Cricket years review
Leigh Cricket Club
Leigh have now played their last match for the 2007 season. It has not been a good summer for playing cricket mainly because of the poor weather. However, in the closing games, as reported here Leigh have come together very well and are playing excellent and professional style cricket. No doubt enhanced by their new style smart caps. Anyway the players enthusiasm for the game is a pleasure to see and this is reflected in the results as Leigh have won their last five matches
On Sunday 16th. September Leigh Cricket Club visited the lovely Wootton ground to play their Sunday team. The weather was bright and dry with a cold wind.. Wootton won the toss and elected to bat first.
Leigh captain for the day was A.Faulkner and he concentrated on pace attack for a long spell using first R.Flowers and S.Nash and then later J.Cotton.. Not only did they contain the runs but secured a steady fall of wickets. Spin bowling by G.Faulkner and G.Burton was employed in the closing overs with further success.. S.Jilbert top scored with 15. The final total for Wootton was 54.
Best bowling for Leigh was J.Cotton 3 for 4 in 5 overs, D.Nash 2 for 9 in 7 overs. While G.Faulkner secured 2 for 6.
In reply the opening pair S.Nash and J.Cotton overtook the Wootton total without loss. S.Nash 26 and J.Cotton 23.
Leigh were very sharp in the field with excellent wicket keeping by D.Swindell. J.Cotton had a particularly good match with both bat and ball.
This was a comprehensive win for Leigh. However it was an enjoyable game and Wootton our hosts were most hospitable.
On Sunday September 23rd. Leigh CC was host to the Doveridge CC for a 35/35 match. The game was scheduled to start early because of dark evenings coupled with a gloomy weather forecast. Luckily it remained dry apart from the closing overs.
Doveridge won the toss and they put Leigh in to bat first. For the most part this was a low scoring set of innings apart from a rapid and scintillating innings by R.Flowers. He scored 73 and his innings included seven sixes. A majestic performance. Grand total for Leigh was 146 in 27 overs.
Best bowling for Doveridge was by Ben Smith 1 for 4 in four overs while N.Smith 2 for 9 in six overs.
In reply Doveridge lost some early wickets as the Leigh captain A.Faulkner rang the changes with his bowlers in quick succession. However Doveridge captain N.Smith steadied the innings and made a very impressive 46 until A.Bell caught him in the deep off the bowling of R.Flowers. Grand total for Doveridge was 100 after 28 overs.
Best bowling for Leigh was by R.Flowers 4 for 30, D.Nash 2 for 9, and G.Faulkner 2 for 6.
A win for Leigh which means that honours are even between Leigh and Doveridge for the 2007 season.
On Saturday September 29th Leigh CC played Shugborough on their lovely ground, in fine weather, against a backdrop of rising hot air balloons. Leigh won the toss and batted first in a scheduled 40 over match.. Most batsmen did well, particularly captain D.Flowers (54), R.Flowers (56) an innings which included four 6’s and D.Nash top scored with 58. Leigh were all out for 198 in 34 overs.
Best bowling for Shugborough was by M.Turnock 4 for 26, R.Conway 3 for 22, and P.Turnock 1 for 5
In reply Shugborough made a good start losing first wicket when the score was on 29. Opening bat R.Young went on to make an entertaining 50 runs. He was ably supported by A.Young (15) and C.Meredith who was 17 not out at the close. Spin bowling provided by G.Burton, A.Faulkner and G.Faulkner proved effective as did the pace of D.Nash and J.Cotton. Shugborough were all out for 136 in 33 overs.
Best bowling for Leigh was A.Faulkner 2 for 1, J.Cotton 2 for 12, and D.Nash 2 for 20.
A win for Leigh
On Sunday September 30th. Leigh CC played Trent Valley CC on their excellent ground within Rugeley Power Station. A scheduled 40 over match. Trent Valley won the toss and batted first. R.Purser top scored with 24 not out, but unfortunately lower order batsmen did not provide sufficient support and the innings closed on 55 after 24 overs.
Best bowling for Leigh was by G.Burton 3 for 22, D.Nash 1 for 5, R.Flowers 2 for 5 and G.Faulkner 1 for 2.
In reply Leigh overtook the Trent Valley total for the loss of four wickets. R.Flowers made an entertaining 18 which included two sixes. Best bowling for Trent Valley was by L.James with 3 for 37.This win by Leigh was some consolation for two previous defeats in the season
