The 2nd XI were back in league action this weekend for the first time in a month, carrying on from where they left off at Heaton Mersey Village with a comfortable victory Vs Brooklands, on a warm and muggy afternoon in Sale.

After being put into bat, Ladybridge were in all sorts of problems at 8-2 as veteran batsman Si Sayers was sent back to his outfield chair third ball of the match, shortly followed by Tan Ur-Rehman who uncharacteristically played back to a full ball.

Following a quickfire 30 from opener Roshan Mathew, it was down to Captain Ben Massey and the unconventional James Tomlinson to repair the damage, putting on a useful 60 partnership and setting the platform for the hard hitting Ladybridge middle order to follow later in the innings.

Tomlinson departed for a breezy 33 after hitting one shot too many. Massey followed after playing a 'Clarkesque' 27 from 20 overs. Saj Sadiq came and went for a duck before the scorer had even added his name.

With Ladybridge in danger of undoing the hard work, it was down to Tayyab with a swashbuckling 47 and youngster Zidan Zeb-Khan’s 21 to rebuild and edge the Bridge towards a competitive total.

A few lofty blows from George Hess and a lovely single from Simon ‘The Owl’ Hooton saw Ladybridge to 195-9.

Following a short trip to Tesco for team supplies at the interval, Bridge got off to a positive start in the field with Murad and Tayyab stopping an early onslaught from the Brookland openers.

Spin was introduced in the 11th over with the evergreen Simon Hooton into the attack. Immediately he started causing problems with his flight, guile, experience, sharp turn and bounce (after his first over anyway). Hooton bowled 10 overs straight through, with 2-27 looking very respectable with the Brooklands number 3 looking extremely dangerous.

Roshan Mathew came into the attack but was unfortunately on the receiving end of what we would describe as ‘a bit of tap’.

Following drinks and a quick toilet break in the makeshift facilities, in the bushes, Ladybridge had Brooklands at 80-4. They just needed to hold their nerve.

Once George Hess removed the danger man for a classy half century the Bridge began to turn the screw.

Murad came back into the attack and caused issues with his away swing, soon getting his reward with makeshift wicket keeper Massey snaring the catch, full stretch to his right. With the wicket keeping merry go round it was great to see no byes and 2 catches this week hopefully putting an end to some of the previous 'stand ins' in earlier games.

Tayyab finished with a 4fer, cleaning up the tail and youngsters with Ladybridge winning comfortably by 30 runs in the end.

With Brooklands again to come next Saturday, The Bridge will turn to cup action on Tuesday night against the free scoring Hawk Green where they will see ‘The Owl’ do battle with the Hawk.

Have you thought about playing cricket yourself, or thought about getting back into cricket?

If you're interested in getting involved and would like to come and join a practice session or understand more about the club, please do get in touch.

For more details, please contact below:

Senior Cricket - Paul Weir

Junior Cricket - Duncan Armstrong