First XI
Lowerhouse took themselves to within 14 points of league leaders Walsden with a comprehensive 62 run victory away from home.
Henri Cottam got the house off to a fantastic start scoring 52 before Shaukat Ali made 51 and Keagan De Vries made a spectacular 89 off 38 balls including 3 4’s and 11 6’s striking at a magnificent 234. And as i am reliably informed by Adam Hope, this was the highest ever Lowerhouse score by a number 8 batter. Toxy Hussain added a quick 28* aswell as Charlie Cottam’s quick 22 as the house rallied to a big total of 311-9 off their 50 overs. Again reliably informed by Adam Hope, this was the second highest ever Lowerhouse total to not have a centurion since Church at home in 2024.
Francois Haasbroek and Tom Walker opened the bowling for Lowerhouse at the start of what proved to be a successful defence from the lads, Francois took the 2 early wickets of Cameron Hanson and Jake Hooson to put Walsden on the back foot on the way to his 2-46 from 8 overs, followed by Tom Walker taking 3-60 from 11 including the big wicket of Nick Barker. This enabled Shaukat to add to his brilliant afternoon to take 4-86 from nearly 14 overs to bring the 12 points back to Lowerhouse and leave the leaders pointless.
Second XI
Skipper Dec Stansfield won the toss and elected to bat on a day which sent the Seconds top of the league.
Lowerhouse got off to a tough start, finding themselves 13-2 before Chris Bleazard came out to the middle with Joe Clark, the pair put on a crucial 79 run partnership as Bleazard made 56 and Joe Clark made 35. Kheiro Chir and Sonny Whittaker then showed some resilience at the end of the innings, putting on a vital 48 run partnership together, Sonny Whittaker 23* and Kheiro Chir 20* as they bolstered the house to a defendable 171-8 off 45 overs.
Lowerhouse began the defence magnificently, with the away side finding themselves 21-3 after 2 magnificent opening spells from Ollie Williams and Charlie Bithell. Which saw Ollie take 3-24 off his 8 overs and Charlie 1-19 off his 6 overs. It was then the turns of skipper Dec Stansfield and Yanis Chir to continue rolling through the Nelson Order, both taking 3 a piece with Yanis taking 3-29 from his 6 overs and Dec taking 3-22 from his 4.4 overs to give the seconds yet another 12 points, sending them top of the league!