Bulls vs Lindow Green

Playing at the lovely Lindow CC (they freely gave Didsbury much valuable advice when we pitched for grant funding for our new nets) both teams were much changed and it wasn't clear how things would work out on the notoriously tricky Lindow track.

Lindow won the toss and invited us to bat and started well keeping things tight. Raheem Tariq (recently selected for Lancashire U12 Development Squad) was circumspect before falling to a good one for a single. Dan Ward joined Seb Lama and set about the job with some intent. However the bowling was a bit wayward, the track a bit up and down, so it was hard to stay fluent (and not let frustration creep in). Seb was second wicket down at 36, also for 1 at which point Rehan strolled in, smashed 16 off 8 before being third out going large once again. Ben Lowe joined Dan and continued his good form batting with maturity and good sense. Dan retired on 31 and when the rain came Ben and Ben Renison had pushed it to 115 off 18.

Some clubs (we know who you are!!) might have called it off and claimed 2 points but when the heavy shower moved Lindow cleared the covers and the game restarted in 18 over format. Lindow, weakened by holiday unavailability, where immediately under the pump with tight opening 2 over spells from Rehan and Dan; the latter would have been 2-2-0-2 if his last ball, an attempted slower ball, hadn't been picked and thumped for 4. Good intent though. Will and Christian picked up where the openers left off taking 1 and 3 wickets respectively. Dan desperately tried to give everyone a bowl but the wickets kept tumbling, 3 in one over to 2018 debutant Oliver Netley and one to Ben Lowe. Jamie Helsby was extremely unlucky not to take one, but some days it's the good ball that gets hit hardest.

Ben Renison, standing well up, kept well in tricky conditions and champagne moment being Olivers juggling catch at mid wicket which otherwise would have raced for 4.

Well played boys, we had the best of the conditions but a good win anyway. Oh yes, I forgo to mention fielding: much better!!

ps you will be pleased to know that your regular match reporter, Steve Morris, returns next week.