1st XI v Formby at Rake Lane Saturday 30 April
Love Lane L&DCC ECB Premier Division
Skipper Adam Neal won the toss and elected to put Formby in to bat.
Opening the bowling from the Road end was Louis Botes and from the Pavilion end Mark Hale. Both bowled with skill and control, but it was Botes who does have a knack for swinging both ways, who managed to find the edge of Calum Turner for three.
In came Ian Cockbain Jnr, and what proceeded to happen can only be described as an absolute onslaught. Luckily for Cockbain, he was not playing on a first-class ground otherwise Seb Botes would have had him out four times.
Cockbain proceeded to destroy the NBCC attack and finished on 162* off 139 balls, with seven huge sixes. It was a fantastic batting spectacle, despite the odd few missed chances.
Formby posted 260-3 off 51 with a wicket each for Louis Botes, Seb Botes, and Dave While. Onto the chase and it was a solid start from Seb Botes and Owais Shah, taking New Brighton to to 78 with a beautiful array of shots around the ground, keeping scorer Josh Eastwood busy on his wagon wheel!
All the other batsmen proceeded to chip in without going big, with David While (19), Daniel Cooke (17), Louis Botes (15) and Oliver Griffiths (11.) However, the most important partnership was former skipper Matty Thompson (45) and Alex Watkins (25).
Alex Watkins had a moment of madness and ran out Matty Thompson with a crazy single, 254-8, following by padding up to a straight ball, 254-9 … which led to a moment of panic in the NBCC changing room.
Mark and Adam Neal both arrived at the crease with two balls remaining, Mark Hale drives to mid-on and the single is taken, despite Adam Neal being ankle tapped by the opposing keeper taking a heroic tumble, cueing the manic celebrations from players and spectators.
NBCC chased 260, nine down, with two balls remaining, without a single batsman scoring a 50 – one of the greatest chases in NBCC history!
It was a great statement to the league from the NBCC boys, who will need to remain focused for their upcoming fixtures against Orrell Red Triangle, Newton le Willows and Southport & Birkdale in the coming weeks.
Finally, credit to Formby for the way they played the game and the spirit shown throughout the day – a great advert for LDCC cricket.
1st XI v Longridge at Newsham Memorial Cricket Ground Sunday 1 May
Royal London Club Championship, Group 6, Preliminary Round
After a rain delay eventually the umpires allowed for some cricketing action Adam Neal and Seb Botes opened the batting.
After a boundary from Adam Neal, he was dismissed and this began a disastrous day for New Brighton as the side was later dismissed for a measly 95.
Louis Botes and Seb Botes opened the bowling and after a tidy first few overs, chaos ensued with flashbacks from Cockbain still being ever-present in their minds, as J Whitehead hit some lovely strokes, immediately putting Longridge on top.
After the Botes boys were blasted out the attack, the Griffiths boys Oliver and Elliot came on their fortunes and followed a similar fate with Whitehead and Rutland blasting boundaries making easy work of the New Brighton total.
New Brighton did finish on a high however with Tom Anders dismissing Whitehead with the first ball of his spell of two balls, deceiving him with an inswinger.
2nd XI v Firwood Bootle at Wadham Road Saturday 30 April
Love Lane L&DCC, 2nd XI First Division
The 2nd XI turned up to Bootle full of spirit after their first league 25 points the week before. Confident, wanting to lose the toss with being happy to bat or bowl first, of course New Brighton won the toss and decided to bowl and chase.
Andy Evans and Sam Cureton opened up the attack. Andy Evans bowled an excellent opening spell running through 10 overs. Sam Cureton bowling well – his usual fashion set the scene for New Brighton.
Elliot Griffiths replaced Sam and he was close to being replaced after his first over. He was all over the place but he stayed on and his next eight overs were faultless.
There was a great spell of bowling in the middle overs. Elliot Griffiths shook up the worrying partnership of Liam Griffiths and Bootle’s finest Tom Meskell, by bowling Meskell.
Tom Anders came on and cleaned up the tail with a good burst of six overs, Bootle finishing 151 all out.
Andrew Evans 18.5 5 42 4
Sam Cureton 11 2 38 1
Elliot Griffiths 9 0 33 1
Thomas Anders 6 0 28 3
Tom Horrocks and Luke Terry opened the batting. The first ball of the innings was something that has never been seen before. Tom Horrocks foor runs off his legs. Unfortunately, Tom carried on in an unusual fashion and got out fourth ball in.
Luke Terry steadied the ship throughout the whole innings and was the knock that was needed to bring New Brighton home.
Luke finished on 84. A special mention goes to Charlie Smith who finished the game off with Luke putting on an 80 unbroken fifth partnership and Charlie finishing on 29 (dropped three times, though.)
New Brighton won by 6 wickets. This is a big 20 points in the league promotion charge, and New Brighton go again Saturday.
3rd XI v Sefton Park 3rd XI at Upton Road (Wayfarers)
Saturday 30 April Love Lane L&DCC 3rd XI (Saturday) Premier Division
The day started off as the 3rd XI took on Sefton Park at Wayfarers, everyone rocked up very hopeful that New Brighton could bring home the win.
As the game started New Brighton got off to a really good start by getting one of their openers out early. It is safe to say this was a mistake as this brought their number 3 to the crease who put the ball to all parts in scoring an unbeaten 102.
Sefton Park posted 262 for eight (Andy McWilliam 4-40). New Brighton got off to a really good start and performed really well in the game.
Wickets fell regularly and, after some lusty blows, Ben Ellis with 50, New Brighton were well beaten with the 3s being 132 all out.
This Weekends Fixtures:
1st XI away to Orrell Red Triangle 1200 start @ Orrell RT
2nd XI home to Old Xavarians 1245 start @ Rake Lane
3rd XI home to Birkenhead Park 3s 1245 start @ Wayfarers
Sun XI home to Liverpool Sun XI 1400 start @ Rake Lane
Image: michael weir
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