Second XI 2008

20th September – vs Hinstock (Away)

Lilleshall seconds just failed to bowl out Hinstock to end their division 4 campaign with a winning draw.

Batting first Lilleshall made 150-9 off their 45 overs with their season’s leading batsman Stu Lane making 68 with two sixes and five fours. He was supported with double figure contributions from Jon Steer (18), skipper Edward Seabury (17), Ollie Todd (14) and Martin Jefferis (12).

After an early run out the Lilleshall wickets were shared out by S Collins (3-12), J Taylor (3-45), John Lea (1-17) and Rob Smith (1-42).  Lea’s early run out gave Lilleshall bowlers plenty of encouragement and then Andy Potter and Steve Pedley (2-22) struck to pile on the pressure.

A wicket each from Seabury (1-17) Jefferis (1-17) and Richard Harris (1-20) kept Lilleshall on top while Potter returned from two more late wickets to finish with 3-27 off 15 overs.  But Rob Smith stood firm for Hinstock with 38 not out and he guided them to 119-9 at the end.

13th September – vs Cound (Away)

Lilleshall seconds’ promotion hopes in division 4 nosedived when their match at MEB was cancelled with the ground alongside a swollen River Severn in Shrewsbury predictably unfit.  That allowed Cound to take over second spot with a win at bottom club Montgomery.

In the final matches Lilleshall must look to beat fourth placed visitors Hinstock and hope that Cound slip up in an easier looking fixture at home to a fading Harcourt.

30th August – vs Harcourt (Away)

Lilleshall 2nd XI have cranked up the pressure in the race for promotion from division 4 in the Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket league by taking maximum points on their visit to Harcourt.

And a good day for the team was even more memorable for Martin Jefferis who cracked his first ever century and he had to do it the hard way coming to the wicket at 29-3.  The all-rounder and wicket-keeper Ollie Todd banished any thoughts of a crisis with a partnership of 144 to give the second placed side the upper hand.

Todd made 32 but it was Jefferis who provided the fireworks. He hit seven fours to reach his half century and then put all the bowlers to the sword.  He reached the magic three figures off the second ball of the last over and then hit 10 more before being bowled off the final delivery going for another big hit leaving Lilleshall’s total on 193-5 after 40 overs

Harcourt, a player short and with another unable to bat, were soon in trouble with Andy Potter (2-18) and skipper Edward Seabury reducing them to 23-4.  The slide continued with Seabury (4-24) and Pete Maltby (2-82) wrapping up the innings at 70.

Lilleshall have a home local derby against Church Aston next.

16th August – vs Claverhall (Away)

Lilleshall seconds also suffered an early finish in their division 4 fixture at promotion rivals Claverhall.

Batting first, Lilleshall made 176-9 off their 40 overs. Stu Lane hit 10 fours and a six in his typically robust 63 while opener Jon Steer with 26 helped him add 67 for the second wicket. Martin Jefferies hit 16 in the late run charge that gave Lilleshall four bonus points as they finished on 176-9 off 40 overs.

Andy Potter and skipper Edward Seabury took a wicket each but the rain poured down to end proceedings with the home side on 76-2.

2nd August - vs Alberbury (Home) 

Lilleshall seconds suffered a setback to their promotion hopes when a badly weakened side slumped by seven wickets at home to Alberbury in division 4. 

They made 155-6 off their 45 overs after some early problems.  Jon Steer made 23 as the top order slipped to 49-4 before Ollie Todd and skipper Edward Seabury put on 70 for the sixth wicket.  The partnership was broken when Seabury was out for 33 with four fours and a six but Todd batted on to make 39 before he sixth out with the score on 138.

Richard Leech hit some robust shots in his 19 not out before the innings closed .

Lilleshall’s bowling attack was missing all their regulars with the exception of Seabury and it showed as the ball disappeared to all parts of the ground as the visitors cruised to victory in the 27th over.  Leech (2-29) was the most successful bowler while Alex Dyer (1-24) broke the opening partnership.

