Second XI 2009

19 September vs Iscoyd & Fenns Bank (Home) 

Lilleshall 2nd XI duly secured promotion to Division 2 of the FBC Manby Bowdler league and did so in some style by securing an 8 wicket victory at home against Oswestry 3rds, although with Worfield 2nd XI also victorious on the final day, Lilleshall had to be content with finishing in 2nd place.

Oswestry could only muster 145 off their 40 overs, with two of Lilleshall’s bowlers collecting all 10 Oswestry wickets. Will Askin taking 6 wickets for 47 off 16 overs and Rob Bagshaw 4 for 21 off just 4.2 overs.  The target was easily reached in the 25th over, with Jon Steer carrying his bat for 45 not out and his opening partner Stu Lane making 45.  Martin Jefferis also chipped in with 22.  

12 September vs Iscoyd & Fenns Bank (Away) 

Lilleshall  Second XI travelled to Iscoyd striving to secure promotion to division 2 and returned with 18 points having gained a healthy winning draw. Batting first, Lilleshall made a competitive 225 for 7. Simon Millington finishing agonizingly short of a century with 97 not out supported by Stu Lane (34) and Richard Leech (27). In reply Iscoyd struggled to 168 for 9, with Lilleshall unable to take the decisive wicket. The wickets were shared around but it was the pace of Andy Potter that was to bring most reward, picking him up 3 wickets. Lilleshall host Oswestry 3rds next week, knowing victory will be sufficient to achieve promotion. 

5 September vs St Georges (Away)  

Lilleshall 2nd XI picked up 21 points, which takes them closer to promotion from division 3, defeating St Georges 3rd XI by five wickets at home. 

All rounder Will Askin (5-36 off 17) providing the star turn with five wickets, including his first ever hat trick and an undefeated 63 in the run chase.  St Georges were bowled out for 152 in 45 overs. Lilleshall knocking off the required runs in just 36 overs. Martin Jefferis also made a good contribution with the bat making 37 batting at 3. 

1 August vs Frankton (Away)  

Promotion hunting Lilleshall seconds were one of the few teams to dodge some of the bad weather to play a game in division 3 in the Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket league .

Their fixture at Frankton, another team in the promotion mix, was able to go ahead and Lilleshall came away with a winning draw after a tense fight.  Put into bat, Lilleshall struggled early on and were finally bowled out for 117 in the last of their 35 overs.  Richard Leech top scored with 37 and was backed up by Chris Tait, making one of his few appearances, with 25.

Frankton’s openers gave their side a great start but both were dismissed in their 30s by Rob Bagshaw (3-13 in eight overs) and he was backed up by Tait with 2-26.  A run out aided the Lilleshall cause and in the end Frankton fell short at 115-6 in their 30 overs.

Lilleshall seconds entertain Pontesbury seconds next.  

25 July vs Cound (Home)  

Martin Jeffries gave a fine all round performance as Lilleshall seconds kept in the hunt for promotion from division 3 by beating visitors Cound by three wickets.

Batting was hard work when Cound batted first with Andy Potter (1-29) making the first breakthrough.  Spinner Alex Vasalonka (3-24) and Jefferis (3-15) then got to work and with Will Askin (1-24) chipping in, Cound struggled to 138-8 in their 45 overs.

Batting was no easier for Lilleshall who quickly lost both openers but Jeffries was up to the challenge hitting 66 in the chase to victory.  Simon Drinkwater, Stu Lane and Askin with scores in the teens gave him some support but Jefferis was the match winner as Lilleshall reached their target for the loss of seven wickets in 34 overs.

Lilleshall travel to Frankton, another of the promotion candidates, next.

18 July vs Worfield (Away)  

Lilleshall completed the double over Worfield when the second string returned to winning ways with a fine 5 wicket victory at Worfield 2nd XI. Worfield lead division 3 after Lilleshall had slipped from that spot after a run of three poor results.

Andy Potter was Lilleshall’s chief destroyer with 7 wickets and there was a wicket apiece for Stephen Evans, Robert Bagshaw and Alex Vasilonka as Worfield’s innings closed on 117 all out. 

Lilleshall reached their target comfortably in the 33rd over with Simon Bushell top scoring on 37 and skipper Ed Seabury seeing them over the line with 18 not out. 

4 July vs Oswestry (Away)  

Lilleshall seconds’ summer in division 3 has hit a sticky patch that has cost them top spot.

