June 21st and LPCC 1Xl were making only there 2nd appearance at fortress park in 2014.
This week we entertained local rivals Welton & Brough.
As usual the team never stays the same due to work and weddings, out this week Rook, Lewis and Curtis and in Williamson, pilot Nettleton and 15 year old Ciaran Brooke making his 1st team debut.
The ground looking in top form as always and the wicket looking like a long day for the bowlers and it didn't let anyone down.
Skipper Moody lost the toss and as always happens was asked to bat(I was going to bat 1st).
The biggest opening partnership of the year and I don't mean in runs strode out in Williamson and Stothard and the first ball of the game was clipped for 4 by JW, sadly 4 balls later that was Johns day over after edging to the keeper.
Saltmer came and went as did Greg who played a brief cameo but as always failed to deliver his mass of talent. 66/3.
The Pilot joined Phil mean while who was not holding back his attacking strengths of walloping the ball to all parts with class and power.
Tim had lots of time to get his eye in on this excellent batting track whilst Phil was in full out attack mode and soon brought up his 1st fifty within no time at all. The partnership was rocketing along with some very friendly field placings(2 slips, 2 gullys, no idea why). Stothard did not hang around in the nervous 90's with the field up and hit the gentle spin bowling over the ropes twice to hit his first of many centuries for LPCC. A cracking partnership of 166 between Phil and Tim ended in the 33rd over when Phil now deciding every ball had to be a boundary(still working on his fitness he tells me) was caught of the bowling Boasman. One of the most dominant innings I have seen in a long while and not to be on the end of, Phil duly deserves his man of the match Harpers Fish and chips.
In the mean time 'the pilot' was batting extremely well and bagged himself his 1st 50 of the year, well done Tim. After Tim's departure wickets began to tumble as LPCC had free reign to play aggressively.
LPCC's 45 overs closing on 278/9
Another top quality tea by Mrs J Foster was enjoyed by all(we do it proper at londesborough).
The likely duo of Moody and Tissiman now not talking to each other due to a run out, opened the bowling and Moody was the first to strike with a plum lbw of the opposition skipper Page. A dropped catch of Gittins early on was dangerous as he went on to score 98 along with Boasman in a looooonnnnnggg partnership of 148 that was ended by young N Saltmer with a diving catch by Beevers to remove Gittins, and soon after collecting his 2nd with a good catch by Rich 'body is a temple' Foster. The impressive Boasman was also removed on 98 caught by the ginger 'Anderson' to give nathan his 3rd. 2 wickets in the final over giving Saltmer his 5fer.
Welton closing on 227/7.
Special Mention to Ciaran Brooke who bowled well at a difficult time.
We have now dropped well over 20 catches this season and they have all been costly, once we get this area sorted I believe we can challenge for the top spot.
Well done to Phil Stothard again on his 1st century for LPCC.