Lindow's 1st and 2nd XIs experienced mixed fortunes on Saturday, the 1s losing away at Brooklands whilst the 2s secured a facile victory at home to Weaverham.
The 1s put their hosts into bat and kept things tight in the field, looking to exert pressure by restricting the run rate. They largely succeeded and when the Brooklands innings closed at 184 for 8, hopes were high of a successful run chase. Spinner Graham Clinton proved to be the pick of the bowlers with 3-41.
Sadly Lindow's reply never really gathered momentum. Opener Jake Martin looked in good touch before falling to a good delivery for 20, and Ryan O'Brien occupied the crease in a gritty display for 16, but a flurry of wickets removed the middle order and it was left to seasonal debutante in the 1s, David Kendrick to show some resistance with a punchy 29. Lindow were dismissed 91 runs short of their target.
Back at Upcast Lane Lindow 2s hardly knew they had been in a game as they removed their visitors within an hour for just 44 runs. A combination of fast, hostile opening bowling from the in-form Khalid Ahmed (6-23) and Ben Rose (4-15), plus an exemplary display of slip and close catching proved too much for the batsmen to deal with.
In reply, James Wild scored an unbeaten 33 as the runs were knocked off within nine overs for the loss of just one wicket.
On Sunday a very young and inexperienced Lindow 3s, with no fewer than six players aged between 12 and 15, travelled to Wistaston, putting up a brave performance against a side vastly more experienced. Batting first, they made a total of 102, 13 year old Max Espley starring with a well-constructed 27. It was notable too for the calm assurance shown at the crease by several of the youngsters including Tom Rae and Henry James who chipped in with runs to push the score beyond 100.
The bowling was soon put under pressure by big-hitting opening batsmen but Robbie Lees secured a wicket and debutant Joe Day bowled three very tidy overs of leg spin that made the batsmen play with respect. A nine wicket loss, but tremendous experience for Lindow's promising youngsters.
Match report by Rowan Day.
