LPCC 2nd XI vs. Bolton Percy II
This week the Red Lion sponsored 2nd XI entertained Bolton Percy II, Park sitting pretty at the top of the league and the visitors sitting 2nd from bottom, of Division 4 West.
Thanks to heavy showers on Friday the Londesborough Park pitch looked a tad greener than normal and with a slight covering of grass. There was little surprise that Park's skipper lost the toss, however a slight surprise that the Bolton Percy skipper decided to have a bat, on what looked like a more bowler friendly surface.
It seemed the correct decision as Bolton Percy openers reached 15-0 off the first 2 overs, but they were soon pegged back as opening bowlers Rich Foster and Jake Hemsworth tightened their line and length. Fresh from going past the 600 career York league wickets last week, Rich Foster added another to his ever growing tally, thanks to a catch from Sam Dodd in the gully. Bolton Percy 18-1 in the 5th, Hall the man out. Bolton Percy then went into their shell somewhat and the scoring rate dropped, it wasn’t until the 14th over with the score on 25 that Park picked up the 2nd wicket. Joel Taylor the bowler, with Tom Williamson keeping his body out of the way and taking a low catch at cover. The same Park duo combined again to dismiss Booth for a duck. Rich Foster continuously beat the bat of opener Megone, but finally took the edge in his 10th over, through to keeper Ian Hodson for 11. Bolton Percy somewhat limping along to 27 for 4 from 20 overs. Foster completed a 12 over spell with figures of 12-6-12-2, the batsman struggling to lay bat on ball. With Foster finished the skipper gave himself choice of ends, downhill and with the wind obviously. It paid dividends as his 2nd over saw Williamson take 2 wickets in 3 balls, courtesy of catches from Toby Stephenson and the ever mobile Hodson. Bolton Percy skipper Anderson struck the ball confidently and cleanly and looked to attack most deliveries. He had increased the score to 50, 19 for himself, when he smashed a straight drive towards the sight screen. However he couldn’t believe his luck, as on his follow through Michael Drewery stuck out a right hand to take an amazing caught and bowled. From then on the remaining Bolton Percy batsman didn’t put up much resistance as the skipper cleaned up the remaining wickets, with catches from Jake Hemsworth, Rich Foster and finally Michael Drewery at silly point. Williamson finishing with 5-10 from 7 overs as Bolton Percy were dismissed for 65, with all 10 wickets taken being catches.
Park knocked off the required runs in 17 overs, for the loss of 2 wickets, after tea. John Williamson and Michael Drewery falling LBW and caught respectively to the impressive Anderson. Ian Hodson continued his good form with the bat finishing unbeaten on 31, well supported by Sam Dodd (17*), as Park were home in time to watch the FA cup final. Park face, on paper, a stronger side next week, as the seconds travel to Selby II. This week’s Harpers Man of the Match, and gladly receiving his first fish supper voucher of the season was Tom Williamson for his 5 for.