Cricket: Lindow secure their first win

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Lindow hosted their relegation rivals Oakmere with both teams eager to take the victory that would take them out of the danger zone.

With the sun shining, Lindow's skipper Walker won the toss and elected to bat but Oakmere came out fired up and took Lindow's top three in as many overs. Four and five were soon to follow their team mates, finding themselves sent back to the changing room with little to show for their efforts and leaving Lindow punch drunk at 30-5.

Tyler (74*) took back the initiative and fort through some accurate bowling from Oakmere, partnered with Barratt (20) and then Taylor (20) saw Lindows recovery begin. Tyler continued his good form and began to play the ball all around the park, taking Lindow to more respectable and potentially defendable total of 155.

Lindow entered the field knowing that nothing short of a monumental performance was required and began with every intention of producing one. Haworth found the first breakthrough taking the edge of their opener that was taken comfortably at 1st slip by Baker. Walker found the next 2 wickets in short succession before Oakmere began to dig in.

Their middle order worked the Lindow spinners well, gradually pulling the game back in their favour at 90 for 3. Some sharp work from wicket keeper Christys broke the partnership with a stumping followed by some tight bowling from Tyler that saw Oakmere reduced to 100-6 when the rain came. The wet weather cost the game 6 overs, reducing the likelihood of either side taking maximum points from the fixture. But Tyler and Haworth did everything they could to keep the wickets falling and shortly after returning to the field Tyler got his man. Haworth's high speed attack began to find its mark and quickly sent their tail end tumbling to the first Lindow victory of the season ending at 109 all out. A much needed win that puts Lindow out of the relegation zone.

This weekend saw Lindow 2nd XI travel to Oakmere, looking to continue their impressive first season in Division A. After winning the toss, Oakmere's captain had no hesitation in deciding to bat on what looked like a flat wicket with blue skies above. Lindow's opening bowlers started brightly, managing to extract some movement from the new ball but could not make an early breakthrough. Unfortunately, Lindow's opening bowler B. Rose suffered an injury which prevented him from bowling more than his initial two overs and this allowed the Oakmere batsmen to settle and move to 26 without loss. K. Ahmed worked the first opening for Lindow, following up a ball which connected with the batsman's chest with a yorker which bowled the Oakmere opener.

Whilst wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, the runs also kept moving along and Oakmere managed to get to 105 for 5 off 30 overs. The final 15 overs also did not produce a clear favourite with the Lindow bowlers managing to keep the runs in check but not take to many extra wickets, Oakmere finally closing on 187 for 7 with J. Stubbs the pick of the Lindow bowlers with 4 for 53 off 15 overs.

During tea the clouds rolled in with rain threatening and the increased cloud cover seemed to find the Lindow opening batsmen on a completely different wicket, with the ball suddenly swinging around corners. The Oakmere bowlers made full use of the change in weather, bowling some superb lines to dismantle the Lindow innings reducing them to 20 for 4 off 12 overs. Although R. Day (20) and J. Venables (19) dug in they were both removed following the drinks break and the tail briefly wagged before also succumbing leaving Lindow 75 all out.

Next week Lindow are back at home where they entertain Chester County Officers.

Match report by David Kendrick.

Tags:
Cricket, Lindow Cricket Club
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