LPCC 2nd XI vs. Woodhouse Grange IV
This week the Red Lion 2nd XI hosted Woodhouse Grange IV down at Londesborough Park. With an early abandonment of the 1st XI game at Harrogate, there was chance for those missing out on cricket to see the developing talent of the 2nd XI. The 2nd XI didn’t disappoint, coming out convincing winners and collecting 30 points for the second week running.
With the pitch a little damp from Friday’s rain, Park were invited to bat first on a drying wicket. Yes, Williamson lost the toss again. The innings started at a watchful pace, a slow outfield changing boundaries into singles. A frustrated John Williamson was caught off the bowling of Matthew Robertson for 5. The skipper promoted himself to 3 and put on 42 with not out opener Ben Shingles. The departure of Williamson (T) for 23 brought together Ben and Sam Dodd. With the pair punishing anything short and wide the score began ticking. Both batsman using the short boundary towards the cow shed to their advantage. Ben was first to reach 50, however he didn’t stop there. Ben reached his maiden century with a single, after some intense counting by dad in the score box. Well batted Ben. The partnership was only ended 24 overs and 162 runs later with the score on 217. The outgoing batsmen, Ben Shingles, only giving a chance once reaching his 100. Ben’s hundred came from 118 balls with 8 boundaries and 4 sixes, finally dismissed for 103. Sam also reached his 50 but followed Ben back to the pavilion after being stumped from the bowling of Robertson for 71. A final onslaught from Steve Dawson and Edward Smith ended with Dawson being bowled last ball of the innings, making a swinging 19. Edward protecting his average 18 not out, as Park racked up a way above par 263-5, meaning Park have scored over 500 runs in 2 weeks.
After enough tea to feed players and on-lookers, the Woodhouse reply started badly as Tom Sowersby bowled Gilbank second ball for 0. Whilst Tom bowled with real pace, new ball partner Jake Hemsworth got the ball to swing and nip. Jake was rewarded for a consistent good line and length removing Miller, courtesy of a good diving catch by Ed Smith at cover. Jake then doubled his wicket tally, again thanks to some good fielding, this time by Sam Dodd in gully to dismiss M. Ainley. Woodhouse no. 3 Bailey played some nice looking shots but the pace of Sowersby was too much as he was out LBW for 15. At 27-4 Woodhouse’s pursuit of the target slowed as Bell and S. Ainley dug in. However there was a lot of overs left to be bowled. The returning Dan Howard managed 4 overs before becoming almost stationary in the field, bowling 4 maidens in a row. Skipper Tom Williamson introduced himself into the attack and the change of pace worked almost immediately as he got through the patient Bell’s defences, with the ball clipping the top of off stump. Williamson struck again 2 overs later, with some excellent work by Shingles behind the stumps. Scrowston just slightly over balancing and raising his back foot, Shingles had just enough time to whip off the bails and claim an excellent stumping. Williamson then got his 3rd wicket, when M. Robertson went back at Londesborough, and was hit on the pads in front of middle. Woodhouse skipper S. Ainsley had been playing the patient anchor role, until in his final over Joel Taylor bowled him for 9, from 60 balls. Woodhouse lost 2 wickets with the score on 60, and the final 2 wickets fell with the score on 67. Williamson and Shingles again combining as H. Shipley was caught behind off a “moon ball.” The final wicket fell to Jacob Todd. Jacob with his first bowl in senior cricket took 2 balls to claim his first wicket, and Parks 10th, bowling D Robertson, also preventing Tom Williamson from claiming a 5 for, not that he’s bothered….
Woodhouse all out for 67, Williamson finishing with 4-19. But the day was all about the innings of Ben Shingles, who claimed his first hundred, hopefully the first of many. No surprise that the Harpers Man of the Match winner was Ben Shingles for his 103. Park now sit 3rd in the league and travel to 2nd placed Whitkirk next week, hoping to keep up their excellent run of form.