After an extremely eventful week for the LCC selection committee, the 4ths fielded a team which mixed experience, newcomers and another two debutants from our talented junior section.

Jagger started proceedings in positive fashion, winning the toss and electing to bat on a pitch that had produced over 400 runs in the 2nd XI fixture yesterday. The skipper opened the innings with aggressive U15 batsman Jacob Wood.

Unfortunately Wood would be the first to fall, offering a chance to short cover with the score on 9. Neil Wood met Jagger in the middle and the two started to up the ante with a range of fluent shots. Wood getting off the mark with an exquisite cut shot through cover point whilst Jagger punished anything short on both the off and leg side.

Jagger grew in confidence as he faced more of the Barkisland opening attack and was scoring at well over a run-a-ball with some excellent cut and pull shots. The score passed 50 when Jagger expertly lofted change bowler Drew over his head for a one-bounce four in the 10th over.

In response, Barkisland made changes and brought Crowther and Merry in to the attack who immediately slowed the run rate down. This led to Wood’s dismissal, bowled by Crowther for a well made 22 in a 2nd wicket partnership of 64.

Ted Stead joined Jagger and they moved the score past 100 whilst Jagger brought up a well deserved half-century. However, Crowther continued to be miserly and soon after drinks had Stead caught at extra-cover.

From this point, unfortunately wickets fell at regular intervals and from 100-3, the Villagers finished on 122 all out. Jagger was the 7th wicket to fall for a fine 68 off 81 balls including 13 boundaries. He was adjudged LBW off the bowling of impressive, young left arm spinner Edwards who finished with 3-7 off 3 overs whilst Crowther had the excellent stats of 2-6 off 5 overs.

Whilst the Villagers were disappointed with the overall total, there were still positives to be taken with debutant Declan Hampson scoring his first runs in a Lightcliffe shirt (a wonderful lofted drive over cover for 4) and the introduction of another 2 excellent young cricketers from our Junior Section with U13’s George Deighton and Harry Betts, pictured above, both getting their first taste of senior cricket.

Tea was taken and whilst the senior section of the team enjoyed a brew or two, the Juniors loosened up on the outfield (Whilst consuming Lucozade and Jelly Snakes!) hoping to make early inroads in to the Barkisland top order.

On resumption, Challis took the new ball from the Viaduct End with Ted Stead partnering him from the Wakefield Road End. Both started tidily without creating a breakthrough as Barkisland moved on to 24 without loss. However, fortunes were to change for the Villagers in the 6th over as Brennan dragged on to Stead for 14.

Buoyed by plenty of refreshments and advice from his Grandad whilst fielding at 3rd man (LCC 1st team record appearance maker Roger Stead), Stead bowled with excellent control, removing Taylor LBW 4 balls later and then clean bowling Edwards in his following over leaving Barkisland 33-3. Stead wasn’t able to add to his tally due to bowling restrictions but finished with the impressive figures of 3-14 from his 5 overs.

Challis was replaced by U13 left arm seamer Luca Mullaney, playing just his 2nd game at senior level. He was quickly in to a good rhythm with his brisk left arm seamers and was unlucky not to dismiss the Barkisland skipper Jagota in his 2nd over. Hampson replaced Stead bowling his off-spin from the top end.

The 4th wicket partnership had gained momentum and moved the score on to 55 in the 14th over as Barkisland looked to have wrestled back control of the game. However Hampson had other ideas, dismissing Sullivan (bowled) and Butterworth (LBW) in the space of 3 deliveries to swing the game back in Lightcliffe’s favour.

Thornber joined Jagota at the wicket and both looked to be positive against Hampson in-particular adding 28 additional runs until Luca claimed the much deserved scalp of Jagota - bowled with the score on 83.

Luca had also used his allocation of overs after taking his first wicket in an excellent spell (1-20 off 5 overs) and he and Hampson were replaced by father and son combination Neil and Freddie Wood. Both were extremely economical as the pressure built on Barkisland. Freddie, unfortunate not to take a wicket, bowled 3 tight overs for just 7 whilst Neil’s wiley off-spin - mixing flight and pace - took the 7th wicket of Merry with the score on 94.

Judging that spin was probably the best way to go on the used pitch, Jagger swapped Freddie for the tweakers of John Wood. This immediately paid dividends as John induced Crowther in to an expansive blow which took the top edge and presented a tricky, swirling chance to Mullaney who took it with ease at backward point. Barkisland still needed 18 runs to win with only 2 wickets remaining.

Sensing victory and inspired by constant encouragement from Neil and Jagger, the Villagers made the match defining breakthrough in the 28th over as the dangerous Thornber mistimed a lofted shot off John Wood straight in to the welcoming hands of Neil at mid-wicket for 29, which led to exuberant celebrations from the fielding side.

Neil followed up his game-changing snaffle by closing out the contest in the very next over. Drew given out LBW to a flighted, full delivery, leaving Barkisland 12 runs short, confirming the Villagers first victory of the season and igniting wild celebrations on the players balcony.

In all, it was an excellent game of cricket, played in a fantastic spirit and atmosphere with some brilliant young cricketing talent on show. (The Villagers fielding 7 players under the age of 15)

A special mention goes out to Barkisland scorer Phoenix for his assistance on the day as the Lightcliffe scorer was periodically called upon to serve drinks to Alex Tait and the Brighouse JFC members during their end of season celebration...!

Next up for the 4ths is Greetland 3rds at Till Carr Lane next Sunday.

Match Report from Alex Stead