Lilleshall travel to Cound next while the thirds entertain Guilsfield at Edgmond

26th July - vs Worfield (Away) 

Lilleshall seconds have revived their faltering promotion hopes in division 4 of the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League by beating league leaders Worfield.  It was a full 24 points they took away on their travels with a tremendous 63 run victory to close the gap on the leaders and ease them back into fourth spot.

Batting first, Lilleshall had the early impetus from Jon Steer (16) and Martin Jefferies (21) but the innings was built around 55 from Simon Milllington with 10 fours.  In the final overs skipper Edward Seabury upped the scoring with 28 as his side finished on 200-8.

If Worfield fancied their chances then they soon knew their fate as Andy Potter (5-34) with help from Rob Bagshaw (1-23) cleaned out the top order.  Jefferies (2-21) kept up the pressure while spinners Millington (1-19) and Seabury (1-23) also got their reward.

Lilleshall entertain Alberbury in their next game.

12th July - vs Corvedale (Away) 

Lilleshall seconds suffered a blow to their promotion aspirations in division 4 when losing at lowly Corvedale.

The shortage of first team regulars had its effect on the Lilleshall team who were also one or two short of their settled XI and they took the field with just 10 men.  In a match restricted to 35 overs Corvedale made 140-5. Steve Pedley (1-16) made an early breakthrough while Simon Millington (3-40) was the main wicket-taker. Skipper Edward Seabury (1-23) was the other wicket taker.

The Lilleshall innings were a tale of woe and they were bowled out for 110 in the 29th over.  Pedley promoted from the tail to open the innings top scored with 48 (six fours and a six) and when he was dismissed in the 17th over at 79-3 Lilleshall must still have fancied their chances but the rest of the innings collapsed, six wickets going down for 31 runs.

Next Lilleshall hope to get back to winning ways when entertaining Montgomery.

5th July - vs Hinstock (Away)

Lilleshall seconds slipped up in their promotion quest in division 4 when failing to stop the match winning charge up the table by Hinstock.

Batting first at Hinstock Lilleshall had a flying start from Stu Lane (four fours and two sixes) in his 32 and Ollie Todd with seven fours in his 47. They added 63 in the first 10 overs before Lane was dismissed. Todd was then joined by another youngster Chris Airey and they added 78 for the second wicket.

Airey was third out for a highly promising 57 but the Lilleshall innings failed to accelerate in the final 10 overs. They only added 50 despite having wickets to spare on a small ground and finally finished on 194-5, even missing out on a fifth batting bonus point. Simon Millington hit three sixes in his unbeaten 23 while Martin Jefferies made 19.

If Lilleshall gave Hinstock a chance with their sluggish end to the innings they handed the home side even more encouragement by dropping several catches.  That allowed Hinstock, chasing a fifth straight win, to race to victory for the loss of six wickets. Millington with 4-35 did his best to stem the flow while there was also a wicket each for Steve Pedley and the returning Chris Hadley but it was all too little too late; although Lilleshall did hang on to second place in the table.

Lilleshall head to Corvedale for their next game.

28th June - vs MEB (Home)

Lilleshall seconds kept up their chase of division 4 leaders Worfield by beating MEB Sports by three wickets. They stay in second and their position  was made even better by Church Aston beating Claverhall.

Batting first, at Lilleshall, MEB were bowled out for 161. Andy Potter (2-28) made the early breakthrough while Martin Jefferis (3-34) and Simon Millington (1-29) accounted for middle order.  Rob Bagshaw (3-46) then returned to make sure the tail didn’t wag too much.

Lilleshall lost Ollie Todd (10) while Richard Leech’s bright 17 (two fours and a six) ended too soon to make it 46-3.  It quickly became 52-4 before Jefferies (44) and Millington (40) calmed the nerves with a fifth wicket stand of 66. When they fell in quick succession skipper Edward Seabury (17 not out) calmly batted through while Potter hit four fours in his 18; although when he departed at 148 the game was still in the balance.

Lilleshall travel to Hinstock for their next match.

14th June - vs Harcourt (Home)

Lilleshall seconds cemented their second place in division 4 with a big home win over Harcourt who started the day just three points behind them.

