First XI 2009

19 September vs Alberbury (Away) 

After some good recent performances that had seen Lilleshall secure their safety in the FBC Manby Bowdler Division 1, they took their foot off the gas and ended their season on a low note when they went down by 9 wickets at Alberbury.

Electing to bat first in a forty over game, they made good progress to begin with and were 71 for 1 after 16 overs, with Dave Marshall (28) and Simon Bushell (29) keeping the score ticking over. However after their respective dismissals and the introduction of spin at both ends, Lilleshall found batting difficult on a pitch that offered some degree of turn and Lilleshall eventually struggled to 133 all out after 37 overs. For Alberbury, Myles Thomas finishing with the excellent figures of 5 for 12 off 8.

Alberbury, in reply, had no problems in knocking off the required runs.  They did so in only 20 overs, with the experienced pair of Mike Crawshaw (57 no) and Mark Jones (49 no) seeing them home.

Lilleshall ended the season in 8th place in Division 1 and will reflect on a disappointing season. There have been some areas of encouragement however, particularly the development of some of the younger members of the team, which should bode well for the future.  

12 September vs Trysull and Seisdon (Home) 

Lilleshall 1st X1 hosted undefeated Trysull and Seisdon on Saturday, with the visitors requiring just 4 points to secure the title and Lilleshall trying to protect their advantage held over the other teams involved in the relegation battle.

Trysull won the toss and unsurprisingly elected to bat on a good hard wicket, with a fast outfield. Opening bowler Steve Pedley took the early wicket of Eceolaza but Trysull made steady progress and after 10 overs had progressed to 31 for 1, with Lilleshall keeping things pretty tight. Unfortunately for Lilleshall this was to prove the high point of the innings as from there on Trysull’s number 3, Lee Nightingale, tore into the bowling. He finished with a league record of 269, hitting 28 fours and 18 sixes. When he was finally out Trysull declared, setting a mammoth 403 for 6 off 45 overs.  Lilleshall’s bowlers and fielders stuck to their task manfully, the evergreen Pedley picked up 5 wickets at an average of 14, an incredible achievement considering the carnage going on around him.

In reply Lilleshall lost the wicket of Dave Marshall off just the 3rd ball of the innings, but a fine second wicket stand of 113 by Simon Bushell (44) and Chris Airey set the foundations for a very good reply by Lilleshall’s batsmen. There were good contributions from Paul Bainbridge (20) and another good knock by Lilleshall’s most consistent performer of the year Oli Todd who finished the innings on 46 not out. It was 18 year old Airey though, who was to prove the shining light.  Having only been promoted to open the batting a few weeks ago, the promising all rounder compiled his maiden century before falling on exactly 100.

Lilleshall batted out the final few overs of the game in the gloom, finishing on 256 for 7. The 10 points picked up for the losing draw an excellent return, and with other results going in their favour, sufficient to guarantee safety in division 1 next year. Lilleshall travel to Alberbury next week for the final game of the season. 

5 September vs Montgomery (Away)  

Lilleshall managed to pick up 21 vital points in their bid to avoid relegation from the FBC Manby Bowdler Division 1 after they comprehensively defeated Montgomery by nine wickets last weekend.

On winning the toss, Lilleshall duly inserted the home side on a dampish wicket and quickly made inroads into their batting.  Chris Airey (2 -15 off 7) and David Bicknell (2-24 off 11) both bowled well, with Airey showing signs of regaining his early season form, but the star with the ball was Richard Dakin (5-16 off 9.3)  who was rewarded with 5 wickets for his accurate, nagging spell. The bowling was backed up by a fine performance in the field, with some good catching and a very sharp stumping from wicket keeper Kelvin Price.  Montgomery were eventually bowled out for 89 off 32.3 overs.

If Lilleshall had any doubts of knocking off the small target on a tricky pitch, they were unfounded as openers Dave Marshall (55 no) and Chris Airey (18), got the innings off to a great start with an opening stand of 64. Simon Bushell  (8 no) joined Marshall and the target was comfortably reached in the 24th over.

