Lindow's 1st XI were looking to continue their recent run of home victories when they visited mid-table side Stockport Georgians. On a firm but grass covered wicket the home side won the toss and elected to bowl, forcing Lindow's understrength batting line up to set the total for the day.
Peel (20) and Baker (19) started the innings positively but the discipline of the Georgians seam bowlers restricted the visitors to just 35 off the first 15 overs. Although the runs were proving hard to come by Lindow's openers appeared settled until the home side opted for a change of bowler. Dodd (33-4) had an instant impact, removing both openers and the number 3 in almost as many deliveries. Shortly after Dodd found the glove of Tyler (4) that highlighted an exceptional spell of seam bowling from the Georgians skipper.
Taylor (19) and Haworth (9) began the Lindow resistance, seeing off the seam attack and taking advantage of some loose deliveries from the spinners. However, the ill-discipline didn't last long and accompanied by a crumbling wicket both spinners began to find some purchase and a wicket each. Bracewell (31) and Walker (7) managed to take the visitors into the points zone before a straight one trapped Walker LBW to bring young Rose (5) to the crease. Bracewell took on the spinners, finding the boundary rope on several occasions before the Georgians decided to turn to their seam attack to finish the innings.
Rose showed some fight, hitting Grace (40-1) back over his head for 4, but shortly after found himself stranded down the wicket and run out. The rest of the Lindow's tail end contributed little, leaving the visitors on an under par score of 135 for 9.
With optimism and determination emitting from the Lindow bowlers, the Georgians entered the creases tentatively. Howarth (34-2) made short work of them both sending them back to the pavilion with next to nothing to show for themselves. Grover (24-2) was having a similar effect at the other end, taking out the home team's number 3 and 4 for as many runs. Gaskarth (16) and Hemlin (17) began to dig in for the Georgians but some impressive spin from Bosshardt (20-1) and Ramsden (8-1) removed the middle order and allowed Tyler (23-2) to eat into the tail.
All the while the scoreboard had been slowly creeping up and with so few runs on the board the home side were within striking distance. Griffiths (10) and Hussain (34) made the final push to see them over the line with 2 wickets in hand. A disappointing loss for Lindow but a promising display for their bowling attack that will give them confidence ahead of next week's game where they host to title contenders Bollington CC.
The 2nd XI welcomed Stockport to Upcast lane and after losing the toss Skipper Inglis opened up the batting with Dan Braddock (48). Inglis was bowled in the 3rd over bringing Kendrick to the crease earlier than expected. The two Lindow players worked hard to stabilise the innings and built a partnership of 100 in a timely manner.
Braddock was unluckily run out for 48 and then Kendrick soon followed on 58, with the score 125 for 3. Wickets fell in the final few overs with McBride and James Venables both adding to the total, leaving the home side a total of 191 to defend.
Stockport took to the Lindow bowlers early on and even though Ahmed picked up two wickets in quick succession, the outfield was getting quicker as the afternoon progressed. Skipper Inglis varied the bowling attack which gave the home side a glimmer of hope, however the run rate remained steady. A run out by McBride and a great catch from Inglis with the score on 140 for 8 certainly favoured Lindow, however they were unable to get the final two wickets required and Stockport chased down the score with 1 over remaining. A good effort from the Lindow 2s, however probably 20 runs short on a warm sunny day in Wilmslow.
Match report by David Kendrick.
