LPCC 2nd XI vs. Whitkirk II
This week the Red Lion sponsored 2nd XI travelled to West Yorkshire to face 2nd placed Whitkirk. A strong looking 2nd XI welcomed back Michael Drewery from the football field to the cricket ground, and Rich Foster back from Turkey.
With the toss inevitably lost, Park were asked to bat first again. Park looked to capitalise on possibly not the strongest Whitkirk 11, with the man fielding at square leg wearing grey shorts and a jumper 3 sizes too small, being a slight giveaway. The familiar partnership of John Williamson and Ben Shingles started watchful on a slow, low wicket. The score progressed to 34 in the 9th over before John was smartly stumped, after hitting the ball into the ground which then looped into the keepers hands. Skipper Tom Williamson came and went, thanks to a rather ugly looking shot, for not very many. With the opening bowlers rested Sam Dodd and Ben Shingles started the re-building task, with Ben obviously in good form after last weeks century. A 44 run partnership ended with Sam been bowled for 11. This brought Steve Dawson to the crease, still with signs of last weeks pad rash, he wasn’t going to miss the opportunity. With Whitkirk’s trio of spinners serving a varied mix of bowling, Steve and Ben scored freely. Ben was first to reach his 50. The only scare came when Ben was well caught on the boundary, however the no-ball had already been given, which of course Ben knew... As the Parks batsman were scoring so freely, the Whitkirk keeper took off his gloves to have a bowl. Dawson scratched round for 10 balls on 48, an eternity for him, until a loose delivery gave him chance to reach his first 50 of the campaign. The partnership was ended on 204, a partnership of 117, with Ben falling 7 runs short of a consecutive century, still an excellent 93. Michael Drewery joined Dawson and looked to increase the tempo further from the offset. With 6 overs remaining 250 was the team target, and the now crimson Dawson had his sights on three figures. Drewery unselfishly played aggressively but was caught after skying a mistimed drive. With only 2 overs remaining and 13 needed for his hundred Dawson took a risk too many and was run out for 87, the first throw all day that had been into the keepers hands. There was time for Eddy Rook to hit a few lusty blows and Tom Sowersby to show off his forward defensive, as Park finished on a huge 261-6. The third week running that Park have posted 240+.
After an unfamiliar tea of Bhajis, chilli and rice, Park took to the field. What followed certainly didn’t entertain the dwindling crowd. A combination of good bowling and lack of ambition with the bat, meant Whitkirk finished a rather tedious 121-6 from their 45 overs. Tom Sowersby bowled with good pace and picked up opener Gommerson for 2 in the 12th over. Rich Foster went for 19 in his 12 over spell, bowling Flynn for 3. Ciaran Brooke returning from injury bowled a good line and length and was rewarded by bowling Pickard for 12, with the score 54 for 3 after 22 overs. Rudd showed some aggression before succumbing to a Tom Williamson slower ball, that he hit high in the air and was caught by John Williamson, probably not realising how unlucky he was. With the win looking unlikely Dawson was given the ball to see if he could do something special. He couldn’t. A 10 ball over proceeded, even the umpire could take no more, calling over with 1 legitimate delivery still left. John Williamson couldn’t better Dawson’s effort, managing only a 9 ball over as Park tried to liven the game up. Meanwhile the Whitkirk opener Masey was still at the crease, and eventually reached his 50 in the 39th over. With 1 over remaining Whitkirk suddenly realised another point could be had if they reached 125. Cue a rush of blood to the head for Byrne, out LBW to Tom Williamson for a pedestrian 2 runs from 50 balls. Briggs tried to hit his first ball out of the ground and was caught at cover by Michael Drewery, leaving Williamson on a hat-trick. Rushden, ditched his shorts and came to the crease in full white attire. The last 2 balls were blocked as Whitkirk finished 121-6 from 45, Masey carrying his bat for 60.
26 points for Park which lifted them well above Whitkirk into 2nd position in the league. The umpires unable to split Ben Shingles and Steve Dawson for the Harpers Man of the Match award. Next week Park travel a slightly shorter distance to table topping Stamford Bridge.