A fine performance by under pressure Lilleshall, but a sterner test awaits them when champions elect, Trysull and Seisdon visit next week, with points still at a premium. Lilleshall’s relegation rivals Pontesbury made ground with a 24 point victory batting first against Ellesmere. 

1 August vs Frankton (Home) 

This game fell victim to the unseasonal weather.  Next Saturday is a big fixture for the 1st XI when they travel to Pontesbury in division 1. Both teams, along with Market Drayton, are scrapping to avoid filling the bottom two relegation places and Pontesbury crept closer to Lilleshall last Saturday when pulling off a surprise win at Alberbury. 

25 July vs Cound (Away)  

Lilleshall’s resurgent run, which brought them victories in their previous two games, came to a shuddering halt at Cound in division 1 of the fbc manby bowdler Shropshire Cricket league.

And their defeat by 83 runs came despite some bowling heroics by Dave Bicknell, who had stopped the home side in their tracks after a blistering start to the match.  On a surface giving the bowlers plenty of help, Cound had raced to 55 in the first eight overs before Bicknell, who had been hit for two sixes in his first six balls, produced a hat-trick, all three cleaned bowled, to change the shape of the game.  Another Bicknell wicket, again clean bowled, made it 69-4 and on the same score Chris Airey (1-35) accounted for Cound’s star batter Graham Trow, who had been dropped twice on his way to a six fours and three sixes 49.

Bicknell (5-54) claimed his fifth wicket as Cound tottered on 83-6 but then a match winning seventh wicket stand of 71, which was fed too many four balls, put Lilleshall on the back foot.   Opening bowler Steve Pedley who had gone for 18 in his first three overs then returned to take 4-3 in his next 13 balls to wrap up the innings on 159.

Lilleshall might have fancied their chances but the home side bowled better on the surface that produced the odd lifter and some shooters and easily brushed aside a timid Lilleshall batting effort.

The variable bounce accounted for some wickets but others fell to poor shots as the innings collapsed to 73 all out.  Opener Richard Dakin top scored with 20 but Lilleshall will need to bat better as they entertain Frankton on Saturday in their continued battle against relegation.  Although this disappointing result at Cound still gleaned enough points for them to move up a place in the table.  

18 July vs Worfield (Home)  

Battling Lilleshall pulled off the shock result of the season so far in division 1 of the fbc manby bowdler Shropshire Cricket League when defeating high flying visitors Worfield by 56 runs.

Lilleshall are battling against relegation while Worfield, who have splashed the cash in search of the title, had only lost one game all season and that to the leaders and their big rivals Trysull. But Lilleshall backed up a solid batting display on a wicket hit by heavy rain the previous day and night, with a fine bowling effort with Chris Airey and Alex Russell, last season’s under-16 players again to the fore.

After losing the toss and duly being inserted, Lilleshall soon lost their first wicket but Dave Marshall and Richard Dakin, helped by an unusually poor performance in the field by Worfield, took the score to 61 before Dakin was caught behind for 22. The arrival of skipper Nick Clewley saw an acceleration in the run rate before Marshall fell for 50 with the score on 102.  Clewley was eventually out for 40 including 4 sixes but Simon Millington with 19 and youngsters Chris Airey and Alex Russell who finished on 18 and 9 not out respectively kept the score ticking over and helped Lilleshall finish on a very competitive 172 for 7 after  45 overs. For Worfield the reliable James Parker was the best of the bowlers picking up 4 wickets.

