Lowerhouse v Todmorden

Lowerhouse continued to climb the Lancashire League table. after a hard fought victory over Todmorden on Saturday,

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first on a bright and sunny afternoon. They made a solid start in the opening overs before losing a cluster of wickets: Edgar (9), Finch (0) and Pienaar (1). Whitehead did his best to keep things ticking over but he departed on 20 and Joe Martin (0) followed shortly afterwards to leave the score at 56/5 which was very much below par. As on so many occasions, though. Chris Bleazard came in and got the home side to relative safety with a vital knock of 46. Fergus Bailey (21) Walker (19), Hawke (11) and Cottam also provided good assistance to make the final score 172 all out.

Todmorden started poorly as Bailey dismissed Newbitt for 1 when he clipped it straight to Hawke at square and then trapped Ben Sutcliffe lbw without scoring. The same fate fell upon Freddie Priestley the next over (Bailey would finish with figures of 3/40 from 12 overs). Gilford along with professional Michael Neser would engage in a recovery mission for the next 5 overs before Gilford was run out on 24 attempting a 2nd run but was sent back too late by Neser. The professional would go onto his half century despite being dropped on 22. In the meantime, Lowerhouse managed to stay in the contest by claiming the wickets of Andrew Sutcliffe (14) and Garland (10). The pro was still strong which meant the visitors were still favourites as they only needed 28 from the final 12 overs. That all changed in 1 dramatic spell as Pienaar returned for a 2nd spell. Firstly, he ended Neser’s innings on 76 then blizted through Senior (0) and Hanson (0) in successive balls. He would complete the turn around in the next over by bowling out Foster to finish with figures of 4/39 (having been 0/34) and end Todmorden’s innings on 152 all out and secure another 12 point haul for Lowerhouse.

Joint MOM went to Fergus Bailey (21 and 3/40) and Chris Bleazard (48),