good players. But nothing beats this. Nothing.
“I used to live in the US, and I did a PHD on American cricket. Cricket’s my life.
“I’ve got connections all around the world and connections here at Blackrod. And this means more to me because it’s home. It’s undoubtedly the biggest thing I’ve achieved so far.”
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