Nestled high above Leeds City Centre, in the baking hot sun Andy Walker, stand-in captain, tussled with his own thoughts and team over what was best to do at the toss on what seemed a good deck.

After a strong warm up with some excellent showing of batting bowling and fielding, Andy ventured to the middle to write our afternoon.

Heads was the call, Tails it was. Hunslet Nelson won the toss and had no clue what to do. You can have a bat they said! Walker, almost thanking them for opting to sit in the 23 degree heat for 50 overs.

In the absence of Zani Stead, Jordan Laban opened the batting with Niall Lockley, and both set the tone from ball one with some positive intent and masterful striking on the up from Laban.

At 9 overs, Lightcliffe CC sat comfortably on 98 - 0. With the heads of Hunslet Nelson drooped, LCC had swiftly taken the advantage. The fall of Lockley came shortly after for a well played 62 off the bowling of Thewlis, whilst Laban sat nicely on 30*. Rajat Day joined Laban and calmed the nerves with some solid defensive work but again fell to Thewlis who was seemingly finding his line.

Rhys Jowett joined Laban at the crease and played some excellent sweeps, cuts and drives moving quickly to 11 before being trapped plum LBW by Thewlis giving him 3 wickets leaving Lightcliffe 131 - 3.

Yousuf Malik joined Laban and they again calmed the nerves putting together a useful partnership of around 30 bringing LCC up to 163-5 when Laban was judged to have been run out with a direct hit.

Brief antics on the sidelines meant Andrew Walker had to enter the octagon and speak with the umpires to calm the situation down.

Jordan Pickles played a superb middle order role securing some balance and pace of the scoreboard easing his way to 41 not out as wickets fell around him. A vital innings in the middle order taking us to a total of 235 all out, in 45.5 overs.

After an enjoyable lunchtime spread by the Nelly tea staff, the umpires shouted time and we ventured out.

Andy Walker & Redford Holdsworth showed why we have the best opening attack in the league with Holdsworth holding Nelson to 41-4 with all 4 wickets falling on the last ball of every over - perfect lines, lengths and control off the ball resulting in richly deserved wickets.

Walker playing the perfect supporting role with his ever perfect shape and control.

A brief flurry of runs saw Nelson enter into the 60s but as Rajat Day came onto bowl things changed again in the favour of the Gypsy Lane visitors - his unplayable in swingers proving too much for the middle order the home team.

A well played 68 from Thewlis was about the only performance to write home about from the home team batsmen, as Rajat Dey finished with 5-35 - which just happens to be his third 5 for in a row.

Joined nicely by Redford Holdsworth with 4-37 off 9 and Mohammaed Jamal with 1-20.

3 wins in 3 for the villagers.

Long may that continue.

Match Report by Niall Lockley