Lowerhouse v East Lancs (Worsley Cup Round 2)

Lowerhouse managed to scramble over the line in a low scoring affair at home to East Lancs in the 2nd round of the Worsley Cup.

The visitors elected to bat first on a day that was subject to a potential change in conditions later on. Once again, Joe Hawke was successful in the early overs with the scalps of Mo Bhada (5) and professional Matthew Kleinveldt (2). The South African’s dismissal included an exceptional one handed diving catch from Jonny Whitehead on the leg side. John Turner and Mini Bhada started to turn it round for the visitors though with a steady partnership in the middle overs. Jack Edgar broke them up by ending John Turner’s stint at the crease on 44 with an LBW. Mini Bhada (31) followed shortly afterwards along with Kelly (7), another victim for Edgar who finished his best ever spell for the 1st XI with 3/23 off 9 overs. Nick Turner tried to get the visitors up to something closely resembling a defendable total with a breezy 31 but Ben Heap bowled out him as he took 3 wickets in his 7th over as East Lancs eventually concluded their innings on 168 all out after 48 overs.

Lowerhouse started well in response restricting opening Mark Bolton to just 5 overs. However, at the other end, Danny Chester was bowling well and took the wicket of Whitehead for 12 (Chester ended up with 1/30 off his 10 overs). Jack Edgar couldn’t follow up his excellent exploits with the ball as he was bowled by Shahrukh Khan for 8. Heap (26) and Pienaar (12) also made starts but perished to Kleinveldt who produced an effective spell of bowling as he finished with 2/22 off his 10 overs. Khan claimed further victims in the shape of Matt Walker (2) and Joe Hawke (1). Lowerhouse were 76/6 at this stage having struggled to construct one meaningful partnership. Once again, it was up to the combination of Declan Bailey and Chris Bleazard to save the day with some steady and sensible batting as well as some vital boundaries along the way. Bailey departed in the 47th over for 38 as his wickets were sent tumbling by Shahrukh Khan who posted the best figures of the day with 4/40 off his 10 overs. However, the youngster along with the veteran Bleazard (who finished 44 not out) added an impressive 62 to the score. Captain Charlie Cottam completed the recovery with a Chinese cut for 4 as Lowerhouse won with 170/7 and 10 balls to spare to reach their 3rd Worsley Cup Semi Final where they will play Rawtenstall away on 13h July (the winners of this tie will actually host the final itself so even further incentive for both sides to perform).

MOM was Chris Bleazard for his 44 not out.