Cricket: Lindow make perfect start to the season

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Keen to erase the memories of a disappointing 2012, Lindow 1st XI travelled to Barnton with a side full of ambition and expectation.

Skipper Barratt won the toss and chose to bat on a sunny afternoon. Despite an early setback both debutants Mitchell (66) and Ramsden (32) put together a telling partnership to put the visitors in a strong position going into the last 15 overs. Despite the loss of 4 quick wickets in the latter overs both Bull (30 *) and Barratt (25) ensured Lindow finished with a competitive score of 186-6.

In reply Lindow struck early with blows from Walker (2-24) removing both openers for single figures. A few lusty blows by the middle order batsmen gave Lindow a few jitters but quick strikes from Tyler (2-51) and Barratt (3-32) left the hosts reeling at 80-7.

The ninth wicket counter attacking partnership of 80 gave the Lindow bowlers a lot to think about and at 160-7 it looked as if Barnton would run away with the game. However, Lindow's strike bowler Howarth (2-25) came back with an excellent spell of quick bowling and grabbed two vital wickets. Along with his wickets, his penultimate over went for just one run which left the hosts needing 8 to win with one wicket left. The task of bowling the final over was entrusted to Tyler who held his nerve brilliantly to concede only one run, leaving the visitors final score at 180-9.

The 2nd XI welcomed Barnton 2nd XI for the first game of the season at Upcast Lane. Having won the toss, the Barnton skipper had no hesitation in asking Lindow to bat first. A steady start from the Lindow openers saw the score get to 33 before R. Day edged behind for 9.

However, this was to be the only real breakthrough for the Barnton attack as J. Peel (82), A. Inglis (49 not out) and J. Bracewell (29) scored freely to accumulate a competitive total of 190 for 4.

In reply, the Lindow bowlers quickly got on top, reducing Barnton to 8 for 2 off 6 over's. A useful 3rd wicket partnership between K. Dhopate and A. Malley was proving dangerous to Lindow and was only broken when a superb piece of fielding by K. Ahmed caused A. Malley to be run out for 15.

It was not long before K. Dhopate was also back in the hutch after being brilliantly bowled by A. Barratt. This then caused a Barnton collapse with H. Mahmood clean bowling 4 Barnton batsmen to finish with 5 for 28 and the final nail in the coffin was delivered by young T. Wilkinson who bowled G. Coull for 6 to conclude the Barnton innings at 76 all out.

A maximum 25 points for Lindow and a perfect start to the season. Next week the 2nd XI travel to Prestbury hoping to continue this fine start to the season.

Lindow would like to encourage anyone in the local community, no matter what standard, to come down and join in a session from age 6 up to adult. Details of training sessions are on the Lindow Cricket Club website.

Match report by David Kendrick.

Tags:
Cricket, Lindow Cricket Club
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