Lodsworth Back On Song
Sunday 18th June 2006
Tillington CC v Lodsworth CC at Tillington
Lodsworth CC 139 for 9 ( Jon Houghton 35, Andy Long 23, Sean Chivers 15 not out: D Clarke 12 overs 4 for 33)
Tillington CC 110 for 10 (S Hodd 47, M Hill 23, D Clarke 19: Andy Long 9 overs 6 for 29, Jon Houghton 18 overs 4 for 41)
This was a much-improved performance from Lodsworth with a spirited batting display from Jon Houghton (35), and another from Andy Long (23). Sean Chivers hit an unbeaten 15 and there were supporting cameos from Paul Phillips (13) and Alistair Rix (13). But M Hill and D Clarke bowled tightly for Tillington and 139 for 9 looked at first to be a low score to defend.
Set a target of 140 Tillington were initially held on a tight rein by Paul Phillips and Jon Houghton until the 18th over, whereupon Andy Long took over and produced his best form of the season with three wickets in his first over. Long finished with figures of 9 overs 6 for 29, with Jon Houghton sharing the bowling honours with 18 overs 4 for 41. Houghton took three catches and Bob Powell two as Tillington hung on grimly to finish with 110 for 10 at the conclusion of play. Tillington’s best batsmen were S Hodd with 47 and M Hill with 23. Lodsworth welcomed Jack Dimond to the team in what it is hoped will be the first of his many games this season.
A victory for Lodsworth? Well not quite the result was declared a draw as in the spirit of Village Cricket it had been agreed at the outset that Tillington could field 12 players and schoolboys A and D Groves held out in the very last over. But Lodsworth can claim a moral victory.
Man-of-the-match Andy Long.