LPCC 2nd XI vs. Woodhouse Grange IV
This week the Red Lion sponsored 2nd XI travelled to Woodhouse Grange. Park skipper Williamson returned to the side, and succeeded in calling correctly at the toss, and asked the hosts to bat.
Eddie Salmon and Rich Foster bowled ruthlessly and with the new ball took advantage of a fast bouncy track. Salmon cartwheeled Baileys off stump with the score on 10. Foster then removed numbers 3,4 and 5 all for ducks as Woodhouse slipped to 11-4. Beaton joined Woodhouse skipper Ainley and halted the fall of wickets temporarily. Salmon running down the hill cartwheeled the same stump again, bowling Ainley for 13. Shipley played a shot a ball, but was soon on his way back, caught Jack Sowersby off Salmon’s bowling. Foster then claimed his 4th wicket, bowling Wright, as Woodhouse slipped to 40-7. Beaton found an able partner in number 9 Robertson, as the pair saw off the opening bowlers. Eddie Salmon with 3-27 and Rich Foster 4-28 from their 12 overs. The pair frustrated Park, with the odd boundary as the partnership lasted 16 overs. Joel Taylor bowled a 6 over spell without a wicket but conceding only 2 runs. Jack Sowersby eventually broke the partnership when Robertson was caught behind with Woodhouse on 62. Beaton struck a couple of boundaries but was then out LBW to Sowersby for a well made 43. Williamson then claimed the final wicket, thanks to a good leaping catch from Salmon as Woodhouse were dismissed for 78.
Parks opening pair this week consisted of Ian Hodson and Ben Shingles. With the dark clouds looming in the distance, the openers set about chasing the low score down. Both played patiently and waited for the bad delivery, which more than often raced over the fast outfield for a boundary. The total was reached without a wicket lost. The final runs struck within seconds of a sharp shower. Shingles finished with an unbeaten 27 and Hodson an unbeaten 46 in the 22nd over.
This weeks Harpers Man of the match was Eddie Salmon. Next week Park will face a sterner test as 3rd place Whitkirk travel to Londesborough. Park remain top of Division 4 West, with the chasing pack all having positive results, with a lead of 59 points.