MATTHEW Hodson’s joy at dismissing Norden professional Jean Symes for 21 was plain for all to see at Woodhouse Lane on Saturday.

Hodson was surrounded by smiling, back-slappiing team-mates who seemed to be of the opinion they could go on to win the match.

After all, Symes had slammed the Royton attack for an unbeaten 268 in a game at The Paddock only two weeks ago.

In contrast, there were some Norden fans who feared the worst with their team on 28 2 and still a long way off their winning target of 165.

But. as they say, cometh the hour cometh the man, and in this case it was a young man – 15-year-old Harvey Fitton who hit a brilliant unbeaten 66 laced with six sixes.

In the end Norden got home with plenty of overs to spare and still six wickets in the shed.

Royton were without injured professional Luke Proctor, but they made a reasonable start through Ryan Carters and Tony Walsh who put on 30 before Zane Arthur made a breakthrough by having Walsh caught behind by Nick Brierley for 11.

Carters fell five runs later, for 21, caught in the slips by Symes, then Andy Morris went to a good low catch by Hashum Malik at mid-wicket.

John Punchard was trapped leg before by Arthur, Liam Brown was caught behind for a duck, and Royton were in serious trouble at 46-5.

Stand-in professional Junie Mitchum and Simon Webb then decided the best policy was to try and attack the bowling, and Mitchum played one or two lusty blows.

The pair took the score up to 98 before Greg Tattersall took a catch close to the wicket to dismiss Webb for 20.

Hodson managed only four, but Mitchum got further support from Barry Woodward. They carried the total to 144 before Woodward leaned forward to play a defensive shot, missed the delivery from Symes, and was stumped by Brierley.

Nineteen more runs were added before Mitchum went for a big one and was caught at long-on by Arthur for 65.

Lovell was out to a return catch by Symes and Royton were all out for 164.

Arthur finished with six- 53, while Symes and Ollie Makin each picked up a couple of wickets each.

Norden had only five on the board in reply when Malik was clean bowled by Hodson.

Hodson looked rather erratic, but an umpire decided he would have had one on target when Symes was hit for a leg before decision.

Fitton and Nick Brierley then changed the balance back in Norden’s favour with a partnership of 42, ended when they went for a run that wasn’t on and a direct hit by Mitchum which ran out the latter.

Steve Firth played a bright innings of 34 but fell to a catch with the total on 133. The rest belonged to Fitton. He reached his half century with a square six off Punchard, and made the winning hit with another legside six off Punchard.

NORDEN crashed out of the LCB knockout at the quarter-final stage on Sunday.

They travelled to play Bolton League side Egerton who totalled 141-9 in their 40 overs. Ollie Makin took 4-16.

Hashum Malik (42) and Jean Symes (32) gave Norden a good start in reply, but an astonishing collapse saw The Stags all out for 122.