In a tense finish on Sunday 11th May, Birkby manage to crawl over the line against the ten men of the hosts.

Young Skipper Mark Horne won the toss and elected to bat on another sun-drenched Sunday afternoon. Jack Anderson and uncle John were sent out to bat first up. Jack (13) took on the opening bowlers hitting 3 quick boundaries before he was caught out. The evergreen David Heath (4) took the total to 40 before he was also caught out.

Next in was the 4th team captain Bruce Lunn, who had decided earlier in the week he didn’t the fancy the travel to one of the coldest grounds in the UK, Stones CC. With the introduction of spin at both ends runs became hard to find, John was next to depart for 31.

Making his home LCC debut was John Potkins, who has recently transferred from Brighouse, and he looked solid with willow in hand again. Potkins (21) and Lunn (48) shared a stand of 45 before they both departed in quick succession and the score at 119-5 with 10 over remaining.

Veteran Mick Wood (12) was soon joined at the crease by the young keeper Mark Horne, The pair would add a quickfire partnership of 61 before Horne was bowled for 51. The innings was completed by all rounder Chris Terry (5 not out) and James Lunn (4 not out).

A respectable total of 194 was achieved.

Lightcliffe started well with Terry removing the opened with the score on just 9. Terry would also remove his opening partner and finished his 8 overs with 2-37.

Lightcliffe appeared to be on top when Hussain was removed by the spin of Jim Powe (1-27) to leave Birkby 75-4. A chanceless 99 run partnership between Raza and Ahmed pushed Birkby to with in 20 runs of victory.

With veteran Wood (2-33) returning to bowl and John Anderson (2-21) steaming in from the top end Lightcliffe reduced the visitors from 174-4 to 174-7. Another Anderson wicket left Birkby requiring 8 to win with 2 wickets remaining and the game was in the balance. However the Birkby number 10 had other ideas and quickly hit a 4 & a 6 to secure victory.

A great effort from the lads to almost snatch victory, ultimately a man down in the field proved to be costly.

Next up for the 3rd X1 in the cup is a trip to Shelf Northowram Hedge Top in a must win game to stand any chance of qualifying for the semi final.

Match Report by Mark Horne