After two successive defeats they could only manage a losing draw at Oswestry who made 195-4 in their 40 overs. Skipper Edward Seabury took two wickets and there was one each for Andy Potter and Martin Jefferis.

And it was Jefferis who provided the only serious resistance when Lilleshall batted. They finally hung on at 130-9 thanks to the last pair of Rob Bagshaw and Nicky Harrison after Jeffries had hit a splendid 72.

Lilleshall hope to make up lost ground when they entertain Shrewsbury thirds next. 

27 June vs Fenns Bank & Iscoyd (Away)  

There was a second successive defeat for promotion chasing Lilleshall seconds in division 3 against Fenns Bank and Iscoyd.

Asked to bat first in a 40 over per side game, Lilleshall made 147-5 with Stu Lane leading the way on 71.  He received good support from Jon Steer (20) in an opening stand of 76 and Simon Drinkwater (18) but they could probably needed a few more runs.

With the injured Will Askin missing, Andy Potter took up the mantle of leading bowler with 5-40 in two spells spread over 15.5 overs.  But runs leaked at the other end despite wickets for Rob Bagshaw (1-25) and Chris Hadley (1-26) and the visitors reached their target in the 35th over.

Lilleshall hope to get back to winning ways at Oswestry in a  delayed fixture.

20 June vs St Georges (Away)  

Lilleshall seconds, top of division 3 slumped to an agonising one run defeat at St George’s thirds.

Will Askin took 7-34 and was backed up by Rob Bagshaw (2-26) while Chris Hadley (1-1) took the final wicket as St George’s were dismissed for 105.

For a team with title aspirations the target looked pretty straightforward but the top order collapsed with five of the top six mustering just 18 between them The exception was young Drew Wrighton who made 23 and skipper Edward Seabury who was left high and dry on 32 not out as the innings finally folded to 104 all out.

They hope to get back on track at home to Fenns Bank in their next game. 

13 June vs Hodnet & Peplow Aston (Home) 

Lilleshall seconds continued their promotion charge in division 3 with a seven wicket win over Hodnet.

On another bowler friendly wicket at Lilleshall Will Askin – still making himself unavailable for first team selection – took 7-21 and Richard Harris 3-15 as the visitors were skittled for 57.  Lilleshall had some early scares but Drew Wrighton, promoted from the thirds, made 21 while Jon Steer carried his bat for 16 not out in a seven wicket win. 

30 May vs Wheaton Aston (Home) 

Lilleshall 2nd XI won their top of the table clash.

Lilleshall 2nds were at home to Wheaton Aston in Division 3 of the FBC Manby Bowdler League.  Lilleshall skipper Ed Seabury won the toss and elected to bowl first on a hot and sunny day.  The new ball was again given to Will Askin (4-23) and Andrew Potter (2-15) as they both got into their stride quickly and bowled a tight line giving the Wheaton Aston batsmen very little to hit.

Will Askin eventually made the break through after seven overs with a regulation catch for the wicket keeper then, next ball, the Wheaton Aston number 3 departed first ball thanks to a superb catch at first slip by Simon Drinkwater.

In the eighth over, Potter got in the action clean bowling the other opener and Wheaton Aston were in trouble at 8-3.  Potter then dismissed the dangerous Nathan Whittingham,  with Askin taking the team’s fifth wicket just before drinks; leaving Wheaton Aston struggling at 22-5 after fifteen overs.  Dave Bicknell came on for Askin and soon got amongst the wickets taking 2-16 off 6 overs. Skipper Ed Seabury then got in the act taking 1-17 off 2 overs.

Eventually Lilleshall bowled Wheaton Aston out for 88  which included 1 run given away by veteran wicket keeper Kelvin Price, who was too eager to take a delivery and took it in front of the stumps!!  Kelvin was seen speaking to his mentor on Sunday afternoon, (Mr Gerry Gladwell from Newport CC) and so we are hoping Mr Gladwell has put him right for next week.

The Lilleshall openers then set about the chase and finally Stu Lane (40) found some runs and along with Jon Steer and they put on 53 for the first wicket. Jon Steer did not last much longer and so it was left to Ian Dawes (6 not out) and Simon Drinkwater (17 not out) to see Lilleshall home in comfortable fashion.  J. Duncan from Wheaton Aston claimed both wkts and finished with 2-15.

Lilleshall travel to Whitchurch 3rd’s for their next encounter.

