5 July 2008, Lindow CC 1st XI vs. Stockport (h)
Lindow Lose it Porritt-Fashion
Lindow 135 all out, Stockport 137 for 4
Lindow (6pts) lost to Stockport (25) by 6 wickets
Lindow's poor form continued on Saturday when they endured a chastening 6 wicket defeat in only 55 overs of play at the hands of league leaders Stockport.
Batting first, the home side got a decent platform from Fernyhough (18) and Farmer (20) as they saw out the first ten overs and put 38 on the board in comfortable style. However, mayhem ensued after the first wicket fell as Lindow's batsmen alternated exciting attacking play with regular donations of wickets to the visitor’s bemused bowlers, who did no more than bowl straight and full to reap their rewards. Skipper Bracewell was unlucky to be brilliantly caught and bowled for just 3, but few others sold their wickets dearly enough as the Upcast Lane side were bowled out for 135 in just the 33rd over. Ben Squires (36) did show welcome signs of returning form as he played some fine shots, including two crisp sixes, and his partnership of 40 with Dave Foreman (16) briefly threatened a recovery, but when Foreman’s stumping was quickly followed by Alex Taylor’s needless run out the writing was on the wall. Andy Hume survived the tail end carnage for an unbeaten 21, but no-one could stay with him and a second consecutive unlucky LBW for Homy Masud brought proceedings to a close in only the 33rd over, with the score 135. Porritt's 4 for 14 was the best return for the visitors.
Lindow never had enough runs to trouble the league leaders and despite an early wicket for Andy Hume (1 for 50), opener Barber proved an immovable object. Masud (2 for 48) briefly raised hopes with 2 wickets to have the visitors 59 for 3, but Jones came in and attacked from the off, riding his luck as he quickly took the game away from Lindow. When Ben Squires (1 for 13) finally trapped Jones LBW, he had made 49 of a stand of 74 with Barber and Stockport were on the brink. Porritt came in to hit the winning boundary and Barber marched from the field with an excellent unbeaten 58 and 25 crucial points for the visitor's promotion push. It had taken the league leaders only 23 overs to knock the runs off.
After this desperate result, there can no longer be any illusions at Lindow that the club is not, once again, facing the prospect of relegation. The belief that “we’re too good to go down” needs to be demonstrated on the field in games won and points accrued, with no more excuses. With a clash of the bottom-feeders at Wistaston next week, at least there is an early opportunity for redemption.