In reply Worfield were soon in trouble against the opening attack of Dave Bicknell and Chris Airey and lost both openers cheaply. Prolific batsman Manny Singh was always going to be the key wicket and when 16 year old Alex Russell had the Worfield professional trapped LBW for 31, Lilleshall began to sniff victory. Richard Dakin pushed Lilleshall’s advantage home taking four middle order wickets capping a good all round performance. Wickets continued to fall but Clewley was forced to mix the bowling around in the face of stubborn resistance from Worfields’ numbers 10 and 11 until off spinner Simon Millington eventually took the decisive final wicket in the 43rd over. Worfields innings finished on 116. Airey and Russell finished with 2 wickets each and Steve Bate 1.

Undoubtedly Lilleshall’s best performance of the season that should leave some room for optimism that they can continue to climb the table during the second half of the season. Lilleshall 24 pts Worfield 4 pts. 

12 July vs Albrighton (Shropshire Star Village Cricket Cup Semi Final) (Home) 

Lilleshall’s hopes of reaching the final of the Shropshire Star village knock-out were dashed when they were beaten by Albrighton on Sunday despite a final 44 by Dave Marshall.  

11 July vs Ellesmere (Away) 

Lilleshall scored a precious victory as they started the second half of their division 1 campaign in the fbc manby bowdler Shropshire Cricket League. 

They not only beat Ellesmere on their own ground by seven wickets but also did it quick enough to beat the approaching rain.  The 20 points not only helped Lilleshall in their relegation battle but also pulled a fading Ellesmere into the struggle to beat the drop.

Put into bat, the inexperienced home side were shot out for just 64. Dave Bicknell with five wickets backed up by Steve Pedley with three were the bowling combination that ruined the home side’s innings.  They was also a wicket each for Chris Airey and Steve Bate.

Lilleshall’s openers Ollie Todd (24 not out) and Dave Marshall (19) rushed their side to the winning target which was reached in just 12 overs for the loss of three wickets.

It will be much tougher for Lilleshall this weekend when title hopefuls Worfield are the visitors (2.00).  

4 July vs Alberbury (Home) 

Lilleshall suffered another defeat as they reached the halfway point in their division 1 campaign in the fbc manby bowdler Shropshire Cricket League.

They were well beaten by Alberbury at Lilleshall to make it six defeats in their first eleven games and now must hope for better fortune in the second half of the season in what is shaping up into a three cornered relegation fight with Pontesbury and Market Drayton.  Minus some of their first choice batsmen Lilleshall were asked to bat first and quickly lost both openers.  Veteran Jon Steer, in a rare first XI appearance and Dave Bicknell rode out the storm and put on 56 for the third wicket.  It was disappointing when first Steer, who had made a solid 22, steered a wide short ball into gulley’s hands and six runs later Bicknell who had made 33 in a classy innings was bowled by a slow long hop to make it 81-4.

Young Alex Russell, batting at five, also looked in good form with 20 but he too was dismissed when looking in little trouble and the rest of the innings fell away to 140 all out.

Bicknell carried his batting form over into a fiery bowling spell that got rid of both openers and was unlucky when he had Alberbury’s classy Mark Jones caught off a no ball.  As it was Jones survived to make a match winning 58 not out on a wicket of variable bounce as Alberbury reached their target for the loss of just three wickets.  Bicknell finished with 2-45 off 12 quick overs while the other wicket fell to stand-in skipper Steve Bate (1-23). Lilleshall travel to Ellesmere next knowing that a positive result could drag their hosts into the relegation scrap.

28 June vs Alberbury (Shropshire Star Village Cricket Cup Quarter Final) (Home) 

Marshall law finally returned to Lilleshall this summer as they booked their place in the semi-finals of the Shropshire Star Village Cricket Cup.

Dave Marshall, who had a blistering start to the 2008 campaign, has struggled for runs this time round but he finally came good in the quarter final tie on Sunday to see off the challenge of visitors Alberbury.  Put into bat, Alberbury lost early wickets to Steve Evans (2-8) and Andy Potter (1-36) while Alex Russell (2-21) stemmed a big fight back.  Steve Bate (2-31) got into the wicket taking act before Rob Bagshaw (3-15) wrapped up the tail as Alberbury were bowled out for 144.

