Londesborough Park Cricket Club

Match week 14
LPCC X1 played host to Harrogate 2’s in which was a battle for 3rd place but more importantly to close the gap on the alleged slim promotion hopes that was reported the previous weekend(16 points of 2nd)
This week a squad of no more than 11 was needed and  in confident mood after 57 points in the last 2 matches.
Moody AGAIN won the toss and decided to bat first and create scoreboard pressure for the visitors 2nd innings.
At 14/2 and lots of overs to go after Stothard and G.Drewery missed out, it was down to Beevers and Gamble to see off the effectiveness of the swinging new ball and the tight bowling from the Harrogate openers.
Beevers departed bowled(7) and at 40/3 the 200+ total looked along way off.
Rook and Gamble took there time to get themselves in, rotating the strike and   punishing the loose deliveries.
A change in bowling and pace saw Rook taking a particular liking to Bartlett sweeping the ball regularly for 4. After a well constructed partnership of 51 Gamble succumbed scoring his highest score of the season and was particularly unfortunate to not hit a half century when he missed a sweep shot and was bowled for 44. 91/4
Drewery Michael now sober from drinking to many Blue WKD’s the previous evening wasted no time in playing well timed and placed shots as both him and Charles began to give the innings a push towards 200. Charles brought up his 2nd 50 of the season, also hitting 2 6’s in his eventual total of 68 after a 5th wicket partnership of 95. 186/5
Youngest Will Stephenson joined Drewery who was in full flow, both ran well together (both clearly got there quickness of there mothers). Michael showed little brother how its done with his 50. A last wicket stand of 32 with Drewery 53*(48) and Will 15*(12) saw LPCC close on 218/5 of 45 overs.
After the interval it was down to little and littler to set the tone and make inroads into HCC top order, after a maiden by the skipper Joe Shingles continued on from last week clean bowling Taylor for a 3rd ball duck. Moody and Shingles continued to keep the scoring to a minimum which soon gave Shingles his 2nd wicket with a good low catch by keeper Greg Drewery (welcome to the game Greg). 17/2
Number 4 Butcher showed his intent by striking four 4’s in his total of 17 until Joe sent him packing again bowled. The next over Moody put Topham out of his misery bowling him for 9. 35/4
Eagling replaced Shingles and bowled number 6 to leave HCC staring down the barrel of defeat, Moody removed Burton for 0 to make it 52/6.
HCC began to dig in as B.Bartlett punished loose bowling and his partner Adib-Hasan supported him well.
After a brief rain delay Bartlett departed for a well played 43 LBW to Tissiman. The wickets began to tumble as Rook and Tissiman saw us over the victory line in the 44th over with a victory margin of 87 runs moving LPCC up to 3rd and 3 points of 2nd placed SHB.
Excellent team performance where every individual contributed
MOM Michael Drewery for his 53 not out