First XI 2008

20th September - vs Wroxeter (Away)  

Paul Bainbridge hit a blistering, unbeaten 74 to give Lilleshall their first win in 13 games as they signed off for the season in division 1 of the fbc Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League with a five wicket success at Wroxeter.

Stand-in skipper Steve Bate won the toss and decided that his much weakened side should bowl first.  He led from the front with 1-13 in a frugal seven over opening spell while Greg Munslow got amongst the wickets to keep a tight grip on affairs.  Rob Bagshaw, a late call-up from third team duty, also played his part with 2-36 from 10 overs in two spells while Chris Hadley rolled back the years with 1-18 in a five over effort.

Munslow made sure Lilleshall would not have a mountain to climb with 4-29 from his six overs split over two spells as Wroxeter ended their 45 overs on 173-9.

Lilleshall suffered an early blow when losing Dave Marshall but young Chris Airey (24) and Jimmy Lewis (27) added 45 for the second wicket.  With 20 overs left it was 60-3 but then Bainbridge took the game by the scruff of the neck.

His first two scoring shots were sixes to set the pattern for his innings. At 110-5 he was joined by Kelvin Price and they steered the side home in a stand of 67 in just five overs and five balls.  Bainbridge stroked the ball to all parts of the ground and finally finished with six sixes and six fours in his ubeaten 74 while at the other end Price was not out with 18.

The win made sure Lilleshall would finish the season in the top of the table.

13th September - vs Trysull & Seisdon (Home)  

Lilleshall are staggering towards the finishing line in division 1 of the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League.

The midsummer leadership of the division is now a distant memory for a team that has been shorn of their bowling strength and are now sliding into the bottom half of the table.  Their latest setback was a heavy losing draw to relegation worried Trysull and Seisdon at Lilleshall.

In a game restricted to 35 overs a side after a delayed start because of the sodden state of the ground, Lilleshall were pounded for 235-5 with the bowling moderate and the fielding even worse.  Steve Bate (2-56) was the most successful of the bowlers, despite having five catches spilled, while there was a wicket each for Chris Airey and Andy Bate to go with a run out. 

The lack of experienced pace in the Lilleshall ranks was exposed when the quicker Trysull attack reduced Lilleshall to 39-5 before Nick Clewley (25) and Greg Munslow (27) offered some resistance but, at the end, it was youngsters Airey and Alex Russell who batted out for a draw at a disappointing 94-7 to leave the visitors celebrating safety.

Lilleshall wrap up their season at Wroxeter with both sides having nothing to play for except who can finish in the top half of the table.

30th August - vs Pontesbury (Home) 

Lilleshall firsts got back to a semblance of their early season form with a winning draw against Pontesbury in division 1.

In an end of season mid-table clash, the match featured a number of young bowlers with Lilleshall’s Adam Copsey proving the pick of a promising bunch.  Lilleshall lost the toss for a seventh successive game and had to bat first in a contest over 40 overs a side.

Skipper Nick Clewley was again in top form but lost two early partners. Under-16 player Chris Airey promoted up the order stood firm for 13 until he was out with the score on 57 after a third wicket partnership of 33.  Clewley ‘s new partner Paul Bainbridge quickly settled in with a four and two sixes in his first five scoring shots.

At the other end Clewley who had opened the innings by hitting the first two balls to the boundary was again easing his way to another half century when, in a surprise to all, he drilled a half volley into cover’s hands. He had made 47 with eight fours to make it 335 runs in his five innings since returning from a broken finger.

Bainbridge continued on his merry way for his second successive half century and it was a bonus for Pontesbury when he holed out on the long off boundary for 57 with seven fours and three sixes.  Lilleshall then slid to 138-7 before Phil Lewis, back in the first XI after a two year injury spell, and Kelvin Price put together an unbeaten stand of 58 to close the innings on 196.  Lewis made 33 with six fours to announce his return and he was backed up by Price with 20 not out.

Pontesbury made a breezy start to their innings until Copsey made the early breakthrough.  The visitors made a good fist of their reply although the asking rate after 10 overs never fell below seven an over, until the introduction of occasional bowler Greg Munslow stopped them in their tracks. He finished with 3-24 in six overs while, at the other end, under-17 Copsey bowling with good pace, finished with 4-30 after two good six over spells.

