First victory secured in dramatic end
LANGLEY 1st XI secured their first win of the season with a nail biting home win at home to Chester County Offices.
Skipper Alex Berzins won the toss and elected to bat on a firm but slow wicket.
Langley got off to a dreadful start when Paully Morgan’s impression of Linford Christie failed miserably as he was easily run out in the second over with no runs on the board.
Pat Horgan joined Chris Pattison and they pushed the score to 16 before Pattison was bowled for 14.
Olly Wheelton and Horgan rebuilt the innings with Wheelton hitting some lusty blows including a huge six off Dodds.
The bowler’s mood got no better when he caught and bowled Wheelton off a no ball!
The score reached 61 when Horgan (17) was LBW. Wheelton (36) soon followed when he drilled spinner Bates to cover where Dodd took a good catch and duly sent the youngster on his way.
Andy Pawley and James Bennet steadied the ship, both mixing defence and attack.
The score reached 113-4 when things conspired against Langley.
Bennet (24) was adjudged LBW, Adam Cartwright then dislocated his knee whilst playing a shot and veteran Steve Whittingham was bowled first ball as Langley wobbled to 115-6. Pawley (27) was then caught at cover. Debutant Andy Burke (12) hit some good shots before he was caught on the boundary. Alex Berzins (0) miscued to midwicket.
David Frame (16) was then rejoined by the patched up Cartwright (4no) and the pair added 11 runs before Frame was caught on the edge as Langley were all out for 151 inside 35 overs.
For Chester, youngster Bates 4-31 and Birch 3-41 stood out. In reply, Chester lost two early wickets as Banks (8) drilled to mid off and Barlow (3) was bowled, both falling to the impressive Burke with the score on 18-2.
Downham and Putson looked assured and took the score to 43 when Downham (12) drilled Frame to midwicket where Wheelton took a good catch.
Hebater and Putson then looked to have changed the game. Batting with patience, they saw off the new ball and put away anything loose.
They added 71 taking the total to 114.
Bennet then struck twice in his third over bowling Hebater (37) and then trapping Hickey LBW first ball.
Bennet then struck again in his next over bowling Dodd (0) as Chester were reduced to 118-6.
Putson reached a well deserved half century and along with Johnson attempted to take Chester to victory. With the score on 132 Whittingham bowled Putson (65).
Burke then returned and bowled Bates (6) and trapped Birch (1) LBW.
The score was 141 with 12 needed to win off six overs.
A tense few overs followed. Whittingham started his 12th over with eight required. Johnson ran two from a cover drive and then pulled a long hop to the boundary.
Only two were needed when Whittingham redeemed himself and bowled Johnson (15) as Langley secured a one run win in dramatic fashion.
For Langley, Burke 4-22 off 14 overs, Bennet 3-25 off 6 overs, Whittngham 2-33 off 12 overs and Frame 1-38 off 14 overs all bowled well.
Well done to skipper Berzins who held his nerve and led his side to victory.
A superb match played in great spirit, credit to both sides. Langley move up to fourth place and travel to Aston next week.