Second XI 2010

Vs Bishop Castle (Home) 26/6/10

Lilleshall 2nd XI also had a bad day after winning the toss, they found themselves on the wrong side of a heavy defeat to Bishop Castle 1st XI.

Asking the visitors to bat first, Lilleshall made a good start with Steve Pedley (2-32) who took two early wickets. The away side fought back well though with Richard Plant (44) and Richard Fifield (56) putting on a healthy partnership. They were both finally undone by Steve Evans (2-21), but some late runs from Mark Griffiths (26*) helped his side reach 208-7 from their 45 overs.

The momentum was with Bishops Castle and this continued into the second half as early wickets fell thanks to some excellent bowling from Simon Palmer (5-36). He ripped through the top order picking up five wickets; the only resistance for the home side came from Pedley who top scored with 28. Stephen Morris (2-7) chipped in with two wickets as Lilleshall crumbled to 81 all out.

This is a big blow to their promotion hopes as they continue to lose more ground on the top two. Next week they have a tricky fixture away to Pontesbury where they look to get back to winning ways.

Vs Worfield (Away) 19/6/10

Despite an impressive batting display, Lilleshall 2nd XI lose to fellow promotion contenders Worfield 2nd XI by eight wickets.

After being asked to bat first, Lilleshall started well with Dave Marshall (44) and Steve Pedley (58) who put on a hundred for the first wicket. They set the innings up for a big total, but the only other noticeable contribution came from Stu Lane (21). Some good bowling from David Curtis (3-51) and William Cook (3-25) helped restrict the visitors, who despite some late runs from Greg Munslow (14) and Andrew Potter (11), ended all out for 221. This may have been disappointing after the start they had, but it could have been worst if it wasn’t for the 50 extras given away by the home side.

Lilleshall got an early wicket from Potter (1-43), but that was the only success the visitors had. Oliver Plank (78) and Piers Rouwenhorst (82*) put on a 135 run partnership for the second wicket when Plank fell to Munslow (1-17) with the score on 169. Any slim chances of Lilleshall producing a shock victory were dashed by Tom Matthews (41*) who hit the winning runs with still 11 overs remaining.

Next week Lilleshall entertain Bishops Castle were they aim to get back into the top two of Division Two.

Vs Tibberton (Away) 12/6/10

Lilleshall 2nd XI move back into the top two of Division Two with an 18 run victory at local rivals Tibberton 1st XI.

Lilleshall were asked to bat first and found it difficult early on due to the bowling of Ashley Cartwright (3-43) who picked up three wickets at the start of the innings. It was only Jon Steer who got use to the home sides attack and his knock of 59 laid the foundations for the rest of the team. Despite a fightback from the Tibberton bowlers, Richard Harris (31*) made sure Lilleshall set a competitive total as they finished their 40 overs on 180.

The Tibberton reply started well, but when Mike Jenkins (19) was bowled by Andrew Potter (1-25) wickets continued to fall at a quick rate. Simon Millington (3-43) picked up three wickets for the visitors. It wasn’t until Matt Pooler (34) joined Rob Withers (41) that Tibberton started to fight back and they looked set to reach the total. But three wickets from Richard Harris (3-19) cut the home side down. Resistance still remained from Sachin Ghorpade (19*), but this was all in vein as Lilleshall finally wrapped up the game in the 38th over giving themselves another away win.

Next week Lilleshall are away again as they face fellow promotion hopefuls Worfield.

Vs Willey (Home) 5/6/10

Lilleshall 2nd XI move back into the top two of Division Two with a comfortable eight wicket victory against Willey 1st XI.

Willey won the toss and decided to bat first on what looked like a very good batting wicket, but hopes of a big total were dashed from the start. Early wickets from Andrew Potter (2-26) and Steve Bate (3-19) ripped through the visitor’s top order leaving them in serious trouble. Runs came very slowly with Adam Green top scoring with only 20 runs. Wickets from Greg Munslow (1-30), Rob Bagshaw (1-3) and Richard Harris (2-15) left the away side struggling and they finished their innings on 107-9.

This total was never going to be enough and openers Simon Bushell (37) and John Steer (47) made sure that Lilleshall made short work of chasing it down. Their partnership was worth over 50 and chasing 107, this was a game winning partnership. Despite some good bowling from Adam Green (1-11), the home side reached the total in the 31st over for the loss of two wickets, securing a comfortable win and moving themselves back into the promotion places.

Next week Lilleshall take the short trip to face Tibberton 1st XI where they hope to fully establish themselves as a top two team.

Vs Cae Glas (Away) 29/5/10

Lilleshall 2nd XI loose ground on the Division Two league leaders with a heavy losing draw against Cae Glas 1st XI on a rain affected day.

Winning the toss, Lilleshall decided to bowl first and they were awarded with an early wicket from Andrew Potter (1- 28). But the visitors got bogged down by two good innings from Andy Griffiths (36) and Tim Turner (34*) who had to retire hurt. It was the introduction of Martin Jeffries (4-37) that pegged back the Cae Glas batsman, but an unbeaten 35 from Ian Holgate helped his side reach 150-5 of their 40 overs.

