LPCC 2nd XI vs. WHG 3rd XI
This week The Red Lion sponsored 2nd XI had a trip to local rivals Woodhouse Grange and so were able to set their alarm clocks later and enjoy a lie in, as for once only a short journey to an away ground.
After the deluge on Friday night the combines were left in their sheds and so Park were able to raise a side of youth and experience, even with the 1st XI losing 6 players from the previous week.
Yet again LPCC skipper called correctly and inserted WHG on a good looking track. WHG opened with a blend of youth and experience as stalwart Stuart Craven and Ashley Cattle opening the batting. The wind whipped across the field and made bowling tricky early on as Joe Shingles got the ball moving in both directions. Both Joe and fellow opening bowler Michael Drewery bowled well but in bowler friendly conditions Park couldn't find the break through. With the score 86-0 at drinks the Park felt like they hadn't made use of the new ball. A glance towards the score on the front pitch did prove that things could have been worse at drinks. The first wicket finally fell in the 26th over as Williamson, after bowling all but 2 balls at Craven out of his 4 overs, dismissed Cattle courtesy of a catch from Toby Stephenson. The same 2 Park players then combined to remove Stuart Craven, as Williamson's full array of slower deliveries finally frustrated the veteran. WHG no.3 Procter started to play his shots after a steady start, and the scoreboard kept ticking. The Shingles' twins united to remove former Park junior J.Atkinson, batting out of his crease he failed to move as Ben Shingles quick thinking from 10 yards back saw the bemused Atkinson stumped. Proctor obviously didn't think much of his next 3 partners, with numbers 5,6 and 7 all being run out. The final one thanks to Lucas Stephenson's rocket arm from the longest boundary. Proctor finishing 2 short of his half century, 48 not out as WHG amassed a competitive 172-6.
The 2nd innings started in a sedate fashion as WHG openers bowled tight lines and prevented Park from freely scoring. Spin was introduced in the 11th over and Ben Shingles offered a simple caught and bowled chance to Proctor. Thankfully, for Park, Proctor couldn't accept the gift at which point Ben decided to use the drop to his advantage and play more aggressively. Proctor did remove opener Tim Stephenson as he walked past a straight on and was smartly stumped. Michael Drewery in at 3 started aggressively but offered a caught and bowled chance to WHG skipper Russ Bilton, this time the bowler taking the catch. Sam Dodd also the victim of Bilton, caught off the back of the bat sweeping. At 61-3 at drinks Park were well behind the asking rate, but a rebuild of the innings took place as Ian Hodson and Ben Shingles came together. With a mixture of good running and Ben Shingles finding the gaps between the fielders the Park's score moved on at a good rate. As Ben reached his first 50, Park were looking good at 126-3 with 10 overs remaining. The trail by spin was ended as Atkinson was brought on with his seam bowling. Atkinson removed Ben Shingles in his first over for a well made 73, and a partnership of 71 with Ian. Atkinson then removed Hodson for 29 as the Park stuttered and failed to keep up with the asking rate. The next 3 batsman were all asked to play positive as Park still had their sights set on chasing the total. A further 3 wickets led to a re-think, as Park revised their total to the 90% figure of 155, being 8 wickets down. Some clever batting from Lucas Stephenson, accompanied by Joe Shingles saw Park reach 157 with 1 over remaining. As Parks 9th wicket pair saw out the last 6 balls, giving Park a decent points tally, albeit not the 30 they wanted. Park finished on 157-8, Atkinson 3-19 from 6 overs for WHG.
This weeks MOM and Harpers' fish and chip voucher winner was again Ben Shingles for his 73 and excellent keeping performance. The Park remain in the relegation places but are not out of touch and just need a couple of wins to help climb the table.