SPIN star Paddy Martin is still coming to terms with his magnificent seven last weekend.

The Lowerhouse ace produced a match-winning bowling performance against Norden, taking seven wickets for just three runs to inspire his side to a victory which at one stage looked beyond them.

The home side appeared to be cruising at 80-3 chasing 132 to win but Martin took the key wicket of opener Josh Tolley which sparked a collapse from the hosts and a devastating bowling spell from the 27-year-old who rattled through the next six wickets as House won by 34 runs.

And Martin, a long-serving player at Liverpool Road, admitted his career-best figures were still sinking in.

“Thinking back now about it it’s still quite hard to process,” he said. “I think it may take a while to sink in. But it’s something I am extremely proud of, and something I won’t forget in a hurry.

“Without a doubt they are the best figures of my career.

“I think taking everything in to account, like the match situation, they are my best, and will take some beating. I still can’t really believe I only went for three runs!

“During the game you’re not thinking about that, the situation of the game takes over and you just try to do the best you can and do what your captain asks.”

Martin felt the removal of dangerous opener Tolley was the catalyst for his glut of wickets as the home side faltered.

He added: “Looking back now, the game itself is slightly ridiculous! The way the momentum swung so quickly was incredible, to be able to be the one who turns the game is a great feeling.

“I think the pressure of the situation and game played a massive part. Once we got the big wicket of Josh Tolley it meant we could apply a bit more pressure.

“The wicket was turning enough for it to be in the batsman’s mind, which means you already have an advantage. It also helps when your brother finally manages to complete a couple of stumpings!”

Martin’s brother Joe is the wicketkeeper at Lowerhouse and completed two stumpings and the spinner admitted it was great to share the glory with his family and teammates.

He added: “My family were all down at the club as they usually are, along with my brother behind the stumps.

“I really enjoy playing with Joe and being able to share the good moments and trophies we have won on the field with him makes it that bit more special.

“It was great to have a good crowd on, and feel the atmosphere that those sort of games create.

“It was a brilliant win from where we were. To go from staring at a defeat to winning like we did was great, it showed the great team spirit we have to stay in the game and not fade away as a lot of teams would’ve done.

“Charlie Cottam along with Finchy (Jon Finch) and Blez (Chris Bleazard), had managed to get us to a position where we thought we could compete, there was more than just my contribution to the game which always has a better feeling for the team.”

Lowerhouse are still competing on four fronts and face a triple header this weekend starting with a home T20 clash against Nelson tonight, a league trip to defending champions Clitheroe tomorrow before a Lancashire Knockout second round game with Rochdale on Sunday.

Competing in so many competitions is a difficult balancing act but Martin is hopeful that Lowerhouse can taste success this term.

“Ben (Heap) has said he wants to compete on all fronts this season,” said the spinner.

“We just have to try and not look too far ahead and take each game as it comes.

“If we try to win each game and prepare properly I don’t think we will be too far away from challenging on all fronts.

“The new clubs have added to the challenge this season as well, so I think all four would be a stretch but that doesn’t mean we won’t try to get there.

“We’ve started well. We have had one or two changes to the team most weeks, which has meant we have struggled for a bit of consistency at times.

“The good thing so far is that everyone in the team has contributed to winning a game so far, which bodes well for the rest of the season.

“We have a really strong side on paper, and once people get used to the roles they need to play in the side I think we will be a really competitive team.”

So will there be a repeat seven wicket haul for Martin over the weekend?

“Obviously I’d love to but I think it might be difficult!” he said. “I didn’t do anything different to a normal game, so will do the same again and hopefully keep us on a winning roll.”