The damage was done by Steve Pedley who claimed 4-21 in his 10 over spell.  That reduced Harcourt to 40-4 and when Chris Airey (1-26) struck it was 55-5.  The rest of the 10-man innings quickly fell away as, aided by a run out, Alex Vasilonka wrapped up the tail with three wickets for four runs in just 13 balls.

Lilleshall’s task should have been easy but only Martin Jefferies (17) and Airey (10) reached double figures as they slumped to 45-6.  Skipper Edward Seabury however stood firm and, re-discovering some of his old batting form, hit three boundaries in 18 not out to reach the modest winning target without further alarm.

Lilleshall are away to Church Aston tomorrow.

7th June - vs Chelmarsh (Away)

Lilleshall seconds consolidated their third spot in division 4 with a great eight wicket win at Chelmarsh.

It was win engineered by the younger players with Alex Russell starring with the ball and Ollie Todd and Ian Dawes with the bat.  Chelmarsh, batting first, made a great start until the opening partnership was broken by Steve Pedley.  Russell then got into the act with two quick wickets while a run out and another Pedley (2-47) strike helped the Lilleshall cause as the innings started to fold.  Ian Dawes (1-24) and Chris Airey (1-3) also got in on the wicket-taking act before Russell wrapped up the innings with three more victims.  The 15-year-old finished with 5-38 off eight overs as Chelmarsh made 161.

Lilleshall had an encouraging start with an opening stand of 40 as Stuart Lane cracked a quick 29 with five fours.  His dismissal led to a second wicket stand of 94 betweeen fellow opener Todd and Dawes.  Todd hit his first half century of the season, with nine fours before his dismissal for 57.  With 28 runs needed Dawes, who finished on 34 not out with six fours, found a solid partner in young Airey (12 not out) as they eased their way to an eight wicket victory.

Lilleshall entertain MEB Sports next.

31st May – vs Claverhall (Home)

Lilleshall lost second place in division 4 after being beaten at home by Claverhall, who had started the game in third spot.

Losing the toss and asked to bat on a wicket that was drying out after the midweek downpours, Lilleshall soon lost two wickets with the score on 14.  Sam Turner (16) was next to go after adding 45 for the third wicket with Andy Holding who then found a willing partner in Ian Dawes who made 19.  The loss of Holding (33) on 81 sparked a mini collapse with Lilleshall slumping  to 84-6.  Dawes then holed out with the score on 110 and it was then left to the tail to wag with some effect.  Steve Pedley (31 not out) led the counter attack and was helped along the way by Richard Harris (15) and with Alex Russell looking better than the average division 4 no 11, a priceless 23 was added in an unbroken stand for the last wicket.

The innings closed on 168-9 but Claverhall were soon into their stride with a bright opening stand that was only broken by a run out.  Lilleshall rarely looked like snatching a victory from their poor position and Claverhall ran out five wicket winners. There was a wicket each for Pedley, Russell, Andy Potter and Harris.

Lilleshall travel to Chelmarsh for their next match.

24th May – vs Cound (Home)

It was a record-breaking day at Lilleshall on Saturday when their second XI openers Stuart Lane and Sam Turner gave them a day to remember in their Division 4 game against Cound in the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League.

The two batsmen both scored centuries as they carried their bats in 45 overs to close the innings on 240 for NONE.  It set a new record for a 2nd XI opening partnership, breaking the previous best set 22 years ago by Beau Chapman and Dave Wright.  Both batsmen hardly gave a chance with the hard hitting Lane cracking 14 fours and two sixes in his maiden century knock of 108 not out.  The more cultured Turner, no stranger to three figure scores in earlier days at Wolverhampton, hit 15 fours and a six to reach 101 not out.  Cound used seven bowlers but without reward on a batting strip that was a credit to groundsman Greg Munslow.

And so good was the wicket that Lilleshall also struggled with the ball.  Martin Jefferies and skipper Eddie Seabury got rid of the openers while Alex Vasilonka also got into the wicket taking act.  Cound were never in the hunt for winning and opening bowlers Steve Pedley (2-27) and young Alex Russell (2-38) returned to peg them back further as the innings finally closed on 151 for seven to give Lilleshall the lions’ share of the points.   It also keeps them handily placed near the top of the table and they hope to further improve their position at home in their next game against Claverhall who have also started the season brightly.

