Frustrated Langley lose ground
LANGLEY 1st XI suffered an agonising defeat at home to Cholmondeley at the weekend, when they fell short by just seven runs.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat. They got off to a woeful start as they were reduced to 19-4 with Paddy Turner and Matty Betteridge tearing apart the top order.
Betteridge had Will Hockenhall (4) caught behind, Turner then dismissed Griffiths (2) in the same manner, superbly caught and bowled Robinson (2) and then bowled Sam Hockenhall (4).
Pearce and Maginnes fought back taking the score to 65, before the latter was trapped LBW by Frame for 16.
Pearce was joined by Rowland and the duo steadily turned the innings around Pearce looked the more text book with Rowland chancing his arm. They added 87 before Rowland was bowled by Cartwright.
Cholmondeley plundered 80 off the last 10 overs as they posted 183-6 off their 45 overs. Pearce (70no) again proved a thorn in the Langley side.
Turner (3-40 off 11 overs) took the honours, but Betteridge (1-13 off 9) looked back to his best, assisted by Frame (1-29 off 9), Cartwright (1-39 off 4), Berzins (0-19 off 6) and Cowen (0-31 off six).
Langley got off to a fantastic start. Sunny Malik and Dave Cowen added 49 in just seven overs before Malik (37 off just 21 balls) was bowled.
Langley then fell apart as Cartwright was LBW first ball, Olly Wheelton (2) was caught and bowled and Cowen (15) was bowled as Langley were reduced to 63-5.
Pat Horgan and Chris Pattison, inspired by the large crowd, then rebuilt the innings. They took the score to 143 before Pattison (35) was caught at fine leg.
Horgan brought up a well deserved maiden half century and he was on 60 when he was caught and bowled with the total on 164-7.
Betteridge (11) gloved to slip with the score on 172-8 and with a tense finish was in prospect, Langley failed to shine.
Berzins (0) was bowled and Frame (0) edged to the keeper as Langley lost their last three wickets for two runs folding to 176 all out. Credit to Cholmondeley who recovered well with the bat and never gave up in the field.
Langley remain in the third place but slip further away from the top two.
They make the long trip to the Wirral next Saturday.
Langley seconds also lost away at Cholmondeley, Langley hit 121-8 with Rick Laughton scoring 38. The hosts reached their target losing eight wickets, Matt Barber 5-38 and Callum Love 3-48 bowling well.