The Lilleshall reply never really got started as accurate bowling by Tom Gardner and Keith Yapp (3-29) prevented the visitors from gaining any momentum. Wickets continued to fall with little resistance thanks to the bowling of Gareth Edgerton (2-13) and the home side looked set for victory. But an unbeaten 40 from Rob Bagshaw ensured Lilleshall gained two draw points as they ended on 114-7.

Next week the 2nd XI entertains Willey 1st XI with the chance to bounce back and get themselves back into the top two.

Vs Knockin & Kinnerley (Home) 22/5/10

Lilleshall 2nd XI ran out of steam in the heat losing to Knockin & Kinnerley 1st XI by eight wickets, knocking the home team off the top of Division Two.

After being asked to bat first, Lilleshall started poorly losing quick wickets which put themselves into some early trouble. Only opener Jon Steer (20) was able to keep his wicket and score freely. Tim Cotton (5-33) was the pick of the Knockin bowlers as he picked up five wickets from his nine overs. But Richard Harris (26) and Rob Bagshaw (14) made sure the home side reached a competitive total of 125.

The Knockin reply started well with Paul Higginson (40*) taking fancy to the Lilleshall attack. But some tidy bowling from Steve Pedley (1-7), only conceding seven runs from his six overs, restricted the visitors early on. But 125 was never going to be enough and the introduction of Steve Gray (69), whose innings included 15 boundaries, allowed his side to cruise to victory in the 21st over with the lost of just two wickets.

Next week Lilleshall look for an improved performance as they go to Cae Glas hoping to get themselves back to the top of the league.

Vs Church Stretton (Away) 15/5/10

Lilleshall 2nd XI now sit top of FBC Manby Bowdler Division Two with another impressive victory against Church Stretton 1st XI.

Being made to bat first, Jon Steer (22) made a good start but had little support around him. It was left to Captain Edward Seabury (44*) to help build a total and he was later joined by Richard Harris (39) which helped them finish on 139 from their 40 overs. A. Dixon bowled well throughout picking up five wickets for all his hard work.

But the story of this game was again another superb bowling performance by Lilleshall with Harris being the pick of the bowlers. Steve Bate and Seabury both picked up one wicket with Saif Khalid (21) the only real contributor for the home team. Greg Munslow produced an excellent spell of bowling taking three wickets, but his performance was out-done by man of the match Harris who finished with figures of 5-29 from 12 overs. Church Stretton were all out for 77 leaving Lilleshall with 24 valuable points.Next week Lilleshall entertain Knockin & Kinnerley 1st XI where they aim to extend their winning streak. Lilleshall 24 points

Vs Whittington (Home) 8/5/10

Lilleshall 2nd XI bounced back from last weeks defeat with a dominant victory against Whittington 1st XI.

After being forced to bat first, early wickets fell for the home side, but an excellent partnership between Simon Bushell (24) and Stu Lane (12) worth 30 helped steady the ship. Some good bowling from Matt Williams (2-17) pegged back the Lilleshall reply, but some excellent timing by Greg Rushton (29) ensured this didn’t affect them too much. Another partnership formed between Martin Jeffries (21) and Edward Seabury worth 39 which meant they finished on 134 from their 35 overs.

The Lilleshall opening bowlers quickly ripped through the Whittington batting line-up. Steve Pedley took three wickets for just 13 runs in his opening spell, but he was out done by Steve bate who took figures of 4-11 from 12 overs. This left the visitors struggling to put any sort of total on the board as only Neil Dermody (15*) reached double figures. A wicket each for Greg Munslow and Seabury saw of the tail bowling Whittington out for just 46.The fielding was excellent throughout, with a run out for Bate, and everybody was fully committed. Next week the 2nd XI will travel to Church Stretton and will be hoping for another impressive performance. Lilleshall 24 points.

Vs Market Drayton (Away) 1/5/10

Newly promoted Lilleshall 2nd XI made a disappointing start to life in Division Two of Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League with a defeat against Market Drayton 1st XI.

Market Drayton started confidently and were 98 for 1 after 20 overs, with Steve Pedley the pick of the early bowlers taking a wicket in his 5th over. However, Drayton’s opener Upton was scoring well with the assistance of Evans 21 and Wellings 22 put their side in control of the game.

But the introduction of Martin Jeffries, Richard Harris and Edward Seabury, Lilleshall managed to decrease the flow of runs and eventually dismiss Upton for a well crafted 65. Market Drayton had freedom to increase the run rate later on in the innings and finished on 178 for 8.

When Lilleshall batted after the tea-break, they struggled against the opening bowlers of Allen and Heffernan, and were 55 for 5 after 20 overs. Further wickets continued to fall and Lilleshall were all out for 84 in the 33rd over. Without the stubbornness of Jon Steer 19 and well timed shots of new player Greg Rushton 31, Lilleshall may have finished their innings much earlier.

Lilleshall need to forget this game, but also learn quickly from their mistakes to be able to contribute in this much tougher league. They entertain Whittington 1st XI next week. Market Drayton 24 points, Lilleshall 5 points