THE second week of Runcorn Cricket Club's 50th-anniversary celebrations went like lightning.
Former West Indies Test paceman Marlon Black thundered in to bowl for Northern Nomads in a commemorative match against a Runcorn Select.
The Moughland Lane hosts were bolstered by two Cheshire Under 17s players but were caught in the eye of a storm.
The Nomads, who also included an Australian grade cricketer, made 315 before Runcorn's openers Iain Williams and John Farmer had to brave the electric pace of Black, currently starring for Huyton in the Liverpool Competition.
Runcorn's Bobby Hough said: 'He wasn't bowling flat out - only 75-80% he said - but he seemed fast to us.
'The ball came out of his hand and next thing it was hitting the wicket-keeper's gloves!'
Runcorn skipper Jamie Hill made most runs in the face of the onslaught as Runcorn were dismissed for a valiant 180 on Thursday.
The previous day saw a Past-v-Present match in which a half-century by Iain Williams gave the 2003 team victory.
This was despite Mike Best hitting 24 for the old boys in a game played in a very relaxed manner.
On Sunday, Iain Williams teamed up with his dad Ted Williams and Steven Sheakey to win a Trios Competition with Bobby Hough, Chris Royle and Chris Tudor the runners-up.
The proceedings enabled the club to recover from the previous day's 10-wicket drubbing for the first team at Meller Braggins Cheshire League Division One leaders Middlewich.
Runcorn were 122-8ao off 45 overs with contributions from Mark Cahill (41), John Farmer (32) and Steve Foster (21no). Phil Davies took 6-34 for Middlewich, who replied with 123-1 (David Parry 51no) to win by 20 points to one.
But Runcorn can reflect on a successful, if hectic, fortnight marking half a century in their present guise.
'Everybody has enjoyed themselves and it has been really good,' said Bobby Hough. 'The club thanks all involved and particularly chairman Steve Gill, who has done a lot of the organising.'
