LPCC 2nd XI vs. Selby II
This week saw the Red Lion sponsored 2nd XI travel to Selby II. Park with 4 changes from last weeks win, a return to side for youngsters Ciaran Brooke and Jacob Todd, and the not so young Tim Stephenson and Chris Barlow.
With Chris Barlow stating it would be a good toss to lose, Williamson obliged and Park were asked to bat on what looked like a good pitch, in very blustery conditions. Park’s start was not so good as John Williamson edged the very first delivery of the match and was well caught at gully. John was soon joined by Tom Williamson in the 3rd over, out LBW for 4 to a ball that kept low. At 6-2 Park were in trouble and the opposition fielders were not shy at hiding their joy. This brought Steve Dawson to the crease, along with opener Ian Hodson at the other end. The 2 Park batsman played watchfully to begin with, and kept the score ticking at a healthy rate. Dawson was first to 50 as the chatter in the middle became quieter. Hodson soon followed as Park reached the 100 mark in the 26th over. With a quick outfield, any shot that beat the in-field raced to the boundary. Dawson did get 1 life on 60, a difficult half chance at point was dropped. Dawson went on to reach his first century for Londesborough Park with a cut shot for 4. A fantastic innings. Once he reached 100 Dawson then looked to increase the score past the 220 mark. He was unlucky to be caught hitting against the wind, on the longest boundary for 110 in the 44th over, his 110 coming from 113 balls. Dawson and Hodson sharing what must be a second XI record partnership of 206 for the 3rd wicket. Hodson himself was in the 90’s but starting to feel the effects of batting 45 overs. Hodson was dismissed last ball of the innings, falling 4 short of what would have been a deserved century. Park finishing on 229 for 4.
With the wind still gusting, the experienced pro Rich Foster had the luxury of bowling with the wind. Conditions not easy to bowl in, and the pitch now looking flatter then ever. Selby raced to 70-0 in 17 overs, but still required another 160 at nearly a run a ball. Foster made the breakthrough that Park needed as opener Phillips was out LBW in the 18th over for an aggressive 36. Foster then removed fellow opener A. Bowden and Sherwood in the 20th over, thanks to catches from Dawson and Hodson. Selby's progress somewhat halted as they reached 94-3 after 24, Foster finishing his 12 over spell with 3-37. Skipper Tom Williamson was next to strike, his first ball, no sighter needed apparently, was cleanly struck towards the long-on boundary. For some reason however the batsman hadn’t seen Joel Taylor waiting on the boundary. Joel took a well judged catch low down running in. Ciaran Brooke replaced Foster for his second spell, this time with, rather than against the wind bowled a tight 6 over spell, which included the wicket of the dangerous looking Pearce for 24, thanks again to a good catch, this time from Rich Foster. The runs began to dry up for Selby and Park found themselves in a familiar situation, as the opposition looked to defend and play for the losing draw. Park did get another wicket, Joel Taylor’s golden arm bowling Leung for 10, as Selby gained the 1 point losing draw by finishing 130-6 from 45. Joel Taylor’s 10 overs costing 28 runs and Williamson’s 11 over spell just 14 runs.
Park pleased with their 26 point haul from 3rd placed Selby, which keeps them top of Division 4 West. A tough decision for the Harpers Man of the match, but Steve Dawson just edged it over Ian Hodson, for his brilliant 110.