LPCC 2nd XI vs. Cawood I
This week the Red Lion sponsored 2nd XI began the 2nd half of the season with a trip to Cawood. Again the Park XI with several changes from the previous week. The Park’s XI consisting of 4 senior players and 7 juniors.
For the 2nd week in succession the opposition won the toss and decided to bat first. The Woodhead brothers starting watchfully against the new ball pairing of Ciaran Brooke and Joel Taylor. Brooke removed opener, and captain, P Woodhead bowled in the 5th over. Cawood number 3 Pullein played aggressive shots from the start. Brooke accounted for D Woodhead in the 9th over, caught by keeper Hodson. Pullein was putting pressure on the young Park attack, with runs coming at a good pace for Cawood. Skipper Williamson brought himself into the attack earlier than usual and was rewarded by bowling Toppin for 11 in the 15th over. At this stage the score had reached 80 for 3 from 15, Park trying a number of bowlers to try and contain Pullein. A quick 60 run partnership between Pullein and Liddle was ended when the former was caught by Sam Dodd off Williamson for a rapid 80. Cawood with an imposing 140 runs from 23 overs. Park bowled better in the second half of the innings, although the short boundary was still found by the batsman on regular occasions. Joel Taylor removed namesake Miles Taylor thanks to a good catch from Alex Varley. Williamson picked up his 3rd wicket when Bartram chipped a simple catch to Tim Stephenson. Liddle made 50 before being trapped LBW by the returning Brooke. A few agricultural blows in the final few overs meant Cawood finished with 234-7 from their 45 overs. Ciaran Brooke the pick of the 6 bowlers used, with figures of 11-3-36-3.
After a fantastic tea park set about the run chase. Things started badly for Park when Tim Stephenson was given out LBW first ball of the innings by the stand in umpire. This brought nephew Rory Stephenson to the crease to join Hodson. The pair batted sensibly, putting away the bad balls and making use of the quick outfield. Cawood also using a number of different bowlers to try to stop the runs and take wickets. The 100 partnership coming in the 23rd over, Hodson and Stephenson both reaching their 50’s shortly afterwards. The partnership was eventually ended when Hodson was out caught for 66, the pair adding 140 in 31 overs. Park needed 100 from the final 15 with 8 wickets in hand. With Rory still there, Sam Dodd joined him. Stephenson and Dodd added 56 before Dodd was unluckily run out backing up for 23. With the required rate reaching 7 an over Williamson promoted himself. Williamson dispatched opposition skipper Woodhead for 6 onto the football pitch, but was caught out on the boundary with 8 balls left for 19. Rory Stephenson unselfishly took on a second run and was run out with 13 runs needed, Rory run out for a fantastic innings of 92. With 13 required from the final over Cawood opening bowler Pullein returned. The last over difficult to score off for the new junior batsman. Park finishing 8 short with 227.
A great effort from the young Park side, in pursuit of a total that was probably 20 runs too many due to mistakes in the field, nevertheless Park collecting a decent points tally and remain unbeaten. This weeks Harpers Man of the Match was Rory Stephenson for his mature and fantastic innings of 92 that almost saw the side home.