LANGLEY TWOS STAY TOP OF THE LEAGUE

With skipper Mannion late (again) Rick Hughes stepped in the breach as 2nd XI tosser for the week and having called incorrectly Langley were sent into bat. All bar the first three in the batting order promptly sat relaxed on the side-lines, shades and shorts on ready for a nice relaxing afternoon watching the in form batsmen pile on the runs.

Ten minutes later both Hughes and Tom Potts were back in the shed. But no panic as the experienced Rick Laughton was joined by young Isaac Anderson. Sometimes it was difficult to pick out Rick from the boundary edge, especially if he turned sideways and was in line with the flag pole on the other side of the ground. Three stone lighter after spending more time at the gym than Anthony Joshua, Rick was ready for a marathon innings. If only they'd put a running treadmill in that gym. Laughton run out for nine and Langley not so many for three.

Not long later it was not so many for four as older brother Tim Laughton failed to get one over on his lightweight sibling and also failed to convince these youngsters that this was indeed the Tim Laughton who was (according to Frame's statistics) Langley's top run scorer of all time. Add four to that total and make it two Laughtons in the shed.

And so it was left to skipper Andy Mannion and the ever so slightly younger Isaac Anderson to turn things around. It may have looked to spectators and fielders alike that after every over (and sometimes every ball) the skipper was offering his partner advice but I can assure you the conversation went as follows. Isaac " I'm absolutely knackered". Skipper "Wait 'til you get to my age. Now pretend you're listening to advice while I get my breath back".

With the score well over the hundred mark, no one knew if Mannion had edged one to the keeper but he was on his way for a rest anyway. Out for a well made 46.

Isaac Anderson carried on majestically. There cannot have been many more accomplished innings played by a junior for Langley 2nds than Isaac's 66 here. He has all the shots and the right temperament to be a top player at senior level in a few years time.

After a few lusty blows from Big Matty Barber; the first runs ever scored on the off side by Roy The Man Fleming and the first sight at the crease for 32 years from a still youthful looking Steve Boon, Langley declared on 186 for 9 wickets. The reason for the declaration was that the only batsman (well player) left to come in was looking for the buckles on his pads and getting rather confused. Apparently no-one has told Dave Belfield that we use Velcro nowadays.

Winnington started their run crawl slowly. And got slower. 27 for one after 14 overs. But when Ken McDonald joined Kendol Richardson things began to hot up.

If Langley were unaware that McDonald was making his debut for Winnington Park after playing a couple of seasons in some decent team in a decent league somewhere in Lancashire, then this should really have become apparent after a couple of balls. His rapid fire 50 and a top knock by Richardson put Winnington Park firmly in the driving seat. Only they could now throw it away. And they didn't.

Full marks to the Langley bowlers who never gave up. Especially Callum Love who worked up quite a pace in his second spell (again). Next week the skipper has decided to again ask Callum which end he would prefer ..... and then bowl him from the other. A positive mention too for wicket keeper Tom Potts who not only let through less byes than last week's 35 but also took two excellent catches.

So, 14 points and still level top of the league after three games and a terrific start to the season for Langley 2nd XI.

Apparently tickets have almost sold out for Saturday's clash with third placed Winsford up at Cockhall Lane so if you're thinking about coming to watch, get there early.