A confident Lindow first team travelled to Lymm OP with eyes firmly set on another maximum point win.
Lindow were put into bat with Hoyle and Ramsden (37) looking to post another string opening partnership. Hoyle was first to fall for 18, bringing Australian Mitchell to the crease.
In wet conditions, far from those he is used to on the other side of the world, Mitchell worked hard and pushed the score along picking up a quickfire 31. The rain interrupted play and wickets started to fall. Captain Barratt managed to pick up 34 runs with the rest of the side chipping in, leaving the visitors with a total of 148 to defend with 36 over's of play left in the day.
Lymm started promisingly and the home side looked to be cruising to victory with 45 runs on the board for no wickets after 10. The game then changed with the introduction of Ben Tyler (3 for 62) and Sam Walker (4 for 32). The pair worked tirelessly to break down the Lymm batting, but were not able to complete the victory, with the home side finishing on 121 for 7 off the allotted overs.
A frustrating day for the first team with mixed weather conditions, however they still remain top of Mellor Braggins division 2.
Lindow 2nd XI have the better of a draw against league leaders in a tough game at Upcast lane. After the frustration of the previous week where Lindow's game against Trafford MV was cancelled, Lindow were looking to get back to winning ways and welcomed the early league leaders, Mobberley, to Upcast lane.
Having won the toss for the first time this season and with the weather forecast suggesting there could be rain, skipper Inglis chose to have a bat. Openers J. Peel and D. Braddock negotiated the early overs but then Lindow lost both in quick succession with Peel edging behind for 7 and Braddock bowled for 23. With the score at 34 for 2, Lindow needed to re-build which is exactly what they did with A. Hume and R. Day providing a very useful 3rd wicket partnership of 66 before Day was finally removed for 17. This was as good as it got for Mobberley as D. Kendrick and A. Hume put the bowlers to the sword on their way to an unbeaten 4th wicket partnership of 139, Hume eventually finishing with a tremendous 118 not out and Kendrick with 66 not out, and Lindow could afford to declare the innings after 44 overs on 239 for 3.
In reply, Lindow got off to a perfect start when birthday boy D. McBride removed opener A. Darr (Jnr) for 5 but Mobberley began to show why they are top of the table when their second wicket partnership moved past 60 off only 15 overs. Lindow were looking a little ragged in the field at this point and were in danger of letting things get away from them but when needing something special it was left to A. Hume to once again come up with the goods by removing A. Darr(Snr) for 62. The breakthrough caused a flurry of wickets to follow and it was not long before Mobberley were reduced 120 for 5 with only 10 overs left. This effectively ended the contest at this point as Mobberley began to not chase the runs and just settle for the draw eventually finishing on 183 for 6.
A useful 15 points v 9 points in Lindow's favour and although early in the season, from the evidence of games played so far, it would not be a surprise if it is these two teams who are battling it out for the top at the end. Next week, Lindow travel to Kingsley.
Match report by David Kendrick.
Photo: 1st team batsman Matthew Hoyle.
