Poor batting sees Langley slip off pace

LANGLEY 1st XI travelled to league leaders Stretton at the weekend and, after a promising fielding and bowling display, were let down by some poor batting.

The hosts were asked to bat and lost two early wickets as Matt Betteridge bowled Ashraf (4) and David Frame dismissed Imran (0) in the same manner.

Malik and Ratnaganri fought back, both striking the ball well, and they took the score to 57 before Frame trapped Malik (12) LBW.

Mir (6) soon followed LBW to Betteridge with the score on 64.

Ratnaganri continued to attack and reached his half century.

He took his score to 56 before he was caught behind off Betteridge, with the score on 91-5.

The Stretton tail then struggled – from 110-5 they folded to 124 all out,

Sunny Malik had Yusaf (3) caught behind, Steve Whittingham superbly caught and bowled Zubairi (25) and he then had Bihal (0) well caught in the deep by Danny Brown before Malik bowled the last two batsman.

For Langley, Malik 3-28 off seven overs, Betteridge 3-40 off 13 overs, Whittingham 2-8 off two overs and Frame 2-40 off eight overs bowled well.

After a superb curry tea, the Langley batsmen found life tough against some quick, accurate bowling.

Chris Pattison (1) was bowled, Sunny Malik (0) was LBW first ball and Rick Hughes (5) bowled as Langley collapsed to 11-3.

Olly Wheelton and Pat Horgan tried to fight back and the score reached 22 when the unfortunate Wheelton (12) was run out.

Horgan and Danny Brown took the score to 35, the former then chipped to midwicket after scoring 11.

The Langley middle order then collapsed in dramatic style.

Dave Cowen was caught at short fine leg, Steve Whittingham LBW first ball, Betteridge bowled as was Dave Gregory first ball as Langley lost five wickets for five runs.

Brown and Frame did rally, adding 16 before Frame was LBW for another duck as Langley were all out for a paltry 56, Brown left on 20no.

Langley remain in third place but slip off the pace of the top two and entertain Cheadle next week.

Langley 2nd XI also lost at home to Holmes Chapel. Langley hit 216-9, Dave Letven the top scorer with 56no, assisted by Steve Boon 49.

Holmes Chapel reached their target for the loss of seven wickets.

Langley slip to fourth position but are just five points behind second place.