Match week 8
LPCC X! travelled to Clifton Alliance which pitted 4th against 5th in Division 2 north.
Opening bowler Tissiman returned after 2 weeks holiday in Skegness, also returning was the Drewery brothers Michael and Greg.
Despite the overnight rain the proceedings started on time and skipper Moody continued his success at the toss and inserted the hosts to bat on a dry used wicket.
Tissiman claimed the first wicket of Walker caught at first slip by Rooks ever growing stomach. Sowersby’s impressive form continued as he claimed the scalps of Phillips(17) and Parkinson(32) bowled and lbw respectfully. Tom finishing his 12 over spell with 2/44.
Rook replaced Tissiman and Moody replaced Sowersby after drinks.
Clifton’s number 4 Jamie Butt wasted no time in showing how he was going to play his innings, with clean striking of the ball and the odd dropped catch was swinging the moment back towards the hosts, despite Moody picking up the wickets of Wray(2) and Atkinson(11) both caught expertly by Gamble at gully, when Butt departed for a aggressive 86 of 75 balls by a diving catch by M.Drewery the scoreboard reading 180/6 and a big 250+ looming.
With some excellent tight bowling at the end and very few boundaries LPCC restricted the home team to a competitive total of 216/6 with Thompson finishing not out on a run a ball 41.
After a superb tea it was down to the usual opening pair of Stothard and Gamble to get the innings of to a good start. And this we got as both where watchful for the first 5 overs until Phil got into his stride of hitting the ropes until he was bowled of his pads for 21.
Gamble now looking more comfortable following his promotion from the development 11 was playing beautifully striking the ball cleanly to the boundaries until he soon departed for 33.
58/2 and still a lot of work to be done.
Rook and Drewery watchfully rebuilt the innings with Greg being the aggressor and Charles selfishly protecting his average laid excellent ground work to make it 3 victories in a row.
A 113 run partnership was ended as Greg walked past a delivery which the keeper dropped on his pads rolling onto the stumps with Greg 2 foot down the wicket for 72 hitting 7x4’s and a 6.
James Beevers was unfortunate to be run out due to a mix up, Mike Drewery joined Charles who now was showing signs of been a tad unfit but still soldiering on, Drewery swung the game back in our favour a crucial 19 runs of 13 balls until a sharp caught and bowled ended hit knock.
Rook departed 9 runs later in the final over caught on the boundary for 50(74), leaving a 5 runs of 4 balls. Ben shingles joined Tissiman and took the game to the very last ball with 2 runs for victory, Ben Shingles struck the ball well causing a misfield giving LPCC another 30 points.
Excellent game played in great spirits between both teams on a very flat abrasive wicket.