2ndXI beat Gomersal to secure Premier Division status

Lightcliffe 2nd XI 153-5 beat Gomersal 148-6 by 5 wickets Bradford Cricket League 2ndXI Premier Division Saturday 1st September 2018

Lightcliffe produced a professional and thoroughly competent all-round performance to secure their top-flight status for next season.

The Villagers controlled the game from early on as opening bowlers Richard Tesseyman and Max Gardner reduced Gomersal to 16-3.

A brace from Shoaib Hassan and controlled slow bowling from Marcus Kelly and Jordan Pickles meant that Gomersal were kept on a tight rein throughout their innings, where only ex international Tony Blain’s 73 made any impression on the proceedings.

Tesseyman, though less fuel-injected than in his youth, nevertheless left nothing in the pavilion, his 3-36 return representative that the side were up for the challenge.

In reply, captain Michael Brooke adopted the anchor role, a perfect counterpoise to the now familiar rapier of David Knight. Drillers’ charismatic lazy finesse saw the ball stroked to all parts of the ground.

The curse of the drinks break struck. Knight with a mometary lapse was bowled a critical 6 short of that hard won first half century of the season, followed rapidly by the skipper LBW, perhaps the victim of vociferous appeals from consecutive deliveries.

The mid order collapse – symptomatic of the Two’s season, was banished with a classy knock from Vice Captain Richard Thompson. Patient and analytical “Thommy” waited for right ball to dispatch, his 30 runs pivotal in ensuring a win and his best innings for a long time.

Shoaib Hassan came more to the fore upon the Treasurer’s departure and his unbeaten 25 saw some of the quality we are familiar with in his breakthrough season with the bat.

It was fitting that the coup de grace was delivered by Alex Tait. Now back in the fold, Taity waited for the full ball, planted 2 straight maximums over the boundary and mission accomplished, went in search of the celebratory beverage.

Tom Powe summed up the mood in a relieved post-match dressing room. “I’m so chuffed we’ve retained our hard earned Premier status, I’m prepared to fund Chris Dyer’s round of drinks he’s promised everyone if we win today”.

CLICK TO ACCESS MATCH SCORECARD