At the end Pontesbury were hanging on at 156-8.

Lilleshall travel to Allscott next.

23rd August - vs Frankton (Away) 

Lilleshall have slid further down division 1 of the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire League when falling foul of Frankton’s Sri Lankan import N de Silva.Skipper Nick Clewley may be in prime batting form for Lilleshall but he is on a losing streak when calling either heads or tails.  For the sixth successive time Lilleshall lost the toss and had to bat first in a game reduced to 40 overs because of the uncertain weather.Clewley gave his side a solid start when he made 31 despite losing early wickets. At 54-4 Lilleshall were struggling but Simon Millington with 23 and then Paul Bainbridge with 50 gave the innings a more respectable look.  Bainbridge hit six fours and two sixes in his stylish knock but his departure left the tail to scrape together a few more runs, the innings closing on 174-9.Steve Bate claimed an early wicket and came close to removing de Silva but the overseas star slowly took charge and led Frankton to a seven wicket success.  There was also a wicket each for Millington and under-16 bowler Alex Russell.Lilleshall are at home to Pontesbury next match.16th August - vs Acton Reynald (Home) Lilleshall skipper Nick Clewley chalked up a notable personal first when scoring his first ever century in his side’s rain hit fixture with Acton Reynald in division 1 of the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket .Clewley made his mark in Midlands cricketing circles as an opening bowler – in 2004 he was top wicket taker in the Birmingham League premer division and was name Midland Club Cricket Conference player-of-the-year.  But now, in his first year as Lilleshall skipper, he has turned his attention to batting and it’s paying off in style with Clewley in prime form scoring 257 runs in his last three innings since returning from suffering a broken finger.

With his two regular openers delayed, Clewley stepped up to open the innings and he immediately took control. He lost Steve Bate early but with Simon Bushell added 106 for the second wicket.  Bushell was content to support his captain but still cracked eight fours in his 46 before he was dismissed.  Clewley’s other delayed opener Dave Marshall, also in great form this season, then arrived at the crease and made up for lost time with a breezy 29 that included a couple of sixes and three fours before he was third out with the score on 170.  Clewley stood firm, however, reaching his 50 with seven fours and a six and his three figures came up with six more fours and a six.  His boundary laden innings continued until he was finally dismissed going for another big hit when he had made 137 and the score was on 219.

Greg Munslow (13) and Jimmy Lewis (10) then ensured that the runs continued to flow as Lilleshall finished on 247-7 off 45 overs.   Steve Pedley then just had time to take a wicket before the rain washed out any more play with the visitors on 10-1.

2nd August - vs Alberbury (Away) 

Lilleshall’s slide down division 1 of the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League has continued with another defeat.

They went down by five wickets at Alberbury but at least skipper Nick Clewley could take some positives from their latest setback.  Lilleshall again went into the match with several regulars missing and then had to bat first after losing the toss.  The early part of the innings was disappointing with four wickets going for just 42.  An exception to the early wobbles was Clewley who stood firm as wickets fell around him. He made his second successive half century since returning from a broken finger and it was a blow when he was sixth out for 68 with the score on 104.  He hit nine fours and a six before holing out on the boundary going for another maximum.

Andy Bate showed signs of finding some batting form with four fours in his 26 while veteran Peter Maltby, promoted from the third team, hit a boundary off the last ball of the innings to give his side a third batting point.  Lilleshall made 153-8 off their 45 overs.

With four of the regular first team bowling attack missing, under 16’s Chris Airey and Alex Russell were entrusted with the new ball and didn’t let the side down with a wicket each in their opening spells.  Alberbury’s well regarded openers were both back in the pavilion with only 28 on the board, both finding the edge to be well taken at slip by Bate.

A run out helped the Lilleshall cause while a wicket each for spinners Simon Millington and Bate made it 86-5 before the home side fought back with an unbeaten sixth wicket stand of 68.  Airey finished with 1-26, Russell 1-25, Bate 1-37 and Millington 1-31.

With more players available, Lilleshall hope to stop their slump at home to Cound next time out.

