LPCC 2nd XI vs. Drax CC
With the Tour de Yorkshire cyclists heading towards Market Weighton, the 2nd XI had to get on their bikes and set off in the opposite direction to the village of Drax.
The skippers 100% loss ratio at the toss was maintained as Park were invited to bat on a decent looking track, at least Park would get a bat this week! Things started well as John Williamson and Ben Shingles got full value for their shots, as once past the in-field the ball raced to the boundary. The pair put on 60 in 13 overs, including John’s first 3 of the year, before John (33) gave mid-off some catching practice. Ben Shingles soon followed edging behind for 32, and when Will Stephenson got a shooter and was adjudged LBW, Park had lost 3 wickets for 11 runs. Sam Dodd and Ed Smith set about rebuilding the innings, Sam scoring 25 out of a patient 31 partnership. Steve Dawson was next man in with 20 overs remaining and Park 102-4. Steve Dawson wasted no time in finding his old form, hitting 8 fours in his 29 ball innings, which he was unlucky to fall 2 short of a deserved half century. The partnership between Dawson and Smith of 65 in 9 overs meant Park could afford to push on. Ian Hodson rotated the strike and hit a couple of boundaries in a quick 22. When Ian departed Smith took up the role of aggressor, with a couple of big 6’s into the horse field. Ed brought up his 50 and finished 58 not out with Toby Stephenson 11 not out as Park posted 247-7.
With tea out of the way, Park had 30 points in mind. Ben Shingles was asked to down gloves and was given the new ball. The switch nearly worked as an edge first ball was heading straight into first slips hand before keeper Hodson obviously didn’t trust the skipper and made a great diving effort, and just parried the ball. Will Stephenson, choosing to bowl into the wind, had both openers in trouble and got Ryan out plumb LBW. Shingles then got a wicket himself with a yorker removing danger man Edwards for 32. All rounder Sam Dodd was next to the party courtesy of a diving catch by Dawson. After being pinned down for 10 overs Powell decided to go on the offensive, however he only managed to tickle a Joel Taylor delivery to keeper Hodson. Taylor also removed the free swinging Vickers, caught at point by Toby Stephenson. With the score on 80-6, Drax started to implode as 2 batsman were run out by half the length of the pitch, from good throws from Ed Smith and Lucas Stephenson. Skipper Williamson removed opposition skipper Worley, Ben Shingles taking a good catch in the deep. With 15 overs remaining Drax set about batting out for the draw. 17 year old Will Stephenson returned to bowl Atkinson with Drax 94-9. A mid pitch meeting was held, with 13 year old number 11 waiting. With 5 balls of Will’s over remaining Drax decided that if LPCC would not change their “fast” bowler, number 11 would not bat. After fielding for 33 overs in the baltic conditions Williamson declined to change bowler and Drax were 94 all out. This situation should not take the icing off what was a resounding victory for the 2nd XI, winning by 153 runs. Will and Joel finishing with 2 wickets a piece, and just 1 each for Dodd, Shingles and Williamson.