First XI 2011

Pontesbury – Home – 30/4/2011

After months of preparations, including a complete revamp of their ground, Lilleshall CC finally got their FBC Manby Bowdler campaign underway, and the Church Road men didn’t disappoint, but only just.

Chasing Pontesbury’s below-par total of 98, the home side were struggling at 25-4, but Richard Dakin’s 24 not-out and a quick fire 16 not-out from captain Will Askin made sure his new look side’s season started with a win.

David Bicknell was given the new ball and he rewarded his skipper immediately picking up three early wickets, one thanks to an outstanding one handed catch from Simon Drinkwater, with some quick and controlled bowling.

Opening partner Askin was causing similar problems for the visiting batsman and he was also able to take three wickets from his opening spell.

Despite a quick outfield, Pontesbury didn’t put up much resistance with Matthew Haigh’s 20 being the only notable contribution.

But Adam Copsey produced a clinical spell of bowling to remove Haigh and finish of the visitor’s innings and he too ended with three wickets for just 13 runs.

At the break the Lilleshall batsman must have been confident of chasing down the low total, but with the wicket quickly deteriorating, it didn’t take long for them to realise that this was not going to be an easy chase.

The home side lost their first four wickets for just 25 runs as the pitch became increasingly unpredictable. Stephen Wilson and Toby Ward were the main destroyers, the pair both picked up two wickets.

But Chris Airey and Richard Dakin brought the home side back into the game with a 30 run partnership. Will Middleton was able to get two quick wickets to bring Pontesbury back into the tie.

Captain Askin however was not going to let his side throw the match away and he made sure they crossed the finish line, ending it with a six, to secure a four-wicket victory.

Lilleshall didn’t get the lightning start they were hoping for, but still managed to gain a 21 point victory and they now travel to Montgomery next weekend where they hope for a similar result, but an improved performance with the bat.

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Montgomery – Away – 7/5/2011

Not even the rain could halt Lilleshall as they continued their good start to the FBC Manby Bowdler league after a dominant performance against Montgomery.

Despite a gutsy 131 from 35 overs, the total was easily reached by the visitors with Eddie Keenan leading the way with a superb 79.

With it being a reduced overs game winning the toss was crucial, fortunately skipper Will Askin was in luck and he immediately tore into the home side’s batting line-up.

Askin (2-23) picked up an early wicket clean bowling the in-form Sam Davies for just one. Adam Copsey (1-26), although he wasn’t at his best, also claimed an early scalp as Lilleshall quickly got on top.

Opener Robert Kinsey (27) slowly started to re-build the home side’s innings, but pick of the bowlers Simon Millington made sure that they didn’t get away.

From his 10 overs, Millington was able to pick up three wickets for just 21 runs as Montgomery struggled to keep the run rate up despite it being a batsman friendly pitch.

A quick fire 27 late-on from Richard Blayney ensured his side reached a respectable total as they finished their 35 overs on 131 for the loss of eight wickets.

Coming out to bat, Lilleshall must have been nervous after last week’s disappointing batting display, but the Church Road men picked up their game with the two openers’s stealing the show.

But the pair had a shaky start, confusion in the middle almost led to an early run-out and then Keenan was dropped while he was still on single figures.

This would prove to be a costly drop as Keenan and Adam Tempest built a strong partnership putting on an impressive 120 runs for the first wicket.

Tempest played the supporting role making a well timed 29, but Keenan was the main destroyer smashing his way to 79, with eight boundaries including three sixes, as the visitors cruised to victory.

Kinsey picked up three late wickets, including both openers, but this didn’t dampen the mood as Lilleshall ended the day top of the league after making it two wins out of two.

Next week the Lightning entertain fellow title chasers Frankton who currently sit in fourth and it sets to be the team’s first major test of the year.

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