Cropston tailenders perform heroics to secure draw

SATURDAY saw top of the table Langtons the vsitors to Cropston’s Keith Jackson Memorial Ground, captain for the day Joe Pollard lost the toss and Langtons elected to bat.

Langton’s opener the free scoring Sarfraj Patel was caught at mid wicket for 12 by Justin Earl from the bowling of Tom Palmer for 12, fellow opener A Bangar was caught at the wicket by Max Lewin from the bowling of Alfie Loakes, reducing Langtons to 32-2.

Coming in at number 4 S Salajee held the innings together taking toll of the Cropston attack. After 25 overs the Langtons score stood at 125 for the loss of 3 wickets and a large total looked to be looming for Cropston.

Joe Pollard then turned to spin from both ends with Ethan Hawkins from the houses end and Dan Hickinbottom from the field end and this had immediate effect when Hawkins trapped Salajee L.B.W. for a well struck 63.

Bowling in tandem Hawkins and Hickinbottom slowed the scoring rate and wickets began to fall. From their 45 overs Langtons posted a score of 222 for the loss of 9 wickets as Hawkins returned figures of 5-35.

A new opening pair for Cropston, Steven Punchard and Ethan Hawkins, made steady progress and put on 70 in 16 overs, before Hawkins was dismissed for 36 and Punchard for 39. A steady decline followed with six Cropston players getting into double figures but failing to go on to higher scores.

The Cropston innings closed on 192 for the loss of 9 wickets with Saga Pandya yet again saving the day remaining 14 not out. For Langtons, Sarfraj Patel returned figures of 5-49.

A 12 point losing draw for Cropston who were without three key players keeps them ticking over at the turn around of the season.