On a wicket of variable bounce Lilleshall needed to bat well in their 40 overs to reach that target and the match was still in the balance when Marshall strode to the wicket on 51-3.  Martin Jeffries with three fours and a six in his 31 was the key man in the early part of the innings and when he was finally out with the score on 72 Marshall took over.  Young Russell (11 not out) kept him company as Marshall tore into the bowling and was in no mood to give his wicket away.  He hit four fours and fours sixes in his 64 not out, finally seeing Lilleshall over the winning line in the 35th over.

Lilleshall now have a home semi-final draw against either Albrighton or Tibberton, who play this weekend, on Sunday July 12 (2:00pm).

27 June vs Trysull & Seisdon (Away)

Lilleshall’s cup success eased some of the pain Lilleshall suffered 24 hours earlier when they got a big drubbing at Trysull and Seisdon in division 1 of FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire league.

Put into bat the league leading home side made 272-4 and they were able to declare after just 39 of their possible 45 overs.  The bright spot for Lilleshall was the return of Richard Dakin (3-67) after a year in Australia while the other wicket fell to Alex Russell (1-26). 

Lilleshall’s batting was then torn apart by Trysull’s Aussie import Andrew Newman and they collapsed to 32-4. Dakin with 28 showed some resistance as an opener but he was sixth out on 62.  Late defiance came from Russell batting at nine with his 36 and he found a willing partner in last man Adam Copsey who was unbeaten on 16 not out as Lilleshall were bowled out for 145.

Lilleshall are at home to Alberbury in the league next.  

20 June vs Montgomery (Home) 

Back-to-form skipper Nick Clewley inspired his Lilleshall side to upset the form book by getting the better of improving visitors Montgomery in division 1 of the fbc Manby Bowdler Shropshire League.

Clewley’s effort was backed up by his teenager bowlers and in the end it was third placed Montogomery who were hanging on for a losing draw – thankful that Lilleshall had dropped no fewer than seven catches, ranging from the acceptable to the downright easy.

Batting first Lilleshall had openers Dave Marshall (28) and Ollie Todd (27) making the best of another home wicket of variable bounce.  But it was Clewley batting at four who changed the game. He received some help from Chris Airey who made 16 but as the rest of the innings fell away the captain blasted the ball to all parts.  He looked all set for his century when he was eighth out for 94 with just 10 balls left of the innings. The next two wickets quickly fell to leave Lilleshall 190 all out.

When Montgomery batted Airey quickly had them on the back foot with two early wickets.  He was backed up by two other youngsters Alex Russell (2-17) and Steve Evans (1-38) to go with a run out but it was the returning Airey (4-22) who left Montogomery struggling for a draw.  The Welsh team held out at 137-8 as Lilleshall rued a severe case of butterfingers.

On a brighter note Lilleshall did pick up 16 points in their bid to get away from the relegation zone and they now head to title chasing Trysull next. 

13 June vs Llanidloes (Away)

Lilleshall have resumed their downward curve in division 1 of the fbc Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League with a hefty defeat at Llanidloes.

Prior to the previous week-end’s wash-out, Lilleshall had won at Market Drayton but on their longest trek of the season to the Welsh borders, skipper Nick Clewley must have feared the worst.  He arrived with a depleted side that included three regular third teamers and another playing his first match of the season .

At least Clewley won the toss and his Lilleshall side were fairly competitive in the field as Llanidloes, who had made a good start, were restricted to 223-6 of their 45 overs. For Lilleshall Chris Airey (2-49), Simon Millington (2-48) and Rob Bagshaw (2-38) were the successful bowlers.

Lilleshall needed to make a good start but their four main batsmen at the top of the order made just 17 between them.

Airey with a season’s best 38 and Andy Holding, on his seasonal debut, with 28 offered some hope but the end still came in the 42nd over with Lilleshall bowled out for just 110.  It left Lilleshall with just four points and their Welsh rivals who could be one of their main relegation rivals, with a maximum haul.

