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5th Jul 2009

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Twos up!
By Lloyd. - September 2 2008
Twos up! >

We're up! and deservedly so as we're at least the second best team in Division 3 this year. Grimsarghs loss to Hoghton meant 9 points were required to clinch promotion and a thriller at the FCG saw the 2nds elevated to the Palace Shield Division 2 for next season.

Saturday at the FCG was a strange one with New Longton the opposition. The track was wet and low cloud on a hot humid day meant the ball may swing a bit.

Bowling first, intent was shown very early as the fielding was sharp and the lethargy of last week at Withnell Fold was banished to the memory. Anto and me opened with the ball and had to battle to keep the swinging and seaming of the new cherry under control. The visiting batsmen didn't seem to take any notice of the conditions and wielded the bat as if they thought 250 would be needed to make a game of it. This approach saw 6 of them bowled by seaming deliveries as they played shots to balls that were no longer there. All charity was greatly appreciated by me as I collected 7 wickets on the day with Robin taking a good catch to dismiss the ever dangerous Ian Floyd. Don't think that's false modesty, I know I was good. Though I was probably getting carried away borrowing lines from the likes of Shane Warne and the great Andrew Furniss after one particular castling.

A couple of overs of left arm tweak from Keedo (yes Keith Moore bowled!! and well too!!!) and 3 overs of quality from Luke Williams kept the batsmen tied down and New Longton were dismissed for 77 with Jo Mac and Robin picking up one each caught in the slips by Boggy and Chris Williams. Wildman had kept calm to run out the number 10 bat as they committed suicide at the wicket. It had been a very good effort in the field with the only blemish being an inexplicable dropped dolly by Syko who had an otherwise superb day in the field.

Teas were taken and we agreed a more conservative approach than the opposition had taken to batting was needed. Dano and Keedo opened and cruised to 24 with patient batting, taking no risks. The sun was out and a convincing win seemed on the cards. Keith then lofted an off drive which looked to be safe enough until their mid off flew through the air to take a quite brilliant catch. 24 for 1 was no time to panic with a small total to chase. Boggy then came in and hit one boundary as the slowest of slow spin bowlers, Michael Birchall was employed from the Breck Road end to try and buy a wicket. He tempted John into a a shot which saw him caught behind.

The stage was set for the former club captain, Chris Williams. Carnage was expected as he strode to the middle with the young spin bowler operating. He carressed an on drive for 4 off Phil Winder and eventually was on strike to Birchall. Ellegant footwork and confidence saw him stride down the pitch and throw the bat with a flourish. He missed it and was stumped!

Syko added 1 before being bowled and when Dano dragged on for 20 after looking in good touch, we looked in trouble at 45 for 5. But surely, we would see a partnership established soon to take us over the line. Jo and Robin added 3 between them, both falling to Birchall and and Ant joined Hebbs in the middle. A few shots were played, Ant hitting 2 boundaries along the ground, as they began to get a grip on proceedings. But disaster struck as Gaz was adjudged LBW for 8 and 12 runs were still needed with only 2 wickets in hand. Luke and Ant pushed the ball around and with 5 needed for victory, Luke was presented with a high, slow full toss which he middled towards cow corner. It was a long boundary on that side and he was caught in the deep.

I was now at the crease with a bat in my hand. Ant, looking every inch the calm, senior bat played low risk shots and a couple of singles and a 2 meant scores were tied. Winder made me play at a good length ball on off stick. It passed the fielder at cover and we had limped to 78 for 9 and collected 10 points.Boring it certainly wasn't but as Graham was keen to point out, the pitch certainly couldn't be held totally responsible for the lack of runs.

The seasons objective of finishing in the top 2 has now been achieved and with 2 tough games to come, we can test ourselves with an eye on next year and hopefully chase down Penwortham in the race to be champions.