Date – Fri 12th May
On a balmy spring evening at Carr Lane in Tarleton, we had a bumper crowd for what was a thrilling match between two very competitive teams. Before the game, District Captain Jemma McVey handed new district caps to Adelaide Mather, Isobel Dickson, Libby Lowrey-Owen and Olivia Hardman.
The toss was won by West Lancs’ skipper Phoebe Astin who elected to field.
LEYLAND INNINGS
Leyland`s county star Olivia Cunliffe plundered a stylish 40 runs off 38 balls, dropped off Adelaide Mather at slip by Libby Lowrey-Owen on 18; it was a sharp chance, in and out of her hands. Despite accurate bowling from openers Jodie Moores and Adelaide Mather, Leyland began to build what looked like a big total. That was until Liliya Taylor replaced Mather at the rugby end and immediately had the intended impact – clean bowling Cunliffe: 64-1.
Ellie Parkinson came on from the pavilion end and again caused havoc with in-swinging bowling leading to another dismissal – clean bowled: 78-2. Daisy Berry replaced Phoebe Astin and, in her second over, forced a mistake from opening batter Whittle and a high catch was taken comfortably by Liliya Taylor leading to jubilant celebrations: 15 over 82-3. Left hand spinner Kirsty Fairhurst was brought on and bamboozled Neve Bolton who played all round the turning ball and the bails once again flew into the air: 96-4. Tight fielding from Olivia Hardman and fantastic boundary marshalling from Rebekah Egan meant the runs were drying up.
Then we witnessed an amazing run-out by Phoebe Astin; the Leyland pair were dashing for every single putting the fielding team under extreme pressure. Phoebe raced in and, in one movement, hurled the ball taking the bails clean off which led to celebrations on the field as the crowd roared from the boundary. A really tight decision and only a direct hit would have done the job and this seemed a pivotal moment in the closing stages of the innings.
Adelaide and Jodie came back on to tie up the innings and bowled tightly to county star Hannah Snape who finished 18 not out. Isobel Dickson commanded the stumps with balls flying in left, right and centre – every stop a vital run saver. Adelaide took a fine ‘caught and bowled’ to wrap up the innings: 105-6. Final total: 107.
From an innings which looked to be getting away, the bowling attack (supported by excellent fielding) dragged it back, leaving 107 a chaseable target.
WEST LANCS INNINGS
Left handers, Adelaide and Ellie, opened the batting and survived a tense first over bowled by Olivia Cunliffe. The second over was quite different as Adelaide let loose with the field closing in. Four runs were pulled through mid-wicket and the next ball the same shot but ariel dropping just short of the boundary rope gave the same result: 4 runs with 10 off the over. You sensed some unease in the Leyland players who had not been met by such ferocity for a long while. Over 3 brought what seemed like an inevitability with Ellie Parkinson stuck in her crease and given LBW. The finger went up: 11-1.
Rebekah Egan batted at 3 and dashed some vital singles with Adelaide to keep the scoreboard ticking and kept Leyland fielders under pressure. However, Judy Winnard came on to bowl and removed Rebekah, caught by Neve Bolton: 22-3.
Sophie McKechnie joined Adelaide and made a quiet start with a few in the crowd becoming nervous as the run rate required loomed large. With Adelaide still thumping the ball to all parts, Sophie awoke launching two 4s in 3 balls; the field retreated. 7 off 1 over proceeded by 6 and then 11 runs. By the time Sophie was dismissed on 23, the pair had put on 51 runs in 8 overs: 74-3. The crowd cheered Sophie off the field. Captain Astin came in to warm applause but Lucy Williamson bowled Adelaide on 38 and then Phoebe on 6. 96-5. Leyland were jubilant. 17 balls to go.
Sometimes cricket bites you on the bum and an easy 2 runs was made difficult as Jodie and Libby ended in no man’s land after the first quick single. Chaos out there as Leyland continued to smell victory. 100-6, 9 balls to go.
Now, those who know their district history will remember the game 2 years ago when Leyland defeated West Lancs in the same fixture and Liliya Taylor and Libby Lowrey-Owen batted out 11 overs in defiance, battered and bruised from Summer Carrington’s pace onslaught. A mid-field conflab between Liliya and Libby had, on this occasion, hatched a plan. There were mutterings from the crowd of dwindling light and the scoreboard now lit up like a beacon. 8 needed to win off 12 balls. Daisy, Isobel and Olivia all padded up, hovering the boundary like lambs to the slaughter; the crowd pacing on the spot uneasy of the task that was required.
As the crowd began to build and the bar began to empty, those who were there can say they witnessed a truly incredible run chase which went right to the wire.
Ball 1 was a swing and a miss by Libby, just outside off. Ball 2: clip and run by Libby as Liliya charged for the line, 7 off 11 needed. Liliya clipped the next ball round the corner for a comfortable one. Libby was to face another dot ball – a dug out yorker. 6 needed, 9 balls to go. The 19th over took nearly 15 minutes to complete, the light fading fast. Lancs Thunder player, Olivia Cunliffe, bowled it. A wide ball gave 1 run added. 5 needed, 4 to draw. The next ball pitched in at the ribs and Libby flicked it in the air through square leg, 2 bounces 4 runs and the crowd went wild! Scores level. Last over saw a wide ball and both girls also ran to compile a 109 total. This sparked a pitch invasion; the crowd erupted. What a game! A quite remarkable game. Cricket was the winner.
The score card can be viewed here.
