Langley firm up third spot with victory

LANGLEY 1st XI bounced back to form at the weekend with a solid all round team performance at home to Aston.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat on a firm, fast wicket and got off to a solid if unspectacular start as Dave Draper and Joseph added 37 in 15 overs before Matt Betteridge struck twice in one over, as Joseph 15 drilled to mid off and Chris Beesley (0) was LBW.

The Draper brothers then steadied the ship. The score reached 85 when Rob (26) was well caught by Ali at slip as Dave Cowen claimed a first wicket. A second soon followed as Sridhar (0) was LBW, with the score on 97-4.

Dave Draper continued to accumulate and brought up a well deserved half century and, along with Sant, increased the run rate.

The duo added 34 at which point the innings fell apart as Aston lost five wickets for 11 runs.

Dave Draper (70) was superbly run out by Betteridge, Sant (12) was caught in the deep by Wheelton off Steve Whittingham, Cowen bowled Patel (0), Mainwaring (0) was run out again by Betteridge and when Whittingham trapped Jindal (6) LBW Aston has subsided to 142-9.

Fenney (10no) and Pat Beesley (10no) did rally but the their final total of 157-9 looked under par.

For Langley, Cowen 3-38 off nine overs, Whittingham 2-20 off six overs, Betteridge 2-43 off 14 overs, Malik 0-24 off six overs and Frame 0-24 off 10 overs all bowled well.

After a fantastic Sara Matthews tea, Langley set about their reply.

It didn’t start well as Chris Pattison (4) mistimed to square leg and when Salman Ali (0) was bowled Langley were 12-2.

Sunny Malik and Pat Horgan then fought back, both hit the ball well but the former was extremely destructive, they added 72 in 10 overs before Horgan (18) was adjudged LBW.

Danny Brown joined Malik, who continued to attack the bowling, anything pitched up or short was given the treatment.

Malik plundered 115 off just 54 balls before he was bowled with just five needed, it was left to Brown (6no) and Wheelton (8no) to take Langley to 161-4 off just 17 overs.

Langley cemented third place with other results going in their favour.

Langley 2nd XI travelled to Aston, asked to bat Langley hit 202-5 Rick Hughes hit 111 his third century of the season, in reply Aston closed on 190-6.

Langley remain in second place and face leaders Cholmondeley next weekend in a crucial encounter.