26th July - vs Worfield (Home) 

Dave Marshall scored his first league century but still finished on the losing side as Lilleshall had no answer to the all-round talents of Worfield professional Manny Singh.

The final margin was seven wickets in the division 1 fixture of the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League but apart from the efforts of the visitors’ hired hand, there was little else to choose between the teams.  Lilleshall could also take heart from the performances of youngsters Alex Russell, who the previous week made 40 at Llanidloes, and Chris Airey who have both come through the club’s coaching scheme.

Put into bat Lilleshall had the perfect platform of an opening stand of 50 from Marshall and Simon Bushell.  But then Bushell, having blunted Singh’s early burst and made 11, had a rush of blood and was stumped when spin was brought into the attack.  Marshall however batted on in imperious manner and found the ideal partner in skipper Nick Clewley who was returning to the team after missing the last five weeks with a broken finger.

With eight fours and a six Marshall raced to his 50 and he continued to punish the Worfield bowling.  Nine more fours followed as Marshall raced to his 100 in what is proving to be a great season for the opener.  At 170-1 off 37 overs Lilleshall looked set for a bumper score but the loss of Marshall on 102 proved a turning point.  Another wicket fell at 191 as Clewley eased to his half century with nine fours but when he holed out on 197 for 53 the momentum for the innings fell away.  The new batsmen to the crease found Singh’s pace hard to handle and the innings finally petered out to 208-6 off their 50 overs.

Lilleshall missed an early chance to part the openers but after that it was almost all one-way traffic.  Will Askin finally broke the opening stand but Singh’s arrival meant a hard afternoon for the fielders.  Askin (1-42) limped out of the attack with a knee strain while Russell and Airey bowled well without reward and it took a run out to bring the second wicket.

Richard Harris (1-27) claimed the third wicket but Singh was unbeaten on a stylish 80 as Worfield clinched victory in the 44th over.  Lilleshall travel to Alberbury next who have replaced them in third place in the league table.

12th July - vs Market Drayton (Home) 

Lilleshall’s mid-Summer blues continued in division one of the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League when losing a thriller to Market Drayton by just one wicket.

For Lilleshall, who had led the table on Midsummer’s Day, it was a third defeat in four games and it was lack of player availability that led to a bleak Saturday with defeats for all three club teams.  At Lilleshall the firsts, with only five regulars in their line-up, had to bat first against Drayton in a match restricted to 40 overs a side because of the uncertain weather.

And they suffered an early blow on a damp bowler-friendly wicket when in-form Dave Marshall was dismissed with just 12 on the board.  The bowlers were getting some tennis ball bounce off the surface but Ollie Todd and Steve Bate took the score to 43-1 in 16 overs.  The loss of Todd (25) quickly followed by Bate (12) made it 44-3 and after Will Askin’s three four 14 ended when another expansive drive went wrong it was 69-4.

Andy Holding and young Chris Airey slowly tried to repair the damage but Drayton kept a tight grip on matters.  Holding was fifth out for 20 with the score on 92 while Airey (12 ) and the returning Simon Drinkwater (12) tried to up the scoring rate.  Alex Vasililonka hit the only six of the innings which ended on 129-8, a disappointing 33 coming off the last 10 overs.

Drayton however found matters no easier as 16-year-old Adam Copsey underlined his undoubted promise with a blistering opening spell of 3-11 that had the visitors tottering.  His opening partner Askin grabbed a wicket and another youngster under-15 player Alex Russell (1-20) made it 49-5 thanks to a catch by Copsey.

But then Lilleshall dropped two catches, one easy, the other difficult as the sixth wicket pair added 52 before Askin finally broke it.  Askin with two more wickets and one for Copsey took Lilleshall in sight of victory at 121-9 but the last pair scrambled the final nine runs for victory.  Askin finished with 4-32 off 15 overs and Copsey 4-25 off 10.

Lilleshall, with hopefully some players returning, head for Llanidloes in their next game.

5th July - vs Wroxeter (Home) 

Rain finally thwarted Lilleshall’s hopes of getting back to winning ways in division 1 of the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League when they entertained Wroxeter.

