Lindow welcomed Langley to a cold and damp Upcast Lane for their second home game of the season. The visitors won the toss and surprisingly chose to bowl.
Hoyle's aggressive approach got Lindow off to the perfect start as he blasted the opening bowlers off their line and length. He fell just one short of his 50 with only 13 overs having been bowled. The aggressive approach of Hoyle let Ramsden (37) quietly go about making yet another useful contribution. Despite the good start the Langley bowlers soon found their mark and struck with a few quick blows to leave the hosts at 120-5.
Barratt and Taylor came together with the visitors on top but quickly went about wrestling back the advantage for the home side. Barratt fell for a well-made 43 and Taylor 30 in what proved to be a telling partnership. A few lusty late order blows by the Lindow tail left the hosts with a very respectable 220-8.
In reply Howarth struck with the second ball of the game with a brilliant yorker. His initial spell gave nothing away and Langley's top order had no answers to his impeccable length, leaving them at 10 for 3 off 12 overs. Despite the great start Langley's number 4 and 5 produced a good counter attacking partnership and the game seemed to be slipping away from Lindow.
At 130-3 and both batsmen looking set it took a second spell from Howarth (5-40) to really swing the momentum back in favour of Lindow. With both set batsmen falling within the space of two overs Lindow grabbed a hold of the game and took the possibility of defeat out of the equation.
With the game seemingly meandering to a draw spinner Barratt returned to the attack after what had been a difficult day with the ball so far. He managed to skittle through the tail with 4 wickets falling within the last 3 overs, and the final wicket falling with only one ball of the game left. The wicket brought an end to a thrilling game of cricket with Langley finishing on 165 all out.
The 2nd team didn't get a game as the weather got the better of the Trafford pitch.
Match report by David Kendrick.
Photo: Batsman Adam Bull.
