Match Report by Jeff Morley

LCC won the toss and asked Methley to bat on a green but dry wicket with returning veteran Horne J hoping for some swinging later on.

Opening bowlers Stark and Burton applied early consistent line and length with Burton dismissing No2 to a good legside catch by Horne M.

As the ground dried Methley reached 50 from 10 overs with Nos 1and 3 playing some elegant strokes.

Burton introduced Horne J and in his second over Walker took an excellent high skied catch at mid-off. Drinks followed soon afterwards and Methley were in good shape at 105-2.

The spin twins were deployed after drinks and on “Nelson” a splendid piece of agility from Arnot ran out the No1 for 44 off the bowling of Walker with the score on 111.

Then followed an amazing spell of bowling from Walker where he snared the next 5 wickets, ably supported by a wicketless but unlucky Arnot.

First of the five saw Jowett sprint in from long-off to take a low left-handed catch, 127-4. In the same over Walker produced a fizzing delivery to bowl the No 7 for a duck.

His third saw Horne J take a high catch at shortish long-on however the Methley No 4 continued to look dangerous as he reached his 50 with 13 overs remaining.

Eventually though Walker enticed him to play over the fielding ring and Arnot took the catch at mid-off. No 9 departed in the same over, clean bowled to give Walker another 5-for as the score reached 158-8.

Numbers 9 and 10 then pressed the accelerator and with six overs left had reached 178-8. As Stark returned some heavy hitting took the home team to 209 before Stark cleaned up No 10 with a straight delivery.

The last over saw a flurry of near chances as Walker sought to get his sixth wicket and the final bonus point but Methley hung on to reach 215-9 from their 50 overs, possibly 20 runs more than looked likely 30 minutes earlier.

At the tea interval Mr and Mrs Drillers were seen chatting to the President about the quality of the clubhouse pizzas but both declined purchases as to not spoil their evening meal.

Brooke and Morley opened for LCC but Brooke was out early on as he edged a good ball low to second slip.

Jowett came in at number 3 and playing his usual brand of cuts and pulls took the score to 43-1 before light drizzle halted play at 1620 and the covers came on.

After a lengthy break play resumed at 1810 with LCC having a reduced target to chase of 118 from the remaining 20 overs.

2nd over after the restart though Jowett was bowled for 30 leaving LCC on 49-2. Arnot joined Morley and between them moved to 81 before Arnot was bowled for 15.

Leach came in at No 5 at 1845 and unfortunately was run out without facing a ball; Walker came it at No6 and in the same over drilled it to extra cover.

Keifer at No7 was lucky to be not timed out after the mini collapse of 3 wickets for 2 runs. He steadied the ship to reach 8 but was another batter to be bowled on the skiddy wicket with the score on 103.

Skipper Burton strode in with still 58 needed. After a cameo of 9 he holed out to long-on with 38 still needed. Horne J came in at 9 and rotated the strike to keep the board ticking over.

Morley reached 50 with a four to fine leg and with 3 overs left LCC needed 19 runs which then became 11 from 2.

As the drizzle and gloom descended, singles were taken to mean that LCC needed 6 from last over. Horne took a two, then a dot, and a one. Morley facing the last 3 balls nailed a four to finish on 67 not out and Horne on 11. LCC taking a victory in the dark at 1940!