Two successive defeats had seen Lilleshall slip from first to third in the table but they looked in better fettle when asked to bat first. Dave Marshall and Simon Bushell gave them the perfect start with an opening stand of 115. In-form Marshall was the dominant partner while Bushell, who has had a sticky start to the season, slowly eased himself back to form. In a boundary laden display Marshall raced to his 50 with eight fours, three sixes and two singles.

Bushell was also finding the boundary with regular ease and he had hit seven fours when he was finally bowled for 40 with the score on 115. Lilleshall them suffered a mini collapse with Marshall third out at 127 when he made 80. He hit 10 fours and three sixes and looked to have a century for the asking when he disappointingly holed out at deep mid-on. Steve Bate , five fours in his 21 and Kelvin Price (13) steadied the innings with 36 for the fourth wicket but the latter stages of the innings were dominated by Will Askin who hit his first ball for six and added two more maximums plus four fours in an unbeaten 40 as the innings closed on 225-7 off 45 overs.

Askin and his young opening bowling partner Adam Copsey quickly removed the Wroxeter openers but the game still had some mileage left with the visitors, who were a batsmen short after a fielding injury, battling away at 71-2 in the 22nd over when a third break for rain provided to be the match-finisher.

Lilleshall are at home in their next game when they start the second half of the season by entertaining Market Drayton.

28th June - vs Trysull & Seisdon (Away) 

Despite a tremendous all-round performance from Will Askin, an under-strength Lilleshall slumped to defeat at division 1 strugglers Trysull and Seisdon in the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League.

Following defeat in their previous game to top of the table rivals Allscott – a setback that cost them their leaders place – this loss pushes Lilleshall down another place to third.  Askin did all he could to get his side back to winning ways taking the five Trysull wickets to fall as the home side slumped to 71-5. Occasional bowler Greg Munslow made it 78-6 before Askin struck again at 101-7.  That, however, was the last success for Lilleshall as the home side rallied with an unbeaten eighth wicket stand of 120 to close their innings on 212 for 7 off their 45 overs.

Askin finished with 6-43 off 20 overs, the other five bowlers, in a makeshift attack, combined for 1-161 from 25 overs.

Lilleshall were always struggling after a dreadful start. Dave Marshall made 27 but the other top four batsmen scored just five between them as the innings collapsed to 38-5.  Askin then joined Kelvin Price (10) to add 34 for the sixth wicket and Robert Beech (15) hung around with the defiant Askin while another 42 runs were added.  Askin hit 10 fours and a six but when he was out for 66 to make it 130-8 the contest was over.   Lilleshall finally finished on 144 with Munslow 13 not out. The runs had come in only 29.1 overs suggesting a lack of application by the Lilleshall side.

Lilleshall are at home to Wroxeter for their next game.

21st June - vs Allscott (Home) 

Lilleshall failed to come up to scratch in their top-of-the-table clash with Allscott in division 1 of the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League.

They probably gave their least impressive display of the season as they slumped to a nine wicket defeat, a setback that had Allscott replacing Lilleshall at the top of the table.  Rain overnight and in the morning failed to stop the action going ahead at Lilleshall and probably the biggest blow for the home side, who were without in-form batsmen Dave Marshall and Paul Bainbridge, was losing the toss and being asked to bat first.

Things didn’t start too badly for Lilleshall with 22 for the first wicket before Steve Bate (13) holed out to mid-off and it became 40-2 when his opening partner Simon Bushell was caught at short midwicket.  Skipper Nick Clewley (22) looked in good form but a blow to the hand handicapped him and it was a big setback for Lilleshall when, struggling to grip the bat properly, he lofted the ball to mid-off to make it 62-3 and despite 24 from Kelvin Price, the rest of the innings fell away as the wicket was livened up by spells of light drizzle.

The last wicket fell at 107 and Lilleshall’s hopes of bowling out their rivals were further dented as they missed three chances – two possible catches and a clear-cut run-out – to get rid of Carl Starling who has been in great form this season.  After that Starling, with more rain threatening, blasted his way to 45 before he was bowled by Chris Airey.

The game was virtually over by then however, and Allscott eased their way to victory.  Lilleshall hope to rectify a bit of the damage when they travel to Trysull and Seisdon.

