Lindow 1st XI made the longest trip of the season to Malpas CC, hoping to start the second half of the season with their first victory.
Having lost the toss and been asked to bat, victory seemed unthinkable at 14-3. However, a well grafted partnership of 54 between Adam Bull and Joe Booth gave Lindow a platform to build on. After Booth fell for 43, it was left to Ben Tyler to intelligently control proceedings. His 66, well supported by Mike Parr (28) and Hassan Mahmood (18), was an excellent innings and allowed Lindow to post 191 all out.
Lindow's bowling was uncharacteristically inconsistent and Malpas raced to 50 without trouble. Scott Howarth and Jonny Barratt picked up quick wickets to leave the hosts 59-2, also giving the visitors hope of that elusive first win. Unfortunately for Lindow, excellent batting from M.Nissanka (80 not out) and a failure to hold on to catches meant Malpas got home for a five wicket win, despite a good spell of bowling from Mahmood (2-22). A good effort from Lindow which should give them confidence for the relegation battles ahead, starting with Oakmere at home on Saturday.
Lindow 2nd XI continued their season against Lymm Oughtrington Park this week at Upcast Lane. On losing the toss Lindow were asked to field first but made an immediate impact with A. Taylor bowling the Lymm opener on the third ball of the game. Despite the early loss Lymm were intent on attacking the Lindow bowlers, scoring some early boundaries but A. Taylor soon struck again taking his second and third wicket in successive balls with his fourth not long afterwards leaving the Lymm innings in tatters at 26 for 4 after 8 overs.
A.Taylor's inspired spell of bowling continued with Lymm having no answer for him including a spectacular caught and bowled, taking the first 8 of Lymm's wickets and finishing with figures of 8 for 21. With Taylor bowled out, Lymm went back on the attack and a late flourish saw them reach 88 before the final wicket fell with the total on 88.
Although Lindow lost opener M. Hoyle for 0 there were not to be any other scares and J. Peel (36 not out) and I. Park (41 not out) quickly saw Lindow safely home for the maximum 25 points, reaching the required total after 19 overs.
Next week sees the team travel to Oakmere looking to complete the double after beating them earlier in the season.
Match report by David Kendrick.
