The game at Upcast Lane on Saturday was a near top of the table clash as second placed Lindow hosted third place Stockport. Lindow won the toss and decided to bowl on what was a very good wicket which the visitors took full advantage of being 40-0 of 10 overs.
The deadlock was broken when Luke Unsworth took a great catch in the deep to dismiss Stockport's danger man Jatoi (30) off the bowling of Tim Young (1-32). The game was evening poised at drinks with the visitors having a good base at 80-2. Lindow's bowling and fielding stayed positive throughout the next 25 overs restricting Stockport to 161-9 from 50 overs after tight bowling from Tyler (3-54) and O'Brien (3-39).
Lindow got off to a great start being 40-0 from the first ten overs before Jamie Peel was out sweeping for 25. That brought Tom Parfett (54) to the crease who played excellently and got the hosts within 15 runs of victory, before Charlie Williams and Alex Mathews saw the home side to the win.
On Sunday, the 1st XI traveled to Cheadle Hulme in the Cheshire Shield where they were asked to bat first. A brilliant century from Liam Castellas (111), ably supported by Charlie Williams (36) and Ian Park (35 not out), saw Lindow to 208-3 off their 45 overs.
In reply the hosts lost two early wickets after smart bowling from Tim Young and an exceptional catch from Adam Bull off the bowling of Alex Matthews. Some strong batting from Strydom (51) and Robinson (73) got Cheadle Hulme close but they were eventually bowled out for 198. Lindow progress to the Quarter Finals.
Lindow 2nd XI travelled to top of the table Sale and put in a dominating performance but sadly fell short of the outright win.
On a pitch that gave batsmen full value for their shots, opening batsmen Daniel Braddock (85) and Matt Ramsden (98) gave a batting masterclass as they accumulated runs at a rapid rate. When Braddock was dismissed after some scintillating stroke play, Ian Park came to the crease and continued where Braddock had left off, hitting some mighty blows in his 67. The only regret to the innings was Ramsden being cruelly run out just two short of a fully merited century.
Refusing to be cowed by his misfortune, Ramsden turned his attention to tormenting the opposition batsmen with his leg spin, picking up five wickets in 11 beguiling overs. Unfortunately however, it wasn't quite enough to secure outright victory as Sale finished on 130-8. It was a superb team performance however, which lays down a marker for the rest of the season.
Lindow's 3rd Xi played their first away match of he season on Sunday at Stockport Trinity.
Winning the toss and batting first, Lindow were soon regretting their decision as they lost three early wickets. However some solid partnerships stopped the rot and despite further wickets falling, runs were mounting up with Scott Kellard and Henry James making useful contributions. It was Skipper Pete Hodge who led from the front however, scoring a superb 97 not out and seeing the innings end at a highly respectable 174-8.
In reply Trinity lost an early wicket to Paul Wilson's accurate seam bowling but after that wickets were hard to come by. Rowan Day came on to make the vital break through and took two quick wickets. With excellent fielding through the team the run rate climbed and Trinity were soon five down, with Ben Gedrodge and Simon Rowland testing the batsmen. Young Henry James came on to bowl and made a vital breakthrough, ending a stubborn and long Trinity sixth wicket partnership. From that moment Rowan Day returned to the attack to wrap up the game, finishing with figures of 6-10. With their never-say-die attitude, it's shaping up to be a tremendous season for Lindow 3s.
Photo: Liam Castellas - who scored a hundred in the first team match.
Match report by Angela Yore.