14th June - vs Pontesbury (Away)

League leaders Lilleshall kept their top spot in division 1 of the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire League with a four wicket victory at Pontesbury.

It was their sixth win in eight games and maintains their one point lead over Allscott, who also won.  Now the top two meet at Lilleshall tomorrow (2.00) and, adding spice to the occasion, will be the fact that the visitors seem sure to contain three or four ex-Lilleshall players in their team.

At Pontesbury Lilleshall had a dream start when Steve Bate, bowling the first ball of the second over, dismissed the in-form Sean McCarthy with a slow ball that had the batsman lbw for nought.  Askin then dismissed the other opener, also for nought and when Bate (2-11 off nine overs) struck again to make it 29-3 Lilleshall were well in command.  The ever-dangerous Askin then cut short a mini revival when he suddenly found an extra gear to grab three quick wickets.

The first came with a Nick Clewley catch in the slips and then wicket-keeper Price hung on to two edges behind the wicket.  Andy Bate (1-37) took a catch off his own bowling to take the seventh wicket and, after a spell of really sloppy Lilleshall fielding, Ian Dawes held on to a fierce drive at cover point to give Askin his fifth wicket.  The top wicket-taker finally finished with 5-77 off his 20 overs.  Dawes then came on at the end to claim two wickets as the tail threatened to wag with some effect and Pontesbury were finally all out for 151.

It was a score that Lilleshall would have taken at the start of play but they still felt the home side had got off the hook thanks to some lack lustre ground fielding.  However openers Simon Bushell and Dave Marshall banished any thoughts of self pity with an opening stand of 60 that should have set Lilleshall on the way to a comfortable victory.  Marshall in particular took advantage of some short-of-a-length bowling and it was a bit of a surprise when he top edged a catch to third man after he had made 37.

Lilleshall then contrived to dribble away the wickets, although Bushell could hardly do anything with the ball that trappped him lbw for 28 and they still needed 40 to win when Price joined Clewley for the seventh wicket but they stayed together to steer Lilleshall home.  Skipper Clewley led from the front with an unbeaten 36 not out that contained some commanding drives through the offside and the solid Price (14 not out) finally finished it off with a glorious cover drive for another 21 points.

Shropshire Star Village Knock Out  

Lilleshall moved on in the Shropshire Star Village knock out when they beat Forton. Batting first at home Lilleshall lost three wickets for 35 all to Chris Sayers before Paul Bainbridge and Ollie Todd added 93 for the fourth wicket.  Bainbridge was in typical robust form and hit eight fours and three sixes before he was dismissed for 74.  Todd hit 35 with six fours and, when he was fifth out for 34, skipper Will Askin made sure the innings finished with a flourish as he made an unbeaten 44.  He had good sixth wicket support from Stuart Lane (17 not out) as the innings closed on 213-6.

Forton never recovered from a bad start and were finally bowled out for 92 with only Adam Goulding (37) showing any real resistance.  Youngsters Adam Copsey and Chris Airey both took three wickets each.  Richard Harris struck twice and there was also a wicket each for Andy Potter and Stuart Lane to go with a run-out engineered by Simon Bushell.

20:20 League

Five days earlier, also at Lilleshall, Forton won their league 20-20 first round match.  Matthew Sayers (6-11) and Chris Sayer (3-29) bowled Lilleshall for 92 and then Forton knocked off the runs for the loss of just four wickets. John Hemmings scored 56 and Andy Bate took 3-12.

7th June - vs Frankton (Home)  

Lilleshall have gone to the top of division 1 in the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League with a tremendous six wicket home win over Frankton.  They now lead Allscott by the smallest possible margin, one point.

Bowling first at home Lilleshall and bowler Steve Bate could hardly have dreamt of what was to follow.  Opening the bowling Bate went for 23 runs in his first four expensive overs as Frankton eased to 34-0 but it all changed then as the innings suddenly collapsed.  Bate (5-47) took the first five wickets to fall in his next nine overs as 34-0 quickly became 58-5.   A run out engineered by Greg Munslow and Andy Potter, completed by Will Askin, made it 60-6 and the rest of innings quickly fell away. The ever dangerous Askin (3-24 off 15 overs) made it 82-9 and Potter finished the innings off at 84.

