Match Report: Nelson 1st XI vs Littleborough
A great start to proceedings as Nelson 1st XI beat Littleborough 1st XI in a pre-season friendly.
11 April 2010
Nelsons preparations for the 2010 Lancashire League season got off to a great start on Sunday with a convincing victory over Central Lancashire League side Littleborough.
New first XI skipper Colin Pemberton won the toss and elected to field first. Littleborough, who had professional Clinton Perren amongst their ranks, started off cautiously taking the total to 31 off 9 overs with tight opening spells from Sam Halstead and Richard Meade. With pressure building Meade struck twice in quick succession to remove both openers reducing the home side to 37-2. The introduction of Stuart Lemon and young Toqir Hussain put the hosts further in trouble on an excellent track for early April. Both bowled with great accuracy, Lemon striking in his first over and Hussain claiming the prize scalp of professional Clinton Perren, clean bowling the Aussie for just 8. Lemon and Hussain continued to cause problems, Lemon striking twice in two balls and another clean bowled wicket for Hussain saw Littleborough slump to 63-7. A mini revival saw the home side take the total to 84 before Thomas Lord with his accurate left arm spin and the re-introduction of Sam Halstead saw Nelson wrap up the innings, Littleborough succumbing to 89 allout. The Nelson bowling attack, backed up by some sharp fielding finished with some excellent figures, Halstead 2-11, Meade 2-28, Stuart Lemon 3-6, Toqir Hussain 2-12 and Thomas Lord 1-13.
The Nelson reply started with the opening partnership of Chris Heap and Stuart Lemon taking the score to 14 before Heap nicked one behind, Nelson 14-1. The Nelson innings threatened to wobble with David Crotty being dismissed by a flying slip catch from the Littleborough professional and Neil Thompson unluckily finding the deep mid wicket fielder off a short ball. At this point Nelson were reduced to 24-3, however this flurry of wickets brought the Lemon brothers together, who began to steady the Nelson ship with a match winning partnership of 53. Both Stuart and Sean looked in good early season form scoring freely and keeping the scoreboard moving at a healthy rate. The partnership was broken with Stuart Lemon falling 3 short of a deserved half century, bowled for an excellent 47 which included 7 fours and 1 six. Sean Lemon soon followed being given LBW for a brisk 20, Nelson close to victory at 77-4. It was left to Garry Grimshaw (8 not out) and Thomas Lord (4 not out) to help Nelson to the victory target with 17 overs to spare to seal a confidence boosting win with Nelsons first Lancashire League fixture against Ramsbottom only 2 weeks away.
Nelson Cricket Club would like to thank Littleborough Cricket Club for their excellent hospitality and we wish them all the best for the coming season.
** When the season gets underway, Lancashire League and Worsley Cup match reports will appear on the fixture pages rather than in the News section of this website.
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