Lilleshall, with a stronger side, entertain another botton-half-of the-table side Montgomery next.

30 May vs Market Drayton (Away) 

Lilleshall won the battle of the basement clubs at Market Drayton in division 1 of the fbc Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League.  Both sides were looking for their first win of the season and it was Lilleshall who came out on top with a seven wicket victory.

Lilleshall skipper Nick Clewley won the toss and decided to let his side field in the afternoon heat.  It was a decision he might have been regretting as the Drayton openers saw off the early threat in a first wicket stand of 67 in 22 overs.

Young Alex Russell (1-19 off six overs) finally produced the breakthrough and 10 runs later experienced Steve Bate made it 77-2.  Another Bate wicket, helped by a slick legside stumping by Oli Todd, and a run-out engineered by Chris Airey made it 98-4. 

Bate returned 2-39 off nine overs and then left armer Steve Evans returned to blow away the middle order.  In a second spell of six overs he had figures of 3-14 to leave the home side in deep trouble.  Opening bowlers Airey (1-30) and Steve Pedley (2-42) then returned to wrap up the innings at 165.  For Airey it was his ninth wicket in the last three matches and, remarkably, they have all been clean bowled.

Lilleshall, like Drayton, made a flying start with Simon Bushell and Clewley putting on 84 for the first wicket. Clewley finally found some of the form that brought him a bucketful of runs last year. He hit nine fours before he was finally dismissed for 46.  Bushell also hit his best form of the season and was particularly severe on any short pitched bowling. He made 60 and when he was third out – Airey had helped him along the way with 19 – Lilleshall were in total command.  Any hopes Drayton had of seeing Lilleshall collapse quickly evaporated as Paul Bainbridge hit six fours in his 26 not out to rush the game to its end.  Lilleshall, who are now a place above the bottom two relegation spots, entertain Wroxeter next.

23 May vs Pontesbury (Home)

Lilleshall are facing a long hard summer in division 1 of the fbc Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League after slipping to defeat against fellow strugglers Pontesbury.

Both sides were looking for their first win of the season but it was the visitors who came out on top on a Lilleshall wicket that is becoming a bit of a nightmare for batsmen.  Lilleshall batted first and were bowled out for just 120. They made a poor start and only Jimmy Lewis (31) made a telling contribution.  Chris Airey (14) and, a back from injury, Simon Bushell (19) helped him along; but the rest of the innings fell away quickly in face of the ever reliable Steve Wilson (6-30).  Pontesbury, who had started the day in bottom spot, made a terrible start as the teenage Lilleshall bowlers tore into them.

Airey, fresh from his first five wicket haul at Frankton, clean bowled three of the top four while Adam Copsey, on his first start this season, also grabbed a wicket as Pontesbury’s top four made between them a meagre seven runs.  Unfortunately for Lilleshall, the back-up bowlers proved expensive as Pontesbury clawed their way back into the game.

Another youngster Alex Russell (1-12) and Rob Bagshaw (1-2) kept Lilleshall in the game. while Copsey (2-12 off nine overs) returned to take the wicket of Dave Simmonds who won the game with his 66 as Pontesbury got over the winning line for the loss of eight wickets.  Airey finished with 3-18 off his eight overs to make it eight wickets in the last two matches….all clean bowled.

Pontesbury are replaced at the bottom of the table by Market Drayton and they entertain Lilleshall next in a really big game for both early season relegation candidates.  

16 May vs Frankton (Away) 

Lilleshall avoided a third successive defeat in division 1 of the fbc Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League at Frankton but it was a close call in the end with their last pair holding out for a losing draw.

In a match restricted to 35 overs per side because of a moderate weather forecast, Frankton batted first and a wicket each for opening bowlers Steve Pedley (1-26) and Chris Airey reduced them to 31-2.  Frankton fought back before Martin Jeffries (2-38 off nine overs) and Steve Bate (2-31, also off nine) got stuck into the home side’s middle order.