When Lilleshall batted they had a shock when the in-form Dave Marshall was bowled without a run on the board.  Simon Bushell dug in and the fluent Paul Bainbridge eased to 30 before he was caught after a partnership of 40.  A run later Bushell (9) was out and another wicket made it 47-4.  Skipper Nick Clewley banished any thoughts of a Frankton-type slump as with Andy Bate (9 not out) he eased to the total without any further loss.  Clewley finished on 25 not out with five fours and now takes his side to third placed Pontesbury for their next game.

National Village Knockout 

Lilleshall’s 2008 campaign in the National Village knock-out has come to an end after they were well beaten by visitors Quatt in the regional semi-final.  Lilleshall made 141-8 off their 40 overs with Bainbridge top scoring on 46 and Askin making 21.  With a makeshift bowling attack that was never going to be enough, Quatt’s openers knocked off the runs without being parted. 

31st May – vs Acton Reynald (Away) 

Lilleshall couldn’t quite clinch victory at Acton Reynald in division 1 of the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League, but their winning draw and 19 points was good enough to push them up to second in the table.  With the team above them,  Pontesbury, losing Lilleshall are now the nearest challengers to leaders Allscott.

Batting first at Acton Reynald, Lilleshall had an opening stand of 37 before Simon Bushell (14) was dismissed. Another wicket fell seven runs later, but in-form opener Dave Marshall continued to keep his good run going when joined by skipper Nick Clewley.  They took the score to 116 before Marshall’s innings of 59 came to a close. He had hit eight fours and a six.  Will Askin then hit a breezy 21 with four fours but his dismissal led to a mini collapse and Lilleshall looked in danger at 154-6.  Clewley, however, stood firm and he nursed the lower order along to make it a competitive target.  Greg Munslow hit two fours and a six in a typically robust 17 but it was Clewley who held centre stage with his innings of 71.  He hit six fours and two sixes and, after his dismissal, Lilleshall’s innings closed on 224.

Opening bowlers Askin and Steve Bate took an early wicket each but then the home side dug in for a draw, although they had 52 overs to get the runs.  With two of the regular bowlers missing, Alex Vasilonka stepped in as the spinner and his variety earned his three wickets while Chris Airey (1-17) and Paul Bainbridge (1-10), both struck with the first ball they each bowled.  Richard Dakin (2-19) got into the wicket-taking act late in the innings but, despite Askin coming back, Acton Reynald hung on at 144-9.

Lilleshall play Frankton at home in their next match.

24th May - vs Cound (Away)

Lilleshall continued on their merry way in division 1 of the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League with a convincing five wicket win at Cound.

Good bowling followed up by solid batting, spearheaded by a sparkling knock from Dave Marshall, set them up for their fourth win from the first five games and keeps them in hot pursuit of leaders Allscott.  Winning the toss and fielding first Lilleshall had a great start when young Adam Copsey dismissed danger man Graham Trow thanks to a catch by Will Askin, who then bowled out the other opener.  Copsey (2-42), who is developing the agreeable habit of getting rid of top order batsmen, made it 29-3 before Cound slowly start to fight back.

Good Lilleshall bowling and tight fielding restricted the scoring on the small ground and the dogged fourth wicket partnership was finally broken with a catch on the boundary by Askin during a good spell of spin bowling by Andy Bate.  He then struck twice more for figures of 3-34 and Askin (4-41) returned to stop the tail wagging with three wickets as Cound finished their 50 overs on 171-9.

The target looked well within Lilleshall’s reach but they made the worst possible start when losing Simon Bushell in the first over.  Dave Marshall and Steve Bate then start to repair the damage with some postive stroke play.  Bate struck six fours in his knock of 32 and when he was finally dismissed the score was on 63.  Marshall had also been hitting the ball to the boundary with great effect and he found another good partner in skipper Nick Clewley.  Cound had little answer to Marshall’s powerful driving which brought him 14 fours and two sixes and he was in sight of his century when he unluckily stumped off the keepers’ pads. He had made 84 and the third wicket pair had added 77.   Two more wickets fell but Clewley eased his side to victory with an unbeaten 25 while Jimmy Lewis, appearing for the first time this season, stayed with him to finish on eight.

