Second Eleven Fall Just Short in Low-Scoring Thriller at Darwen
The Second Eleven were involved in a low-scoring thriller at Darwen, with the weather once again playing a major part in proceedings.
Dec lost the toss and Lowerhouse were put into bat. After further rain delays, the innings was reduced to 35 overs, with Lowerhouse finishing on 97 for 9. Joel Sharpe top scored with 26.
In reply, Darwen lost wickets at regular intervals and at one stage found themselves struggling at 20 for 4.
Lowerhouse turned the screw with some brilliant, restrictive bowling and reduced Darwen to 66 for 8, with 11 overs remaining and a revised target of 95.
The economy rates of the young Second Eleven bowlers were phenomenal. There were very few bad balls on offer and their consistency showed exactly why they are challenging at the top of the league this season. It is a huge credit to the players and the club.
Josh Nelson led the way with excellent figures of 3 for 18 from his seven overs, while Charlie Bithell took 2 for 15 from 6.2 overs and Yanis Chir returned figures of 2 for 19 from his nine overs.
However, Darwen’s eighth-wicket partnership dug in and waited patiently for the bad ball, taking the score from 66 for 8 to 85 for 8, leaving them needing just 10 runs from 40 balls.
Darwen eventually saw it home eight wickets down, with 20 balls remaining, thanks to an excellent eighth-wicket stand.
Despite the defeat, title rivals Norden also lost, leaving Lowerhouse in second place, just four points off the top.
⸻
Rain Again Plays Its Part for First Eleven at Darwen
Lowerhouse First Eleven and rain, or even the potential for rain, have not been a good combination this season.
With a yellow weather warning and thunderstorms forecast throughout the afternoon, there was always likely to be some disruption.
Ben lost the toss and Lowerhouse were put into bat. After a lengthy rain break, with Lowerhouse eight wickets down, the innings eventually came to an end on 107 all out from 28.3 overs.
Keagan De Vries top scored with 24.
In reply, Darwen were set a revised target of 95 from 35 overs and reached it four wickets down from 25.4 overs.
Paddy Martin took two wickets, while Dan and Oli Williams picked up one apiece.