NLCC travelled to Horsforth in a bid to revive their league contention hopes after the previous game disappointment. H.Ahmad lost the toss, Horsforth Skipper D.Greig elected to field on a pleasant afternoon. K.Kapote and J.Heath walked out to the middle, it soon became clear it was a slow wicket. Both batsmen didn’t give it away to their credit and stuck at it. The odd loose balls were stroked away to the rope. A solid base had been formed after 10 overs, the score 41-0.The pair struck a run a ball 30 off the next 5 overs, Tij was extravagant with his on-drives, John meanwhile carved the ball around the ground. The 100 partnership was brought up in the 18th over as John brought up his own 50 with a six in between long-on and midwicket, a vehicle nearly being cleaned up in the process. Leeds well set at drinks with the score on 112 without loss. John 53* and Tij 44*.It was all one way traffic after drinks. Tij got to another fine 50 this season with a 4.

The 150 run opening stand was brought up in the 26th over. The Horsforth skipper D.Greig then struck for the home side to remove Tij leg before wicket for a brilliant 69 off 91 balls, 8 Fours and 1 Six. D.Bancroft was in at three and he was immediately off the mark with a single. C.Hillyard picked up a wicket soon after with the score on 179, John was out for a solid 86 off 72 deliveries, 8 fours and 3 sixes. His sweep stroke produced a top edge which went miles in the air, J.Wishart from deep square leg came running in and dived full stretch to seal a superb catch.

D.Ralphs was next to the middle. Duncan initially played second fiddle to Darren as he looked to find some form. Darren creamed the ball to all parts, in particular took a liking to the cow corner and square leg fence. The pair blitzed a 50 partnership inside 6 overs.24 had been taken off the 34th over as Darren got to 50 in no time, launching 3 maximums in that over. Duncan then decided to hit out or get out, carving 18 off the 36th by going straight down the ground in-between the long-off and long-on region. He then followed it up with 3 fours off the 37th to put himself onto 36.Darren was out in the 38th over for a whirlwind 58 off 38 with 4 fours and 5 sixes. The youngster O.Whincup holding his nerve well as he continuously tossed the ball up. Darren skied it out to square leg where A.Wiggan settled under it to seal a solid take.

Duncan proceeded on his merry way to bosh 21 off the 39th over with 2 fours and 2 sixes, bringing up a rapid 50 with 7 fours and 4 sixes. He was out in the final over for a haymaker 61 off 32 deliveries as O.Whincup claimed his second, caught behind by K.Wishart.298-4 is what Leeds finished on, 119 scored off the last 11 overs.

After the refuelling session the second half begun. J.Taylor struck with his second ball, B.Bowmen poking at one slightly outside off, caught behind by Duncan 0-1.T.Kapote opened up from the road end as things were kept tight early doors,22-1 after 8.Tij got his first for the day by bowling M.Cordingley with a cutter round his legs. A.Wiggan struck a couple of delightful cut strokes to the fence. Tij removed him a short time later for 12; clean bowled, 27-3 after 10.

Jonny then picked up two in quick succession. Jb Wishart first caught by Archie at midwicket for no score, O.Whincup was also dismissed for no score as he leading edged one to H.Ahmad at mid-off. The skipper D.Greig was next in, there was no get yourself in as he launched Jonny’s floaty full delivery back over his head and over the sidescreen for the maximum. Jonny said “shot mate”. He then came steaming in for his next couple of deliveries, as D.Greig tried to replicate his stroke from a few balls earlier he broke his bat in the process. A large chuck from the bottom corner of his willow had been removed.

Z.Khan into the attack from the road end removed D.Greig in his second over, the Horsforth skipper tried to go big over the top, it resulted in the ball going skywards above the cover region where C.Sutton got in position and took it reverse cup above his head. A further ten runs were added before A.Ralphs took two in two to leave put himself on a hat-trick.B.Wilson-Mcgarry bowled for 7,D.Nash was also bowled but by a quicker one. Everyone was around the bat for his next delivery, he was ever so close to it as he produced an inside edge. K.Wishart was the last man out a couple of overs later to give Archie his third. Adjudged lbw for 1.Some may say slightly unlucky as it may have been bat first with two noises. C.Hilliyard was unbeaten on 7*.Horsforth were all-out for 63 as Leeds took victory by 235.