In perfect playing conditions the Lindow first eleven took on Barrow at home. Having won the toss, captain Ben Tyler elected to bat on what appeared to be a good batting surface.
The innings started poorly with the early dismissal of young gun Ryan O'Brien (2) which left the home side 1/3. This brought Richard Robinson (91) and Jake Martin (90) together at the crease. The pair put on a 158 run partnership before Richard Robinson was ran out for 91.
Throughout the rest of the innings regular wickets fell and the side began to lose its momentum until Jonny Barrat (16) and Scott Howarth (14) found the boundary late in the innings to take the total to 7/247.
The opening bowling partnership of Scott Howarth and Sam Walker saw the Barrow opening batsman on the back foot early. Walker picked up 2 wickets and Howarth bowled with good pace and venom.
However the Barrow batsman began to create partnerships until Alex Bosshardt came on to bowl. He produced the figures of 9.1 overs 6/29, including the key wicket of Iroshan De Silva (53). His subtle variations of flight and pace proved to be a match winning performance, with the final wicket falling with only 11 balls to spare.
The win for the team was full of grit and determination and now leaves the them with 2 wins and 1 loss after 3 rounds.
Lindow 2nd XI secured their first win in the Cheshire County League in spectacular fashion on Saturday, when they travelled to Bredbury St.Marks.
On a green pitch Lindow were put into bat by the hosts and from the first over opening batsman Dan Braddock looked in imperious form. A range of spectacular drives and pulls ensured the innings got off to a flying start despite the early run out of Jamie Peel.
Joined by Ian Park, in at No.3, the two batsmen very quickly took the game away from Bredbury, notching personal milestones in the process. Braddock scored his maiden century, eventually falling for a superb 104, whilst Park ended the innings not out on 137 - a truly majestic innings. Lindow declared on 314 for 2.
A hostile opening bowling spell from James Panek (4-17) and Khalid Ahmed (6-19) turned the screw, the only worry for the visitors being looming dark clouds. Young debutant Jamie Hiam bowled five tight overs and he was unlucky not to claim his first victim in senior cricket, but the returning Ahmed claimed two wickets in two balls to wrap up an astonishing win by 249 runs.
Match report by Rowan Day.
Lindow's U12 win tournament
What a fantastic team performance by six lads who produced some excellent cricket admired by other team supporters, and were a credit to the club. They remained focused throughout, supporting each other and providing a day for the parents to be proud of.
They batted and fielded well throughout, Henry James and Will Murray carried their bat through the opening two matches, Leo Crossan producing some timely shots when needed.
The bowlers performed admirably with all five bowlers, including Scott Jones and Tom Orr, contributing and pinning the opposition down relentlessly. The fielding was sharp and well-orchestrated by the team collectively but the moment of the day has to go to James Holah's catch in the final.
Under pressure from not only the Alderley players but parents as well, James got under a skier on the boundary looking directly into the glaring sun in front of the Alderley camp of parents. If it hadn't been such a warm day, the ball would have come down with snow on it but James slid in to take a truly remarkable catch. This gave the boys the extra belief needed to get over the line in a well contested final.
Match report by Simon Catheray.
Photo: U12 team.
