Third place for firsts as seconds head up

LANGLEY 1st XI ended their 2017 campaign in style at the weekend with a comprehensive win against the Wirral.

With Cockhall Lane out of use, Audlem was the venue of this dead rubber, the visitors won the toss and elected to bowl on a damp deck.

Sunny Malik and Chris Pattison got Langley off to a frantic start as 30 runs were scored off the first three overs. The score reached 32 when Malik 18 was LBW.

Pat Horgan joined Pattison and the pair continued the good work, the pushed the total to 80 when the Australia-bound Pattison (37) was bowled.

Salman Ali and Horgan then took advantage of the small boundaries and deteriating ball and both secured half centuries.Horgan scored a season best 71 before he was well caught at deep mid on with the score on 155.

Veteran Dave Gregory, 23no and Ali 86no added a fluent 81 run partnership before Langley declared on 241-4 off 40 overs.

In reply the Wirral lost three early wickets and were reduced to 16-3 with skipper David Frame bowling Garret (8), Lewis (0) chipped to Malik at midwicket first ball and Holder (4) was LBW.

The Develing brothers counter attacked with Danny hitting four huge sixes. Frame then pinned Dominic (9) LBW, before Alex Berzins tore through the middle order as he bowled Danny (30). Peel (3) was caught in the covers, Connor Gambles (0) was also bowled and Docherty (0) was LBW as the Wirral crumbled to 79-8.

It meant Langley secured third place.

Langley 2nd XI secured promotion away at Mossley, posting 180-4 declared as Zak Howdle hit a superb 110. In reply Mossley held out and reached 120-4.