Result: Wheaton Aston - 88 all out; Lilleshall - 92 for 2

Another 21 points for Lilleshall

16 May vs Frankton (Home)  

Lilleshall 2nd XI won their 3rd game on the bounce in League 3 of the FBC Manby Bowdler League.

Lilleshall, having won the toss, elected to field and the in form opening bowling partnership of Andy Potter and Will Askin again dominated the batsmen of Frankton.  Only the opener D. Whitticase (10) managed double figures  for Frankton as Askin and Potter kept a tight line and wickets fell regularly for the opening attack.

Askin finished with 6 for 18 off 13 overs and Potter, asked by the skipper to bowl into the heavy wind, finished with 2 for 10 in 11 overs.  Alex Vasalonka and Rich Harris then took one each to eventually bowl Frankton out for 41 in just 30 overs.

With dark clouds amassing around Lilleshall, Frankton sportingly agreed to turn straight around to try and finish before rain ruined the day.  Stu Lane and Jon Steer opened for Lilleshall and Lane, for the second week running, failed to negotiate the first over and was caught 2nd ball for 4.  Alex Dyer, making his season debut, also only lasted two balls and Lilleshall were soon in trouble at 4-2.  Ian Dawes then  got run out after a mix up that put Lilleshall at 7-3.

Askin then came to the wicket and, after a quick fire 15, departed an over before tea.  After tea, Jon Steer (13) and Kelvin Price (2 not out) steered Lilleshall to within two runs before Steer was bowled.  Skipper, Ed Seabury then stayed calm to see Lilleshall to victory by 4 wkts.  Lilleshall gain 21 points from this victory which will keep them in the top two for another week.

Frankton 41 all out; Lilleshall  42 -6

 9 May vs Cound (Away) 

Lilleshall won the toss and decided to bowl first in a 40 over game.

An excellent opening bowling spell by Will Askin and Andy Potter kept the runs down and put the onus on the batting side to keep their wickets.  Excellent fielding by Jeffers led to the first wicket by a run out.  This was followed by an excellent bowling stint by Richard Harris who bowled impressively but only got one wicket for his effort.  However, Jeffers ’stepped up to the plate’, mixing up his pace and guile, to take an impressive five wickets for only three runs in an oustanding spell.

When chasing a total of 130, Lilleshall lost their  first wicket off the first ball, but a solid partnership between Drinky and Steero and then Askin and Steero; ably supported by Mr Leech saw the game home.

A well deserved win and 21 points for the Seconds

(match report courtesy of Ed Seabury)

An alternative account of the same event follows, courtesy of veteran, Pete Maltby: 

Captain Jock’s men completed their second victory of the season against a strong Cound batting line up. The Mercurial Seabury once again proved a top tosser, winning the toss and electing to bowl (after boring the opposing captain into submission for at least ten minutes).  With the Stig seemingly happy terrorising the local rabbit and rodent population, Lilleshall set about the task with Askin and the Pacey Potter opening up.

Lilleshall struggled early on with runs flowing until an excocet from  Jefferis at fine leg resulted in a run out.  Again, Lilleshall struggled to make any impact on a good batting track and a high Cound total looked likely. Askin dismissed the remaining opener with Rich Harris grabbing the vital wicket of J Williams. With this, Cound suffered a collapse mainly due to the swinging Jefferies who took five wickets for 3 runs in 5 overs. Askin bagged one more victim and was unlucky not have had more with slip expert Stu Lane being Nut Megged by an edge from Belsys bowling.

Jefferies wrapped up the innings thanks to a swift stumping from wicket keeping Maestro King Kella. Cound all out for 129

Lilleshall batsmen had been eyeing up the short boundary all afternoon and the opening slightly built pair of Drinkwater and Lane were hoping to pepper it. Sadly Lane was caught out by a Pottsyesque first ball full toss which he hit towards a very surprised and grateful fielder at square leg and the early shower was apparent.

Drinkwater and the dependable Steer steadied the ship with some fine shots until Drinkwater was dismissed on 19. Offensive batsman Price was the next to go for a duck falling prey to an unerringly straight delivery. Belsy then went on to bash his way to 52 before being bowled with several big wallops into the adjoining farmers fields. Steer was dismissed soon after for 28. With four runs required it looked like Leech and Jefferis would finish the Job, sadly Jefferies fell victim to another cunningly straight ball whilst trying to hit it into Shrewsbury Town centre.

It was left to Captain Jock to finely truffle the winning runs for a good win. All credit to Daweso for playing after getting back from Gateshead at two in the morning.