Maximum points for Langley 2s

Langley 2nds opened up their 2017 campaign away at Holmes Chapel on Saturday under the returning Captaincy Andy ‘Monkey’ Mannion.

The pre-match shock wasn’t the full team taking part in the warm up or even the beautiful bronzed figure of Rik Hughes but the emergence of a 2 stone lighter and 2 foot taller Rik Laughton, Rik had clearly been working hard on his fitness so much so he was almost unrecognisable.

With a dry solid deck, the toss was an important one to win and Monkey duly obliged choosing to bat first.

The opening partnership of Hughes and Wheelton got Langley off to a solid start before Hughes (15) tried to sweep a full one. Tom ‘Full Kit’ Potts joined Wheelton at the crease and both batsmen were able to play their shots as the bowlers tired under the sun. Potts was eventually bowled (24) while Wheelton grew with confidence with a superb match winning 54. Barber (11) chipped to Short Mid-off and Gold (5) missed the straight one. Captain Mannion (19) used his feet well to frustrate the home side and Laughton (18*) hit a maximum early on. Love panicked and paddled a short ball for 6 before Mannion declared on 181/9 from 44 Overs.

After a 7/10 Tea the skipper called the team to the changing room for a quick Motivational chat. However, due to his excitement of opening the bowling Bellfield was already out marking his run up. Love (2 for 24) struck with the 3rd ball of the innings clean bowling opener Dray for a Duck. Love also took the wicket of Walker (10) which was caught by Moore at short mid-off. Bellfield (1 for 19) forced Dale to chip to Hughes at Midwicket which left Holmes Chapel struggling on 31/3 in front on a full house crowd. The ageing Barber opened his spell with the wicket of Dale (8) Caught and Bowled and Longley (0). The opener Radford (21) looked settled before Barber cleaned bowled him as well as trapping Birks (5) LBW.
Mannion finally took notice of Moore’s 15 over warm up and brought him on from the top end. Moore (3 for 3) found his 2014 form and was too quick for Tickle (1), Jump (0) and the final wicket of Berry (0).

Langley taking a maximum 25 points with a 117 run win