30 May 2009, Lindow CC 1st XI vs. Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge (a)
On the Rise
Lindow 179 all out, CH Ladybridge 135 all out
Lindow (25pts) beat CH Ladybridge (7) by 44 runs
A hard earned but, in the end, comprehensive win at Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge took Lindow to the top of the table on the back of an all round display to which everyone contributed.
The home side won the toss and, despite the sunshine, put Lindow in to bat. The wicket was slow and soft and the Ladybeidge bowlers made life hard for the top order, for whom timing proved difficult to master. The top order faltered once again despite a shake-up from the previous week, with Bracewell (0), Huq (12) and Foreman (4) all removed with the score at 37 in the 10th over. Matty Law played aggressively and looked Lindow’s best hope for a big score as he added 32 with Slinn (18). But Law fell to a questionable LBW decision and, when Slinn was out 12 runs later, the visitors were 81 for 5 in the 23rd over. But yet again Lindow’s middle order came to the rescue. Initially it was Mike Parr (21) who took the initiative with an aggressive counter-attack in partnership with Ed Farmer, the pair adding 42 in 8 overs as they took advantage of their continuing good form this season. However, when Parr aimed one swipe too many at off-spinner birch, Hume quickly followed for a duck to leave Lindow back in trouble at 128 for 7. But Farmer was going well now, and took full advantage of some loose bowling from returning opener Spreadborough to advance the score in partnership with skipper Grover. This pair added 33 in 7 overs before Farmer fell LBW to Ladybridge’s best bowler on the day, Gidley (5 for 54) for an authoritative 44. Grover (18) and Masud (9*) confidently claimed maximum batting points, but Gidley struck again to remove the Captain and Chris Wearne (2) in quick succession to end the innings at 179 with 3 overs unused.
The home sides pursuit started solidly, but Grover and Masud soon got into their groove and both threatened to take wickets and kept scoring opportunities down. The opening stand had reached 41 when Matty Law rapped lefty Birch (20) on the pad and won an LBW decision, precipitating a collapse as Kapoor (3) was run out, Burnett gave Chris Wearne (1 for 25) his first wicket of the season and Law (3 for 21) removed Moores (3) and Lomas (0) to leave the home side 69 for 5 after 26 overs. But with 48 overs available and opener Harris still there, playing a determined knock, a home win remained possible. Hyland provided a useful partner for 12 overs as the score ticked along to 120 with 10 overs still left. But just as Lindow started to get jumpy, Harris was trapped LBW by Jav Huq’s crafty leg spin for an excellent 72, and the home side folded as he also removed Gidley (0) and Grover had Hyland (16) caught behind without addition. Spreadborough hit Huq for a defiant 6 before he too was bamboozled out, and then Grover (2 for 29) ripped one through hapless no. 11 Birch to end the game in the 43rd over.
So, a very solid all round team display with bat, ball and in the field saw Lindow claim its third straight win on the back of a fifth straight game with more than 170 on the board.
