24 May 2009, Cheshire Cup, Lindow CC 1st XI vs. Elworth (h)
Rolled Over
Lindow 124 all out, Elworth 126 for 4
Lindow lost to Elworth by 6 wickets
Match reduced to 25 overs per side due to broken-down roller!
Lindow went out of the Cheshire Cup in bizarre circumstances as play was delayed until 3.30 due to the presence on the square of an immovable object in the form of the broken-down motor roller. Unfortunately, the Chairman’s Land Rover didn’t provide the necessary unstoppable force and all present were instead treated to an extended break in the hot sun while the problem was fixed.
When the game did begin, Lindow’s top order again failed to provide a platform. Jav Huq was frustratingly run out without facing a ball and Matty Law was well caught low at midwicket to leave the score 2 for 2. Ed Farmer (32) and Paul Slinn (13) steadied the ship, however, with a partnership of 49 in good time before Slinn was caught and bowled in the 11th over. Clarke and Taylor flattered to deceive and when Farmer eventually fell it was left to the mighty Henry Grover to bludgeon Lindow to respectability. He hit his first ball for 6 and struck 3 more maximums before being last out for 36 with the score 124.
For a brief time it appeared that Lindow might trouble Elworth. Grover bowled his five overs through and struck two early blows, backed up by Chris Wearne, who took two more to have the visitors 55 for 4. But, critically, opener Palin had put down roots and he controlled the chase very nicely, in partnership with the rather more fortunate Breen (33*), who could have been out on a couple of occasions. But Lindow’s bowlers simply weren’t able to control the scoring sufficiently, and Elworth in the end reached the target in some comfort, Palin having reached an impressive 65 not out.
So Lindow drop into the Cheshire Shield with their pride intact, having given Elworth a real test. In the end, though, the home side were twenty runs short of par, and as a result never quite got their visitors under the required pressure.
