Woody's willow wafting wasted at Wesleyans

Lightcliffe 3rd XI 235-6 lost to Almondbury Wesleyans 240-4 by 6 wickets Halifax Sunday League Division One - Sunday 10th June 2018

Lightcliffe 3rd XI 235-6 lost to Almondbury Wesleyans 240-4 by 6 wickets
Halifax Sunday League Division One - Sunday 10th June 2018

Lightcliffe gave a good account f themselves in their third League fixture, but came up against Almondbury Wesleyans team who justified their position of League leaders and Cup Finalists.

With another mixed side, Marcus Kelly was given to opportunity to maintain a 100% winning run as Captain and blended youth in the form of 12 year old Joe Pyrah (16) with the maturity of David Heath (45) as stand-in opener and a positive 53 opening stand was produced.

The innings stalled a little mid innings, although Steve Hartley (24) and Kelly (38) looked to resurrect proceedings, but it was the final 5 overs when the Lightcliffe contribution came to life.

Mick Wood (again choosing this picturesque venue for his single season Sunday outing) took a selection of metaphorical irons and woods to the crease and demolished the late order bowling with a quick-fire 52 to raise the total to a seemingly healthy 235.

The visitors started well with the ball as 13 year old Dylan Hill tempted the Wesleyan opener to hit a ball firmly into the midriff of a winded Josh Stringer.

Thereafter there was toil for Lightcliffe as the quality of the home sides batting – along with healthy slices of thick edges for the opener generated a 139 partnership broken eventually by a wicket for Hartley.

Frustratingly the 4 ball came too frequently despite the visitors effort to fabricate a breakthrough.

James Lunn thrown on with mid order batsmen in full flow, bowled much better than his figures suggest and deserved 2 wickets and Hill showed commitment beyond his years when continuing to bowl despite taking a hefty return blow in the chest off his own bowling.

Ultimately Lightcliffe had few complaints in the outcome and will look to find some much needed success in their next outing.