Langley up to third after Chester win

LANGLEY CCs first team made the long trip to Chester County Offices at the weekend and after a hard fought tussle against a good side came away with maximum points.

Skipper David Frame elected to bowl on another great deck, a decision which seemed to have backfired as Sunny Malik (0) was caught at fine leg and Pat Hogan (0) was caught at third man with only two runs on the board.

Dave Gregory and Rick Hughes steadied the ship taking the score to 26 before Gregory (6) was adjudged to have gloved to the keeper and Hughes (12) was bowled, Langley wobbling to 28-4.

Olly Wheelton and Adnan Ghazanfar then rallied to lead a stirring fightback.

In the face of some good bowling they mixed aggression and defence, the pair adding 98 in 16 overs before Ghazanfar was well caught at deep mid on for 59.

Matt Betteridge joined Wheelton and continued the fightback.

The score reached 156 when Wheelton was caught and bowled for a superb 71 off just 72 ball, a fantastic effort from the 17-year-old.

Dave Cowen and Betteridge then added a crucial 50 runs in just seven overs.

With the score on 206, Cowen (26) was stumped.

The tail tried to wag but credit to the Chester attack who hit back. Betteridge (29) was also stumped, Alex Berzins (0) and Edd Johnson (0) were both bowled, leaving Frame 5no as Langley posted 222 all out.

In reply, Berzins struck early as Dodd (8) chipped to mid off.

Chester then took control as Downham (59) and Hickey (36) punished anything loose, adding 91 in 15 overs before Malik bowled both in consecutive overs.

Chester never seemed to recover from this setback as Malik had Flanagan (0) caught behind and then bowled Rule (19), Frame then trapped Birchall (5) LBW and bowled Green (15).

Malik then had Advirker (5) well caught by Frame at mid on as Chester struggled to 149-8.

It was left to the opening bowlers to claim the final two wickets as Berzins had Beacham (8) caught at point and Betteridge bowled Barlow (20) as Chester were all out for 183.

Malik was the stand out bowler, taking 5-54 off 12 overs, backed up by Frame 2-37 off 10 overs, Berzins 2-45 off 9 overs and Betteridge 1-47 off 7 overs.

Langley climb up to third place, 20 points behind leaders Maritime and five off Stretton.

Skipper Frame was in a jubilant mood.

“We had four players missing from last week, but the lads who came in did well,” he said. “Olly Wheelton’s innings was superb, I never saw that coming, he showed what a great timer of the all he is, at 28-4 we were in deep trouble, Adnan, DC and Betters all chipped in to, what a great 6,7 and 8 to have.

“I knew they would have to bat well to chase that score and 100-1 they were on top, Sunny bowled a great spell and turned the game.

“We have a good team spirit and must believe in ourselves, if we do we can surprise a few people.”

Langley travel to Wistaston next Saturday.

Langley 2nd XI under the leadership of Tim Moore narrowly lost at home to Winsford, Langley posted 186-4, the evergreen Rick Laughton hit 53, Dave Letven 33no, Winsford reached their target for loss of 7 wickets, Letven took 4-33.

They now sit in fourth place.