SKIPPER Tom Whitehouse scored a century against Abington to guide Lubenham CC to victory in a competitively-fought game.
Winning the toss, Whitehouse chose to bat first and things got off to a good start with Bob Read and Rob Page getting to 40 without loss. Read fell caught behind for 12 and Page for 30. A huge partnership between Graham Smith (61 not out) and Whiteho
use – who eventually fell for 123 – gave the villagers an imposing total of 248 from their 40 overs.
Abington were always likely to be in the game as they had selected their overseas pro to play in order to get some match practice. Lubenham had a tight first ten overs through the bowling of Page and Whitehouse. The main improvement for the village side this season has been the bowling in the middle overs where stalwart Rio Simms and Tim Hensman have been keeping the run rate down. This again came to fruition with Simms taking one wicket and Hensman three, including that of the overseas pro Laurson with a fine in swinging yorker.
Lubenham took control and three quick wickets from Craig Smith tied things up with Abington bowled out for 144, a massive 100-run victory for Lubenham.
Wigston St James visited Harborough South on Saturday and on winning the toss elected to field.
An early blunder led to the run-out of Andy Gibson for just 6 but useful contributions down the order from Chris Tyrrell (24), Rob Nibbs (23), James Panter and Nick Airey (each 22) and Alex Jackson (13) allowed South to set a useful target of 142 on a difficult batting surface.
In reply, Wigston never really looked like overcoming the South total. A hostile burst from young speedster Nick Airey, in tandom with more sedate bowling from Dave Winter managed to remove the dangerous openers. Wickets thereafter fell regularly as Rob Nibbs (3 for 24), James Panter (2 for 10) and legspinner Tom Airey (2 for 7) bowled superbly to restrict Wigston to 92, with Colin Mason taking the final wicket to complete a fine result for a young and rapidly improving side.
A slightly more mature Sunday side welcomed Langtons to the recreation ground. Captain Andy Gibson got off to a flying start, punishing bad balls in a rapid 35 before he fell lbw to a grubber. In Paul Burrows, South had a player to bear the mantle as he shared useful partnerships with most of the batting order in a fine knock of 84. James Panter’s entertaining cameo of 22 included three sixes in a single over before young spinner Rory Jakeman bowled him as he was trying to make it four. Bowlers Ollie Hague and Jakeman were the best of Langtons’ attack with two and three wickets respectively as South closed on 229.
Langtons never really mastered the South bowlers as Dan Hall and Ross Ginns removed the openers including dangerman Mick Bradshaw for a duck. An intelligent partnership between Ed Prince (29) and South’s own Graham Cowie (37) raised the hopes of the batting side but after their loss the tail capitulated and South won by 97 runs. Robin Webb was the standout member of the South attack with 4 wickets for just 5 runs.
