Promotion chasing Cholmondley were visitors to Upcast Lane on Saturday on an overcast and damp afternoon. Skipper, Walker, lost the toss and the home side were put into bat.
Openers Hoyle (35) and Hume (24) were met by one of the fastest West Indian bowlers to have visited Lindow in a number of years. After surviving some initial blows, the opening pair managed to get the home side off to a good start. After a flutter of wickets, Bull came to the crease and contributed an important 54 to move the score on, before being caught behind off the quick bowling of Fabian (5 for 68). Howarth managed to hit a few late runs for the home side to finish on a total of 205.
In reply Cholmondley openers weren't quite prepared for Howarth's spell of raw pace and bounce. From the first ball he caused immediate problems removing the opener with the 3rd ball of the innings. His first spell was crucial and gave the home side the advantage restricting the visitors to 60 for 5 off 18 overs. Cholmondley rallied and the middle order stand of over 100 put pressure back on the home side, unable to pick up the important breakthrough. Skipper Walker, turned to Howarth yet again who picked up where he left off with another spell of vicious fast bowling, clearing up the tail with 10 runs to spare. Tyler supported at the other end, picking up a couple of wickets himself.
This maximum point win puts Lindow 8 points behind leaders Mere, who are the opposition next week. This will be an exciting table topping game for sure.
The unbeaten 2nd team travelled to Over Peover, looking to continue the exceptional start to the season. Stand in skipper, Kendrick, lost the toss and Peover elected to bat. The Peover openers started aggressively and quickly put 50 on the board, until Ahmed removed the middle stump with a yorker. The introduction of swing bowler Peel changed the innings, as he picked up his first 5 wicket haul of the season. Supported at the other end by Rowan Day and Hassan Mahmood. Mahmood picked up the final two wickets of the innings leaving a total of 139 for the visitors to chase down.
The second innings didn't start well with Lindow losing 3 early wickets and finding themselves 3 wickets down after 7 overs. Debutant, Patrick Christys took to the crease and started to find his form, hitting an impressive 38 before being stumped off the Peover spin bowler. With 50 required off the last 15 overs, Mike Parr went out to bat with Day and between them they saw off the Peover attack, with Parr finishing on 38 not out and Lindow maintaining their unbeaten run top off the league.
Both teams face title challengers Mere which will prove a tough test.
Match report by David Kendrick.