Lilleshall are on their travels again next when they play at Acton Reynald.

17th May - vs Alberbury (Home)

Will Askin was the star as Lilleshall made it three wins from four by beating Alberbury in division one of the FBC Manley Bowdler Shropshire Cricket league. The win, by three wickets, kept Lilleshall amongst the early pace setters at the top of the division.  Batting first in a match restricted to 40 overs a side because of the damp weather, Alberbury were hit hard by a great opening spell from 16-year-old Adam Copsey (2-14).  He dismissed Alberbury’s top batsmen, Mark Crawshaw and Mark Jones, and with fellow opener Askin weighing in with a wicket, the visitors were struggling at 27-3.  Richard Dakin (1-32) got into the wicket taking act to make it 49-4 but as the ball lost its shine and shape over the wet outfield so Alberbury got back into the match.  Steve Bate (2-21) stopped a middle order surge and Askin (3-71) struck twice more to make it 136-8.  Alberbury staged a late fightback and finished their 40 overs on 174-8 to set Llilleshall a testing target.

It was made even tougher when they lost Simon Bushell early on and then Dave Marshall (11) and Steve Bate (18) in quick succession to make it 39-3.  That brought Askin to the wicket to join skipper Nick Clewley and they added 36 for the fourth wicket. It was a pleasant surprise for Alberbury when Clewley who looked in no trouble, was bowled off his pads for 18. Wicketkeeper Kelvin Price. fresh from three catches and a smart stumping in the Alberbury innings, gave more support to Askin, adding 42 for the fifth wicket before he was out for 13. Askin who mixed watchful defence with a series of big shots, now set about guiding the lower order to the winning score. Dakin hung around while another 17 was added before being run out with the score on 134 with nine overs left.  Greg Munslow (12 not out) then dug in and helped ease the pressure on Askin with a couple of boundaries.  The winning score was almost reached when Askin was harshly judged lbw off the fourth ball of the last over with just two needed for victory.  He had made a match winning 81 with eight fours and four sixes to prove yet again he is the best all rounder in the league.  His shock dismissal brought in Alex Vasilonka who was playing his first game of the season. His first ball was a wide to bring the scores level and off the next he hit a four high over the bowlers’ head to give  Lilleshall 21 points.

Lilleshall now visit Cound for their next game

STOP PRESS: Lilleshall progressed in the National Village knock-out on Sunday when Tibberton conceded their second round tie.  The two teams had met five days earlier in the league’s 20-20 knock-out competition preliminary round with Lilleshall progressing.

Scores:

Tibberton 150 (Elcock 36 not out, Gilroy 20, S Bate 4-32, Askin 2-17)

Lilleshall 155-3 (Askin 89, Clewley 23 not out).

10th May - vs Worfield (Away)

It was third time unlucky for Llleshall when they lost their 100 per cent record in division 1 of the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League. Following their opening two wins, they went down by two wickets at Worfield in a see-saw that saw the best of Lilleshall’s battling qualities. Batting first on a wicket that rewarded the patient rather than the flamboyant, Lilleshall’s openers were pegged back by some accurate bowling with the ball swinging in the humid conditions. They lost Dave Marshall with only six on the board in the seventh over. Paul Bainbridge set about reparing the damage and he scored 20 – five fours – before surprisingly edging one to the keeper. The first ball after a drinks break accounted for opener Simon Bushell and when Andy Bate was adjudged lbw it was 49-4. Three runs later worse was to follow for Lilleshall with Nick Clewley and Will Askin were both out off successive balls as they were caught out by some indifferent bounce. The innings was in tatters at 52-7 but young Chris Airey and Greg Munslow added 27 for the eighth wicket. Munslow made 14 before lobbing a catch to mid-on and Airey who battled away for eight followed four runs later. The tail continued to wag with Richard Dakin (15) and Adam Copsey (5 not out) adding 17 more runs before the innings ended on 100, giving Lilleshall a highly unlikely batting point. If Lilleshall were down they were not out as they made Worfield scrap every inch of the way for victory. Nick Clewley (1-22) struck with the score on five and it was 17-2 when Askin (2-42) got a wicket thanks to a good catch by Airey off a full blooded off drive. Worfield’s new recruit, former Shropshire batsman Matt Turner, lasted two balls against Askin, beaten all ends up by the first and lbw off the second to make it 21-3. Then Dakin (1-15) got into the act to make it 41-4. Worfield’s skipper – Tim Perry – was dropped off the easiest of catches with the score on only five – then dug in with his fifth partner to add 43 runs for the sixth wicket; although Lilleshall felt unlucky the partnership hadn’t ended sooner with a run out appeal. The Bate brothers then set up a tense finale. Steve (2-9) snared Perry with Dakin’s diving catch while Andy (2-11) hung on to blistering drives for two caught and bowled. However, the end came when the ninth wicket pair scored the final six runs. Lilleshall entertain Alberbury next.

