Lightcliffe back to earth afterstunning '20s'
AFTER a famous Twenty/20 win over Division One Cleckheaton, the firsts came back down to earth on Saturday with a nine wicket defeat against Bankfoot.
A combination of fine fielding, accurate bowling and brutal batting were the key to Lightcliffe CC's Twenty/20 win over top flight opposition.
On a sun kissed evening every Lightcliffe player wore the shirt with pride to record a famous win in front of a packed crowd, swelled by the added excitement of a Yorkshire Cup crown green bowls match taking place on the adjoining green.
Cleckheaton were restricted to 154 all out thanks to fine seam and spin bowling, in particular from the guile of Tom Powe who made a welcome return to form with four fine overs. James Horne also picked up a couple of wickets with some well flighted spinners.
The Lightcliffe reply got off to a flyer with Tahir Khan and Simon Black looking in good nick. Their opening partnership set the foundation for the innings.
With less than one a ball needed they were coasting. However, panic spread through the team with the winning post in sight.
Jocky Wilson (30), Khan (54), Black (36), Rick Powe and James Horne all fell looking to strike one on to the M62.
With seven needed from three overs it was left to the calm head of Mark Horne to guide the Wakefield Roaders home and spark wild celebrations. The only downer on a night of glory was a worrying injury to in-form skipper Richard Nichols. He was waiting for results on an x-ray to a leg injury.
After the game Wilson said: "Brilliant, loved every minute of it.
"We made it hard work but it was a good all round team display and we are now back in the mix in our group."
l On Saturday against Bankfoot, Lightcliffe were given first use of another good Rod Heyhoe wicket which had survived the overnight downpour.
With in-form skipper Nichols out injured – and possibly out for six weeks – Michael Brooke opened up with Umar Salim.
After a steady start, the departure of both the openers along with run out victims Tahir Khan and James Horne, Lightcliffe were left with an uphill task to post a decent total. However, a fine knock by Wilson sprinkled with attacking menace and defensive prods provided the platform for a useful total. The vice captain ended on a impressive 76 not out.
There was another useful late contribution by Horne.
The Lightcliffe bowling never really got in a rhythm. Simon Black – watched by a posse of relatives from down under – found some bounce and swing but was without luck. Dan Keighley toiled away in the late evening sunshine but went without reward. Adil Ladak found some lift and movement but couldn't remove the imposing figure of 'The General', Simon Curry.
Joe Duffy was unlucky to see one go down at slip. The only success was for Ladak, cleaning up Warmsley.
Much credit should go to Heyhoe and his hard working team for ensuring a prompt start. The injured Nichols was a big loss to the team from a batting, bowling, fielding and maybe even tactical point of view.
After the game Simon Black said: “It was great to see my parents and other relatives at the game. Just a shame I couldn’t put on a show for them. We made up for it in the Sun Inn though, with the beers and banter flowing long into the night.
“We are hoping to get over this defeat at Undercliffe on Saturday. I’m enjoying my time at LCC and looking forward to a good second half to the campaign.”
l LIGHTCLIFFE Seconds made it eight wins from nine with an emphatic victory by 85 runs over Bankfoot in the JCT600 Bradford League Second Teams Division Two.
Prospects of play looked slim after heavy overnight rain on to an uncovered pitch and the home side’s demeanour did not suggest an appetite for a prompt start. However, no further rain and a drying wind meant the game got away at 3pm with 35 overs per side scheduled.
Lightcliffe were put into bat and the wet conditions made it tricky early on. Despite some watchful play and a few enterprising shots the total was just 49 in the 15th over with the top three batsmen dismissed. David Knight, on his second team debut after transfer from the York League, then began to punish anything wayward and notched three sixes in a rapid 26 which started to turn the game. However when Knight and the pugnacious Rick Powe (16) were dismissed the Villagers were still in some difficulty on 80 for five. Sensing this Gareth Stevens and Amir Yaqub played sensibly picking up 30 of the next 10 overs before hammering 70 off the last seven. Yaqub smashed four sixes in his 51 whilst Stevens’ placement and timing brought him an unbeaten 41 to leave the total on 181 for six.
With the pitch still not easy for the batsmen, Bankfoot were never seriously in the hunt. Young opening pair Evan Edwards and James Godden picked up a wicket apiece in their first spells but it was the ‘silver fox’, Roger Stead, who made best use of the conditions.
Bowling as ever with great control he claimed six Bankfoot scalps for just 30 runs in 11 overs and was ably supported by Tom Powe from the other end. With Edwards coming back to collect two more and finish with three for 23 the home side succumbed for just 96 in the 34th over.
“We batted with real skill on a difficult surface,” said vice captain Rob Crookes, “and set a terrific target. Our bowlers finished the job well and we looked a good unit all round.”
Lightcliffe remain 13 points clear at the head of the table approaching the half way stage and will be planning on consolidating this position at home to Gomersal on Saturday.
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Weather for Halifax
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 3 C
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Wind direction: South west
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