The rest of the innings was dominated by the young Airey, who cleaned bowled the last four batsmen to return his first five wicket haul in the senior team.  His final figures were 8-0-30-5 as Frankton were dismissed for 148.

The target looked well within Lilleshall’s reach but, once again, the top order failed as they slumped to 33-3. They hit back with Ollie Todd (33) maintaining his early season form before he was run out. His partner was vice-captain Paul Bainbridge who got going with three successive fours and played a brilliant innings of 76 with six sixes.

But there was precious little support elsewhere and, after Bainbridge was dismissed, it was left to the last pair of Alex Russell and Richard Todd to hold out for a draw with the innings closing on 137-9. Lilleshall entertain fellow strugglers Pontesbury next. 

9 May vs Cound (Home)

Lilleshall’s disappointing start to the season in division 1 of the fbc Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League continued with a five wicket home defeat to Cound.

On a bowler friendly wicket, the Lilleshall batting again struggled while they lacked the firepower to turn the game around in Cound’s innings.  Batting first, Lilleshall were soon in trouble at 29-3 before Ollie Todd and Paul Bainbridge put on 42 for the fourth wicket. Both batted well on a wicket of unpredictable bounce before Todd steered a short ball into gulley’s hands.  Bainbridge was sixth out for a dogged 33 with the score on 95 and the rest of the innings fell away to 135.

Worse still for Lilleshall was the loss of Greg Munslow (23 not out, three fours and a six) who needed hospital treatment for a cut above the eye after being struck by a rising ball.

Lilleshall’s woes continued with opener bowler Dave Bicknell sidelined after just eight balls with a side strain but young Chris Airey (3-50) and Steve Pedley (2-32) enjoyed some success.  However, Cound eased their way to victory in the 33rd over to leave Lilleshall at the wrong end of the table and facing a testing trip to Frankton next.

2 May vs Worfield (Away)

Lilleshall were no match for title favourites Worfield in their division one fixture in the Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League.

Put into bat Lilleshall were blown away for a mere 72 against an attack led by Indian professional Manny Singh.  Only Steve Bate with 25 reached double figures after he arrived at the wicket with the score at 34-7.  The end came in the 33rd over and that total, given Worfield’s strong batting line-up and the under-par strength of the Lilleshall bowling attack, was never enough.

Worfield knocked off the runs in just 13 overs for the loss of one wicket to Chris Airey to bring Lilleshall’s suffering to a speedy end.  Lilleshall now entertain Cound in their next game and skipper Nick Clewley will be looking for more support if his team are not to suffer a long hard summer.

25 April – vs Ellesmere (Home)

Lilleshall made a low-key start to their division 1 campaign in the Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League with their home fixture against Ellesmere running out of time.

The newly promoted visitors batted first against the youthful opening attack of Steve Evans and Chris Airey but it was Greg Munslow (2-85) who removed both openers after a first wicket stand that went into the forties. A wicket for Alex Russell, who was the pick of the home bowlers with 2-32 off nine overs, put Lilleshall on the front foot for a short time but Ellesmere gradually turned the game back in their favour.  Another wicket for Russell and one each for Airey (1-49) and Steve Bate (1-31) checked the middle order before a hard hitting unbeaten seventh wicket stand saw Ellesmere run away to 283-6 off their 50 overs.

Lilleshall lost both openers with only 28 on the board but Ollie Todd (53 not out) and Simon Millington (48) put defeat out of the question with a third wicket partnership of 124.  Millington with five fours and three sixes was in a forceful mood while wicket-keeper Todd, who was in the game for all but four overs, made sure Lilleshall stayed competitive with seven fours and a six.  The loss of Millington, plus two more quick wickets, made sure Lilleshall couldn’t produce any late heroics and when bad light and the league’s rules brought the game to a halt at 8.30pm they were 185-5 with Todd keeping up his vigil and four more overs left.