Haxey Edge Bottom of Table Clash

The 2nd XI fell to defeat in a closely fought contest against Haxey at the LCG on Saturday. Skipper Ollie lost the toss and Haxey chose to bat on a greenish wicket in cloudy, muggy conditions. Lindum made the most of the favourable early conditions, with Pricey striking twice at the start of his spell, clean bowling the opener second ball and then having the number three caught by Wellsy at mid-on - the dream start at 0-2. After a brief rebuild, and countless plays and misses, Jordan, swinging it both ways around corners, took wicket number three by clean bowling the dangerous opener for nine. £18 in the back pocket... Three became four when Jordan's delicious full toss was slapped straight to Aidan who made no mistake at point. 50-4. However, this is where it began to go downhill. Complacency and a loss of concentration crept in as Haxey began to get themselves back in the game. A partnership of 58 for the fifth wicket was broken by Benno, with Wellsy taking his second catch at mid-off. Another solid partnership, this time of 69, further frustrated Lindum before it was broken by the returning Jordan, Aidan again taking the sharp catch in the covers. Jordan got his well deserved fourth soon after, Wells again taking the high catch at mid-on for his third of the day. Must've had some superglue on his hands from four-be-two'ing all week. 182-7. Despite hopes of bowling the visitors out in the closing overs, it wasn't to be as Haxey added a further 31 to close on 213-7 from their 50. Far more than we were hoping for at 0-2. The 33 extras Lindum conceded could prove costly...

After a solid start from openers Pricey and Aidan which took Lindum to 22 fairly quickly, a top order collapse instantly set Lindum back in their quest of 214 runs. Aidan was first to fall, bowled for 10 by the useful opener, before Pricey fell LBW to the same man for 13. Euan became his third victim two balls later as he snicked behind a rising delivery to leave Lindum shellshocked on 27-3. Ollie and Bobby Noble steadied the ship for 10 or so minutes before the skipper inside edged one on to his stumps for eight. 39-4. This brought the older heads of Noble and Knowles together who did well to stem the flow of wickets, guiding Lindum to 67 before Rob was caught down the leg side off his thigh pad and, to his utter disbelief, given his marching orders. That's what you get for working for Scunny I suppose. Some of the best and most controlled batting of the season so far was then displayed by Knowlesy and Wellsy, with the two putting on 81 to give Lindum some hope. However, it's the hope that kills you, and when Wellsy was caught for 29 and Knowlesy fell LBW for a very well made 57, the hope began to fade and attention turned to A) getting as many batting points as possible and ? denying Haxey the full 20 points. Benno and Ted were bowled for three and 10 respectively and Lindum were 173-9, seven runs off a precious batting point. Thankfully, Pranav hung around excellently for eight and Jordan hit a four to guide Lindum to 181 and four batting points. It looked as though Pranav had gifted Haxey the full 20 points off the final delivery when he looped one straight to mid-on, but thankfully he spilled the dolly and they took just the 19 points - something which may prove vital come September.

Another defeat for the 2s, but some positives to take from the early bowling and middle-order batting. We're getting there! Another big game arrives next week as we take on Nettleham at Mulsane Park. UTL.