After both Lindow teams achieving promotion last year it was always going to be a tough challenge in 2014. With the club spending significant funds on ground improvements such as new covers, a perimeter fence, extending the square by 3 tracks and a clubhouse refurb, everything was set for a good season ahead.
The 1sts welcomed Malpas to Upcast Lane, where skipper Walker won the toss and elected to bat on what appeared to be a good flat wicket. He was proved quickly wrong when the Malpas pace attack carved through the top order leaving the home side shaken at 20 for 5, including the wicket of young Australian Blayde Baker who is over for the season. Ben Hayes (47) took about rebuilding the innings, supported by Hassan Mahmood (24). The pair took an aggressive approach to their seam attack and moved Lindow to a more respectable total of 117 before the final wickets fell.
Naturally the Malpas openers came out confidently with only a low score to chase. They played attacking shots however Walker and Mahmood managed to restrict the runs both picking up a wicket each and the score being only 30 for 2 after 17overs. Changes to the bowling were made in an attempt to pick up additional wickets, however the Maplas batsmen looked confident and saw the victory home with 8 wickets to spare.
With a number of key players missing this week, Lindow will look to bounce back next week when they take the trip to Oakmere.
The 2nd team had a better day as they travelled to local side Lymm OP. Vice Skipper Rowan Day won the toss and elected to bat in an attempt to take the front foot early on. Things didn't start as the visitors had hoped with early wickets of Howarth, Peel, Day and Gedroge falling cheaply and leaving the score at 24 for 4. Hume (16) and Kendrick (30) started to rebuild the innings, supported by the aggressive shot playing Ahmed (30), pushing the score to 123 all out.
The total looked low and Lindow knew they would have to bowl well. Ahmed opened up and was simply superb bowling a spell of 15 overs, 4 for 16 with 8 maidens. He was supported by the other bowlers including youngster Tom Jones who at 13 years old made his full senior debut for Lindow. A run out by Rob Venables picked up the key wicket of Walmsley and the introduction of Hume (3 for 0 off 5.3) cleaned up the tail with a tight and accurate spell, bowling out Lymm for 75 and picking up maximum points.
A great start for the 2nds, however the 1st team have some improvements to be made before the weekend. The junior teams start their matches this coming weeks with 3 new teams introduced this season – a second Under 9s team, an under 10s and an under 15s.
Match report by David Kendrick.
