4th XI return to winning ways

The team mustered at Ladybridge in their own inestimable style. Some early, some on time & a few very late. How hard can it be?

The late arrival of two of the senior bowlers meant batting first was always on the cards and so it was on invite (surprisingly) from the Ladybridge captain, Gary and Phil taking first dibbs on a green top with very worn ends. Gary was at least (this week) able to get the ball off the square and had made 4 before being given out Lbw (again) to the left arm over of Sadiq who would ultimately bowl a fine spell of 10/5/1-12. 7 for 1 rapidly became 7 for 2 when Phil was undone by a slower ball from Carter to be bowled. Waz & Krishna had now become de facto openers although I am not sure Waz realised as he counterattacked. They consolidated with a valuable 38 run partnership that took overs out of Sadiqs allowance.

Waz lived by the sword and died by it, out hooking to be well caught at deep fine leg some 60 metres away for 21. Karl was next up and was eager to test out his new bat. Unfortunately Krishna had other ideas and got him comfortably run out for 2. Two slow runners trying quick runs is never a good idea. 43 for 4. Having batted well for an hour Krish then ran out of steam and lobbed up an easy catch off Carter to make it 53 for 5 & the captain was worried that a 'same old' 90 all out shift was occurring. Luckily Tayyab is no mind reader nor Pushka. Both knuckled down and formed a valuable 75 run partnership for the 7th wicket, taking advantage of the weaker 1st change bowling. Pushka was bowled for 25 to make it 128 for 6 and it became 130 for 7 when Joe did not trouble the scorers. Tej joined Tayyab and batted confidently with him to score 11 followed by Jamie with 4 and Will with 4 not out whilst Tayyab clubbed the ball to all parts to end up with a cracking 84 not out in a total of 190 for 9 off our allocation. A good return considering the laboured start to the innings.

Waz got our bowling effort to a great start in his second over, bowling Sarbutts and the Sundaram to make it 7 for 2. De ja vuz? At the other end Jamie was bowling well and beat the bat on numerous occasions. He was ultimately rewarded when he got Sayers strangled down the leg side with the worse ball in his spell! On Jamie finishing his spell Pushka came on and was rewarded in his first over by catching a smart chance off his own bootlaces to get the dangerous looking Aesar out for 15 to make it 40 for 4. Tej had replaced Waz and he got in on the action by having Carter caught behind to make it 53 for 5 and there was the unfamiliar smell of a win in the air.

Sadiq backed up his sterling effort with the ball and led a 66 run counter attacking partnership with Norris. He hit 7 fours and a six in a well struck 48 before Will bowled a match turning over. He first had Sadiq caught behind and two balls later induced Murphy to lob gently into the covers to be held by Tayyab. This act allowed the bats to cross and 2 balls later Norris (most probably realising he was running out of partners) took a liberty too many and looped one into the air above cover point. Pushka rushed in and held the catch to dismiss him for 43 (including 9 fours). This left the tail and Pushka rounded off a fine game for him in running out Shahnawaz for 7. Tayyab then bowled the No. 11 with a full bunger that hit the top of off stump and it was all over. Ladybridge 130 all out.

A great effort from the Timperley tail and all in fielding led to this well-earned (and needed) victory. All of the bowlers are to be congratulated in their part of the win that offered up only 3 extras to Ladybridge.

Well played boys!!