2008-06-28

Jacksons’ Fives call the tune for Pott

Pott Shrigley 179 for 7 dec, Lindow 150 all out

Lindow (7pts) lost to Pott Shrigley by 29 runs

Another nearly day for Lindow as a competitive performance in the field came unstuck in the end with the bat in the face of a gritty display from visiting Pott Shrigley.

With a green pitch after midweek rain, Lindow decided to field first on winning the toss, a decision that was backed up by 5 consecutive maidens from Hume (0 for 38) and Masud, as the visiting openers desided that discretion was the better part of valour. No early breakthrough came, though, and Pott’s opening pair gradually got into the game. Having led the visitors past 50, the more assertive Barlow (32) was finally well caught on the long leg boundary hooking change bowler Alex Taylor (2 for 27), who went on to also snare Powell (3), to a catch by Burgoyne behind the sticks. Masud’s long opening stint also then bore fruit as opener Hart (28) sliced a catch to point and Allday (4) was bowled to complete a slide from 59 for 0 to 93 for 4. But another Barlow had entered the fray at 5 and struck the ball well for 37 before nicking Wickenden (1 for 18) to Burgoyne and Squires had Mattock caught from a leading edge for 0 to have Pott 123 for 6. But old heads Bull and Brett played sensibly through the final ten overs, ensuring that the overs were used and a score posted. Bull lead the way with an unbeaten 44 and Brett was run out off the final ball for 14 as the visitors closed on 179 for 7. Homi Masud was the pick of Lindow’s bowlers, deserving better than his 2 for 59 from 16 overs.

The Home side’s reply saw early disappointment as Dave Smith clubbed a ball straight to cover for 1, but makeshift opener Hume and skipper Bracewell soon had the innings moving. Bracewell (49)was in fine form as he produced the innings of the day, driving and pulling effortlessly as a stand of 72 was compiled before a moment of confusion saw him leave the fray, walking in the mistaken belief that the umpire had given him out on a contentious caught behind. Hume, who had something of a charmed life, then added another 34 with Slinn (15) before he finally gave a chance that was taken to be out for 39, to leave Lindow 112 for 3 with 14 overs left. But the home side soon cast aside the favourites tag as this became 117 for 5 when Foreman (4) and Slinn both fell quickly to poor shots. From there, although Alex Taylor (13) and Ben Squires (5) scrambled the score on to 140, batting suddenly looked a lot harder against Pott’s pair of Jacksons, one bowling seam and the other, Matt, tricky left arm spin. Taylor, Squires and brother James (0) all fell quickly and it was only left to Wickenden (6) and Masud (0) to fall to generous-looking LBW decisions as Lindow’s horizons changed to looking to secure the draw. So Pott’s two Jacksons finished with 5 wickets each as Lindow lost 8 wickets for 38 to be all out for 150.