LPCC 2nd XI vs. Dunnington II
This week the Red Lion sponsored 2nd XI faced 3rd placed Dunnington at Londesborough. With Friday nights rain and grey and damp conditions on Saturday morning, things didn’t look good regarding the days play. An 11am pitch inspection however surprised everyone as the outfield had absorbed all the moisture and the covers had done their job. The Dunnington skipper called incorrectly and Williamson invited Dunnington to have a bat. Skipper Williamson was surprised by a phone call from the chairman with Park almost ready to take the field, Williamson declined the offer from the chairman to pop up to the ground to see if it was playable.
Parks’ opening pair of Rich Foster and Ciaran Brooke bowled well as Dunnington pair Mussel and D Andrew played watchfully. Ciaran getting the breakthrough in the 10th over as Andrew was caught behind by Hodson. Park had to be patient as Mussel and J Andrew frustrated the Park bowlers. Foster unlucky when a couple of half chances were dropped. It wasn’t until the 21st over that the next wicket fell, Andrew caught at mid-wicket by Toby Stephenson off Rich Foster. Joel Taylor then accounted for Mussel, who had played technically correct with some lovely shots on the on side, out LBW for 26. Foster finished his 12 over spell and was replaced by the skipper Williamson. His first ball struck crisply to the square leg boundary by Dunnington skipper J Tattersall. Williamson then removed Tattersall 3 balls later, as a sweep shot was mis-judged and was well caught by Ciaran Brooke. The returning Jack Sowersby took the ball from the llama end and had the ball swinging consistently. Park claimed their 5th wicket in the 33rd over with the score 76, Williamson bowling A Wilson for 10. Williamson then picked up his 3rd one over later as J Snowden was caught at mid-off by John Williamson. The 2 Williamson’s combining for the second time this year. Jack Sowersby now had control of the huge in-swingers he was bowling and removed Dyson and Gray in the 36th over, both bowled. He repeated the process again as D Snowden was bowled in his next over as Dunnington slipped to 84 for 9. Dunnington then set about batting their 45 overs as they looked to leave the ball and defend the final overs. Williamson did take the final wicket 5 overs later, S Tattersall leaving one ball too many and out LBW, Dunnington all out for 90.
With new lucky pants and different flavour chewing gum John Williamson and Ian Hodosn took to the crease after tea. The change in pants and gum didn’t pay off as John was bowled by the impressive J Snowden for 0. Hodson then followed next over, missing a straight full toss and being bowled for 2 by J Tattersall. Park were then in even more trouble as Snowden clipped Sam Dodd’s off stump, but the bails remained in position. Snowden however removed Sam next ball, hoovered up by Dyson at gully for 5. Park in serious trouble at 11-3. Last weeks centurion Steve Dawson and Ed Smith played sensibly against the strongest opening bowling Park had encountered this year, Dunnington’s J Snowden and J Tattersall. Dawson and Smith then started to increase the rate and play more aggressively against the change bowlers. A partnership of 61 was ended when Dawson was caught behind from S Tattersall’s 3rd delivery, Park requiring only 19 for victory. Dawson making 27. Toby Stephenson was bowled by S Tattersall for a first baller, as the Dunnington chatter once again grew louder. Skipper Williamson then negotiated the hat-trick ball. Ed Smith took maters into his own hands hitting 17 off the next 2 overs. With only 2 now required the skipper had the pleasure of striking the winning runs with a boundary, as Park won a tight game by 5 wickets. With Ed Smith receiving the Harpers Man of the Match award for his unbeaten 37.