Langley 1st XI made the trip to Knutsford at the weekend, skipper Al Berzins lost the toss and Langley were put in to bat on a damp, slow wicket.
Openers Chris Pattison (6) and Zach Howdle (5) made a watchful start on a wicket that misbehaved regularly and took the score to 11 before Howdle was bowled by Saleem. This started a Langley collapse, Pattison guided the ball to Point the ball after Howdle was out and Gregory (4), Hughes (0), Gay (2) and Simnett (5) soon followed. Langley were in big trouble at 28-6 when Betteridge and Doggart came to the crease.
Both batsmen started to rebuild the innings as the wicket started to dry out, taking singles when they could they saw off the opening bowlers. Betteridge then took the attack to the change bowlers greatly supported by Doggart whos resistance was eventually ended when he was bowled for 15. This was Betteridges key to hit out and he punished anything lose by the bowlers on his way to a fine 77 including ten 4s and one 6 (Langleys only boundaries of the innings). Berzins (4), Patterson (5*) and Frame (3*) took Langleys score to 144-9 off their 40 overs.
In response the Knutsford batsmen looked steady on a pitch that had totally changed from the start of the game. Berzins and Doggart opened the bowling and whilst both kept it tight couldn't make the breakthrough. Patterson and Betteridge were both quickly introduced in to the attack but it wasn't until the score was on 63 that the first wicket was taken, Betteridge having Iqbal (36) caught on the boundary by Howdle. The other opener Ghazanfar continued to bat nicely putting away any bad balls from the Langley bowlers until he was finally bowled by Frame in the closing stages of the game. Knutsford easily reached the target 2 wickets down in the 33rd over.
Langley entertain North East Cheshire at Cockhall Lane on Saturday.

2nd XI Continue Good Form

Langley 2nd XI welcomed Knutsford in the return fixture and ran out comfortable winners.
Skipper Tim Wilkinson-Hall won the toss and elected to bat, things got off to a bad start when Langley lost openers Boon (2) and Laughton (13) quickly. Bowden then played a fine innings hitting five 6s on his way to 81, this innings meant Langley posted a total of 133-8 from their 40 overs.
That total proved too much for Knutsford who struggled to put together any partnerships under the hostile opening bowling spell from quicks Anderson and Love. Anderson was the pick of the bowlers finishing with 4-29 off his 10 overs. Love 1-24, TWH 2-20 and Nadin 1-5 picked up the rest.
Langley travel to North East Cheshire this weekend.

Under 13s Girls Come Second in Cricket Festival

Langley Girls (pictured) played in Cheshire Cricket Festival on Sunday putting their skills up to test against Chester, Alvanley and Runcorn. Langley came second overall wining 2 and losing 1 of their games.
This is an amazing achievement given that the Langley girls are such a young team who were only formed this season.
The players loved the experience and came away buzzing. It was great to meet lots of teams with such good players that we wouldn’t normally play against.
The tournament was very well organised event by Cheshire Cricket and Alvanley, who provided a friendly atmosphere and a fitting way to promote female cricket, which was greatly appreciated by the large travelling Langley contingent.

Langley Womens Maiden Victory

Langley Women welcomed Heaton Mersey Cheadle Women to Coackhall Lane on Sunday afternoon. Langley were searching for their first win in the Cheshire Women’s League following defeats to Lindow and Chester.
Langley captain, Jill Tildsley won the toss and invited Cheadle to bat on a slow, damp wicket. The visitors lost an early wicket with Ella Hirst bowling Oliver with the score on 2.
Appleyard and Shaw then put together a decent partnership scoring 20 and 18 respectively.
Appleyard fell to the bowling of Jenny Wallace with Carolyne Jones taking the stumping. Shaw was also out to the consistent bowling of Jenny, this time caught by Jill Tildsley.
Two more wickets were to fall with Abbi Lamidey running out Hughes and Jill featuring again with a caught and bowled to remove Chapman. Cheadle finished their twenty overs on 85 for 5 with Heasley on 2no and Tymoshenko 17no.
Tight fielding backed up the bowling spells from Ella Hirst 4 overs 1-17, Abbi Lamidey 4 overs 0-18, Annette Wallace 4 overs 0-17, Jill Tildsley 4 overs 1-14, Jenny Wallace 4 overs 2-18 (following up on her 4-17 against Chester).
Langley’s reply got off to a solid start with openers Emily Williams and Ella Hirst rotating strike and running quick singles. Emily reaching 11 before being caught and Ella made 7 before being trapped LBW.
Annette Wallace and Carolyne Jones put together a productive partnership and pushed the score along in pursuit of the 86 required to win. Carolyne was then bowled on 14 which brought Abbi to the crease to join Annette. With the ball not coming on to the bat due to the slow wicket and the fielders squeezing in close it became hard to score. Abbi was out LBW for 4 and Jill came in with overs running out.
With 4 overs remaining Langley required a run a ball. This brought about a flurry of quick singles and some welcome extras from the bowlers as the pressure mounted.
Scores became level with one ball remaining! Somehow the batting pair managed to scramble a single despite the ball ending up next to the wickets after hitting the pads.
Langley had secured their first win with Jill 5* and Annette 17*.
A brilliant game between two well matched teams in difficult weather conditions.
Thanks to Jen and Paul for scoring and umpiring.