17th May – vs Alberbury (Away)

The seconds, like the firsts, had tasted defeat for the first time in their last outing, but they too got back to winnings ways when winning by 26 runs at Alberbury in division 4.  In a match also restricted to 40 overs a side, Lilleshall skipper Eddie Seabury elected to bat first and was rewarded by a much better show this time.  They lost a first wicket at four but Sam Turner and Ollie Todd (14) added 40 for the second.  Turner and Andy Holding then took charge with a stand of 78 for the third.  It was only ended when Turner who made 51 with five fours and a six, was run out.  Holding kept going and found a steady partner in Richard Harris who made 26 with two fours and a six. When the innings ended on 211-5 Holding was not out on 66 with four fours and four sixes.

In reply Alberbury threatened at times but finally had to bend the knee to opener bowler Steve Pedley who took 6-51 in two fine spells.  Harris came on as third change and helped wrap up the innings with 3-35.  Lilleshall were better in the field with young Alex Russell, although out of luck with the ball, standing out with a great catch to end a threatening match winning partnership and effecting a run out.  The win gave Lilleshall maximum points and they now turn their attentions to the visit of Cound.

10th May – vs Worfield (Home)

Lilleshall seconds, who had also won their first two matches, came down to earth when hammered by visitors Worfield in division 4. Catches were spilled as Worfield scored 231-8 off their 45 overs. Andy Potter (3-49) was the pick of the bowlers while young Alex Russell (2-38) showed more promise.  There was also a wicket each for Martin Jefferies and Ian Dawes with eighth wicket falling to run out.

Debutant Andy Holding (12) reached double figures but at 30-4 there was no way back.  Jefferies (19) and Dawes (16) also offered some resistance but there was little else as the innings folded at 84 in the 34th over.  Lilleshall travel to face Alberbury next.

3rd May – vs Montgomery (Home)

Lilleshall seconds also maintained their winning start in Division 4 when battling to victory at Montgomery.  Batting was never going to be easy on a rain affected wicket and the home side were quickly pegged back by Steve Pedley who took 3-10 in 11 overs.  His opening bowling partner young Alex Russell bowled five good overs without reward and Andy Potter kept up the pressure taking 2-28 off 10 overs.   Martin Jefferies also took a wicket in five tight overs while Richard Harris, like Russell, got no reward in his bright six overs.  Ian Dawes took two wickets as he came on at the end and Montgomery were restricted to 94-8 off their 40 overs.

Ollie Todd hit 19 when Lilleshall batted but the early part of the innings fell away to 30-5.  Then skipper Edward Seabury and Richard Leech got together for a match winning sixth wicket partnership.  It was Leech who took the lead with a robust innings of 24 that included a six and two fours. When he was dismissed, the more patient Seabury (24 not out) – aided by young Alex Dyer – guided his side to a three wicket success.

Seabury’s side now entertain Worfield.

26th April – vs Corvedale (Away)

Lilleshall seconds also got off to a flier in division 4 with their new skipper Edward Seabury finally playing the match winning role in their home 51 run defeat of Corvedale. Batting first Lilleshall, who were relegated last season, were finally bowled out for 200 in the last of their 45 overs. Opener Stuart Lane set the tone for the innings with a rapid 44 including a six and six fours. After he was dismissed to make it 54-3 Martin Jefferies (45) and Andrew Potter (26) put on 67 for the fourth wicket. Greg Munslow keep the momentum going with 34 and Richard Harris chipped in with 15 before the innings finished on 200. Corvedale had a great start with an opening stand of 65 before Potter (2-46) broke it and then Seabury got into the wicket taking act. Potter’s second victim put Lilleshall back on top and Jefferies (2-6) and Seabury with another wicket, kept up the pressure. Seabury then switched his bowlers around in a bid to end the innings of 10-man Corvedale and finally found the answer when he came back himself . In the 44th over he took two wickets in five balls to end the innings on 149 and give himself final fiqures of 5-20 with his left arm spin.  Seabury and his team head for Montgomery next looking to consolidate on their good start.