Lindow 2nds managed to finally secure the league title this weekend after years of trying, taking the club into the Cheshire A Division for the first time, with the 1st team securing a return to Division 1 with one game to go.
The first team welcomed league leaders Mere to Upcast Lane to fight for the title. Skipper Walker won the toss and elected to bat. Peel and Christys put on a strong opening stand of 70, before the first wicket fell bringing Dan Braddock to the crease who looked to push the run rate on. Braddock (23) and Bull (24) batted well against some tight and accurate bowling from the visitors. Lindow ended the first innings on 164 which was a below par score on a flat wicket.
Mere started the second inning strongly, making use of the pace and bounce on offer. Left arm spinner Bosshardt made the eventual breakthrough with the opening pair putting on a stand of 112. Tyler managed to pick up a couple of wickets, taking his season tally to a superb 50 wickets, before Mere completed the inevitable run chase. A loss on the day secured 10 points for Lindow and promotion back to the 1st Division with one game left to play.
The unbeaten 2nd team travelled to Mere, looking to tie up the league title after securing promotion last week. The home side won the toss and elected to bat. Mahmood and Ahmed bowled a tight opening spell, but the pick of the bowlers was retuning fast bowler Henry Grover, who bowled with pace and aggression, ripping through the Mere middle order. McBride and Kendrick also chipped in picking up wickets. The home side finished their 45 over's on 202 all out.
Lindow never really got going in the second innings losing early wickets against a tight Mere bowing attack. Rowan Day was the only player who really managed to get to grip with the accurate Mere bowling scoring 34, however the run chase never looked on and the visitors finished on 105 for 8 off the 45 over's, ensuring the unbeaten run continued and was also enough to secure the league trophy. This was a huge achievement for Lindow 2s who haven't been in the top flight league before.
Both teams can enjoy the final games of the season knowing the double promotion has been achieved.
Photo: The unbeaten 2nd team.
Match report by David Kendrick.
