Romiley won the toss and elected to bat, which looked to be a good decision on a good wicket. They were 54-0 before Jahangir Mushtaq broke the dead lock getting 2 wickets in his first over! Lindow kept picking up wickets along the way with Ben Tyler taking 4-68, but the runs kept flowing at a good rate leaving Romiley in a handy position of 245-9 at tea.
Ryan O'Brien (54) and Osman Butt (87) gave Lindow the perfect chance to chase down the total putting on 148 for the first wicket. Lindow needed 7 an over from the last 20 overs, but losing regular wickets meant Jahangir Mushtaq (29 not out) had to see the team home for a credible draw on 210-8.
Lindow's 2nd XI were a little unlucky in their match at home against Stockport Georgians on Saturday, with the visitors bowling attack being tailor-made for the conditions.
Bowling first, Lindow kept a tight hold on the run rate, restricting the visitors to 198-8 from their 50 overs. The pick of the bowlers was Rowan Day who took 4-37 but the highlight of the innings was a superb, one-handed catch by Khalid Ahmed, sprinting across from mid-on and extending a claw-like left hand to grab the ball out of the air in remarkable fashion. In terms of quality, the catch is unlikely to be surpassed through the remainder of the season!
Chasing their target Stockport's four spinners proved to be a challenge to the Lindow batsmen on a dusty wicket that provided plenty of turn and bounce. Finishing at 147-7, Lindow fell short, but mature innings from Rob Venables (17), Ian Park (26), Dan Braddock (24) and Pete Hodge (27 not out) ensured that the match ended in an honourable draw.
It was a similar story for Lindow 3s on Sunday, with the team falling frustratingly short of outright victory by just one wicket.
Batting first Lindow got off to a bright start with U15 star Max Espley (29) and wily veteran Pete Venables (25) getting the game off to a great start with an impressive 50 run opening partnership. When Venables unluckily fell, more wickets followed but Lindow's middle order dug deep and Homy Masud (35) ensured that a competitive target of 180 was reached. Sale's u13 Isaac Brooks had an afternoon to remember, bagging a hat trick on the way to figures of 6-35.
In reply, Sale started slowly but didn't lose any wickets. Tom Rae and all-rounder Homy Masud bowled exceptionally tightly, beating the bat with frequency, but wickets remained elusive. On the verge of drinks, Masud took a deserved wicket to set Lindow on their way.
Drinks were followed by a superb spell of leg spin bowling by Ben Gedrodge who put in a match turning spell. Three wickets in one over had Sale in a spin and with the run rate becoming impossible, the visitors dug in for a draw. The impressive Isaac Brooks dug in and saved the game for the Visitors who finished on 104-9, Lindow just one agonizing wicket away from victory.
Both captains and teams thoroughly enjoyed the game, played in a tremendous spirit. The game of Cricket was very much the winner!
Photo: Osman Butt put 87 on the scoreboard.
Match report by Angela Yore.
