Langley lay successful siege at Cholmondelay castle

LANGLEY 1st XI travelled to Cholmondeley at the weekend and bounced back to form with a hard fought victory.

The hosts elected to bat on a good firm wicket and got off to a solid start Baker and Shone adding 37 before Baker 18 was caught and bowled by Betteridge. Nine runs later Turner had Shone (20) caught at slip, Ben Pearce and Robinson dug in and both were solid in defence and punished anything loose.

They added 93 runs in 25 overs until Malik had the latter stumped for a solid 26. Balac (0) was LBW second ball to the same bowler, Gardiner hit a fluent 16, but it was Pearce who stole the show with a stylish 101no.

Brown claimed two late wickets as Cholmondeley posted 196-6 off their 45 overs, Brown 2-11 off two overs, Malike 2-33 off seven overs, Turner 1-24 off seven overs, Betteridge 1-67 off 10 overs and the misely Frame 0-18 off 12 overs were the bowlers. A mention too for Gregory, who performed well in the field!

In reply, Malik and Brown added 36 in seven overs before Brown (1) was caught in the covers, Letven joined Malik and the pair both batted fluently.

They took the game away from the hosts pushing the score to 105 before Malik (62) was stumped.

Hobbs and Letven continued the good work, until Letven (40) edged to slip. Gregory, fresh from his heroics in the field, chipped in with nine before misjudging a straight ball with the score on 162-4.

Hobbs and the in-form Pattison added a brisk 23 at which point Langley had their usual wobble. Pattison (12) edged behind, Betteridge 0 was plumb LBW and Stevens (5) lofted to cover. It was left to Hobbs 60no to see Langley over the line in tense fashion as they reached 199-7 in 40 overs, Ben Pearce completing a fine day with 3-23.

A great win for Langley, who stand in joint fourth at the halfway stage of the season. It was a fine match played in a sporting manner, the only down point is that it’s 12 more months before Langley return to the grounds of Cholmondeley castle.

Langley 1st XI also progressed to the quarter finals of the 20/20 cup.

Hosts Alderley Park, put Langley in and they hit 150-7 off their 20 overs, Chris Pattison with a superb 78. The under strength home side were reduced to 81-8, skipper David Frame pick of the attack with 2-7. Langley travel to Lindow in the next round