3rd May - vs Llanidloes (Away)

Lilleshall made it two wins out of two in Division 1 of the Shropshire Cricket League when grinding out a 49 run win over Llanidloes.  Batting first, Lilleshall were indebted to a sparkling 76 from Paul Bainbridge. Coming in at 17-1, when Dave Marshall (11) was dismissed, Bainbridge quickly took the attack to the bowlers.  Simon Bushell stayed with him until the score was 52 and then Lilleshall lost two more quick wickets to make it 53-4.  But Kelvin Price was the man for a crisis and he stayed with Bainbridge who was unleashing shots to all parts.  He hit three sixes and eight fours and it was a surprise and relief to Llanidloes when he was dismissed for 76 with the score on 111.  Price (10) was out one run later and Lilleshall tottered to 139-8 before Steve Bate (16 not out) and Richard Dakin (14) added a much needed 22 for the ninth wicket. Then two wickets off successive balls ended the innings at 161.Llanidloes had 54 overs to get the runs but Will Askin soon had them struggling for runs.  It was Askin who took the first wicket and Nick Clewley (1-13) accounted for the other opener.  Another wicket for Askin put Lilleshall in charge but they had to be patient as the visitors proved to be in stubborn mood.   Skipper Clewley switched his bowlers and it paid off with a wicket each for the excellent Dakin (1-6) and 16-year-old Chris Airey (1-14).  Another youngster Adam Copsey (2-20), who had opened into the breeze, then enjoyed coming down wind with two wickets while Steve Bate (2-22) also got into the act.  Askin (3-28) returned to grab the ninth wicket and Bate finished off the innings at 112 to give Lilleshall maximum points with a 49 run success.

26 April – vs Market Drayton (Home)

Lilleshall made a great start to their new cricket season when brushing aside Market Drayton in division 1 of the Shropshire Cricket League. Will Askin, aided and abetted by his 16-year-old new ball partner Adam Copsey, made the most of some woeful Market Drayton batting to dismiss the home side for a mere 57 – and 31 of those came in extras. Drayton were missing two or three regulars but the rest were quickly in trouble. Askin struck first and then Copsey joined in to make it 4-2. That disastrous start became 12-4 with a wicket each for the bowlers. The rest almost became the Askin show as he rushed through the rest of the innings to finish with 7-17 off 13.3 overs – including tossing in a leg break that completely bemused a hapless batsman who watched as the ball turned back 18 inches to clatter into the leg stump! Young Copsey finished with 2-8 off his six overs while Richard Dakin got into the act with 1-12 off four overs. For Drayton only John Upton (11 not out) reached double figures and batting at number 4, could only watch as their innings fell apart. If Lilleshall had any nerves chasing down the small total Dave Marshall quickly dismissed them in summary fashion. He hammered the first ball for four and then proceeded to display a range of great shots. He finished with 41 not out, including six fours, as the target was reached in the 10th over. Marshall lost his opening partner Simon Bushell at 34 but Paul Bainbridge (9 not out), making his Lilleshall debut, stayed with him without bother for a nine wicket success. New Lilleshall skipper Nick Clewley was delighted with the early points haul although stiffer tasks lie ahead, starting with Llanidloes at home.

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