Positives aplenty in Langley’s opening loss
LANGLEY’S season got off to a disappointing start at the weekend when they were beaten by a hard-hitting Stretton side.
Skipper Frame won the toss and elected to bat on a very firm deck, with two players arriving minutes before the scheduled start.
Aussie import Pat Horgan opened up and got off to the worse possible start when he was bowled first ball of the game. Sunny Malik joined David Gregory and immediately showed attacking intent, hitting three boundaries in what was an eventful first over of the game.
The duo played in contrasting style – Gregory showed his usual doggedness and Malik continued to attack.
Malik posted his half century in the 10th over with the score on 56 and the pair took the score to 98 from 16 overs at which point Malik was caught at midwicket for 79 off just 56 balls.
Taimoor Malik and Gregory ensured there was to be no collapse and, in the face of some tight bowling, found runs hard to come by. They added 59 in 18 overs before Malik, 30, was caught behind.
With 10 overs remaining Langley had a wobble as Adam Cartwright (2) was LBW, an exhausted Gregory (35) was bowled – a fine effort from the popular veteran who faced 125 balls – and Brown (6) was stumped with the score on 180-6.
Debutant David Cowen (21no) and Nadin (5no) took Langley to 202-6 off their 45 overs, a total which the team were happy with but, given the superb start, was probably 30 runs short.
After a superb tea by Mrs Frame, Langley headed out into the field and got off to a fantastic start when Turner bowled Bihal (0) third ball of the innings.
This, however, proved to be the last success for some time as Malik and Ashraf attacked the bowling. The former was particularly severe as he plundered 77 off just 58 balls, before Berzins had him stumped with the score on 113 in just the 17th over.
With only 90 needed in 28 overs, Langley faced an uphill struggle.
Suleman joined Ashraf, pushing the score to 136, Ahraf (37) was then bowled by Alex Berzins.
Turner then returned and had Saleem (12) caught at mid on by Brown and Zubari (9) caught at mid off by Berzins.
Taimoor Malik then had Nabeel (4) caught at slip, Brown ran out Kumar (4) but Suleman (37no) ensured the visitors reached 205-7 in just 36 overs.
The bowlers toiled away on a flat track with Turner 3-65 off 10 overs, Berzins 2-41 off 8, Taimoor Malike 1-22 off 6 overs, Cowen 0-22 off 5 overs and Frame 0-27 off 6 overs.
Skipper Frame was upbeat after the game.
“I felt we were 30 short, however given the fragility of out batting last year, 202 was a competitive score and I was confident we could win the game,” he said. “Credit to their top three, they hit the ball very hard and gave them a solid platform. There were lots of positives with Sunny batting superbly, Taimoor looked in good form to, Gregory did a great job to, I wish I had sent DC in slightly earlier.
“The bowlers toiled away and didn’t bowl badly, Paddy Turner showed a good attitude and came back well, Berzins has netted well all winter and bowled well to. We travel to Ladybridge next week and need to build on this display.”
THE first game of the season played at Clarke Lane between two of last seasons promotion contenders was of mixed fortunes for the Kerridge team. Played in lovely conditions it was Heaton Mersey Village who, having conceded the toss, batted first and in the allotted overs made a creditable 177-9 with V Jowery (36) top scoring, spinner Alex Grimes featuring well with 5/33 and also an assist in a run out.
After tea the home side batted but struggled somewhat against M Gul (3/29) and R Graham (3/31) and in the end just about stayed afloat thanks to good knocks from Ste Regan (37) John Grayston (31) and man of the match Grimes with 20 not out keeping the visitors at bay to the end.
This weekend Kerridge travel to Styal for another derby, commencing at