On another cold and gusty Saturday afternoon, the visitors won the toss and elected to bowl in conditions that clearly favoured seam bowling. It didn’t take long for Sicklinghall to be rewarded for their captain’s decision as Tash Henry was caught off the bowling of Andy Wood in the second over for just three.

Tash’s wicket brought first-team debutant Paul Gabriel to the crease and he played his role in a strong second-wicket partnership of 28 with captain Shayan Siddiqui. Showing encouraging glimpses of his best form, Shayan looked to build a platform for the innings and made a diligent 22 before being removed to leave Leos 37-3 in the thirteenth over.

Shayan’s dismissal precipitated a second consecutive middle-order collapse as Wood, Zubair Ahmed and Tom Ryszkowski combined for nine wickets to leave Leos on life support. Nick Boyes did his best to salvage some pride with a combative 29 before a useful last-wicket partnership between Jacob Peter and Tim Carter, but Leos were eventually bundled out for just 122 in 40 overs.

With Leos well short of a competitive total, Sicklinghall made light work of the chase as Andy and Martin Wood batted impressively at the top of the innings. Despite Boyes bowling a probing line and creating a handful of early chances, the result was never in doubt as the Woods cruised to a pair of half centuries and knocked the runs off in twenty overs.

Leos will be hoping for an improved display and a return to winning ways at Hillam next weekend. A glimpse of the sun wouldn’t go amiss either…

MoM: Nick Boyes, for what it’s worth.