After being put into bat first by visitors Runcorn, home team Lindow 1st XI struggled as wickets fell with regularity. Only Luke Unsworth (24) and Scott Howarth (31) established any kind of partnership as Lindow were dismissed for an under par 129.
Knowing that early wickets were key, Lindow adopted an aggressive approach and were rewarded when Scott Howarth dismissed South African Phillips, stumped by Pat Christys. At 50-3 the game was in the balance but skipper Ben Tyler introduced himself to the attack, making an important breakthrough before mopping up the tail to end up with 5 wickets.
The win takes Lindow seven points clear at the top of the table and needing just one more maximum point win to secure promotion to the Cheshire County League for the first time in it's 135 year history!
Lindow 2nd XI faced a tough game away at Runcorn on Saturday, and emerged from encounter still very much in contention for promotion with just three games to play.
Runcorn were unrecognisable from the team beaten comprehensively at Upcast Lane earlier in the season, and were soon on the front foot, getting their innings off to a fast start with some aggressive hitting. To their credit, the Lindow bowlers tightened their line to keep Runcorn to 214-7 when it looked at one stage that a far bigger target would be set.
An excellent opening spell by Runcorn, full of pace and hostility meant that Lindow were facing an uphill battle from an early stage of their reply. Both openers were dismissed cheaply and although Ian Park (18) and Andy Hume (21) offered some resistance, it was apparent that the 215 needed for outright victory wouldn't be reached. However, with batting bonus points in mind, a positive approach was maintained and at 137-8 at the end of the innings, a draw was secured.
Next up is a crunch game with second place Heaton Mersey in a battle that will go a long way to deciding which of the teams secures promotion to the Cheshire County League.
Match report by Rowan Day.
