On a sunny afternoon, recently promoted Leonard
Stanley welcomed Premier League high-fliers, Eastcome, to the rec for
the opening fixture of the 2009 season.
Stanley captain Rob Walker, won the toss and had
no hesitation in bowling first with the new ball, sponsored by Keith
French, on a green and damp wicket. Progress was rapid at first for the
visitors opening partnership of Anth Perrins and P. Barry, scoring
freely against the home teams opening attack, of Ed Nash and Scott
Kinman-Pearmain, amassing 24 from the first 5 overs. Kinman-Pearmain was
the first to strike having Perrins caught in the covers by P. Groves.
This brought the free scoring T. Phillips to the crease, who took no
time in showing why he won the batting averages last season, by scoring
54, including three huge sixes. With Barry falling for 29, Phillips and
Rich Powis took the score to 111 from 25 overs, before Phillips was
bowled by Kinman-Pearmain, leaving a ball that came back down the hill.
Powis finally fell for 43 and with S. Ward contributing 12, no other
batsman reached double figures thanks to the superb swing bowling of
Kinman-Pearmain who finished with figures of 12-1-44-6. Eastcombe
finishing on 182 all out in the 40th over.
After another of Erica's superb teas, Stanley
Started the required run chase of 4.55 per over in grand style. Openers
Paul Groves and B J Fry went after Eastcombes opening attack of J Ward
and T Phillips at a cracking 6 per over with Groves stroking the ball to
all parts of the ground. Fry Fell for 9 and P. Gabb struggled to 17
before Groves eventually went caught behind for 41, (8x4's) leaving
Captain Walker and debutant Andy Brennan at the crease. With Walker out
for 50 (4x4's & 1x6) and Brennan 22 (3x4's & 1x6) the hard work was done
and it was left to 63 year old John Priestly (5no) to score the winning
run with three wickets and 6.5 overs to spare. J. Ward finished with
figures of 12-0-59-4 for Eastcombe.
Paul Gabb.
L.S.C.C. press officer
