LPCC 2nd XI vs. TABS II
The Parks second XI, sponsored by The Red Lion, had the pleasure of Rob Williams and his TABS XI to entertain them this week.
Williams called correctly and invited the hosts to bat. Park’s innings was a tale of 2 halves, with the first half belonging to the TABS bowlers and the 2nd without doubt to the Park batsman. At the half way stage Park were 50-4, having lost John Williamson, Ian Hodson and Rory Stephenson to bowler S Raine, and Tom Williamson to opposition skipper Williams. Lucas Stephenson and Eddy Salmon played shots all round the wicket, and with a large boundary towards the wood there were plenty of 3’s on offer. The pair added 75 in 12 overs, Lucas reaching his 50 with a 4 over mid-wicket. However he perished next ball caught for 51. Jacob Todd joined Salmon and rotated the strike well before getting a good delivery from the returning opening bowler Hill. Alex Varley then partnered Salmon for the remaining 5 overs, adding 35 quick runs. Salmon passing 50 with some clean hitting. Salmon finishing with a well made and unbeaten 75, Varley unbeaten with 20.
With the sun out, but the temperature a tad on the low side, the TABS chase began. There were a couple of dropped chances before the first breakthrough was made, Joel Taylor removing Kilby assisted by a catch from Salmon. Rich Foster then got in on the act with 2 quick wickets as Riley and Hill were both out for ducks. Raine joined opener Knight and the pair shared a 52 run partnership. Raine (30) eventually caught by Varley off Tom Williamson, having been dropped 4 times previous. Foster finished his 12 over spell with the ball moving off the seam and the TABS batsmen struggling to play it. Eddy Salmon replaced Foster and with 3 wickets in his first 3 overs, further staked his claim for the Harpers fish and chips. Salmon had Knight caught by Tom Williamson at first slip for 28 and Westmoreland and Flannery both bowled for 0, TABS 64-3 becoming 64-7. Opposition skipper Williams then looked to keep the strike and shield the lower order from the pace of Salmon, however he fell LBW for 13 with the score on 80. Loanee Dougie Robertson bowled well in a short spell, getting some turn from the pitch, and was rewarded with a wicket thanks to an excellent running catch from Foster at mid-wicket. TABS 80-9. Park tried a number of different options to remove the last pairing of A Williams and M Wilkins, but none of the bowlers could make the breakthrough as TABS finished their 45 overs 102-9. Salmon the pick of the bowlers with 4-11.
Little doubt then for the Harpers Man of the Match award, with 75 runs, a diving catch and 4 wickets the decision was the easiest decision of the day for Park's umpire, Eddy Salmon going home with the voucher.
Due to a recent lack of form Park have slipped behind Stamford Bridge into second place, but with rivals Whitkirk beating the rain on Monday, Park dropped further down the table into 3rd, and now require either of the top 2 to slip up in their final fixture next week, and Park to win against Tadcaster to have any hope of finishing in the top 2.