LONGRIDGE opened their campaign for 2008 with a difficult encounter against a very strong Vernon Carus. On a bitterly cold day with the wind howling, conditions were not ideal, but the lads were determined to kickstart their season with a good performance.
After losing the toss, Longridge were asked to bat first and were soon under pressure as the new opening partnership of Kyle Helm and Gary Knight were both dismissed for single figure scores. However, a good partnership between Josh and Rory McDowell took the score to a promising 97 for 4 before Rory was caught for a useful 23.
After a couple more quick wickets Longridge were looking in a spot of bother at 104 for 6, but another useful partnership of 40 between Josh McDowell and skipper Alan Simpson 23 helped Longridge to a competitive total of 150 for 8. McDowell remained unbeaten on 56, playing a very responsible innings to put the home side in a decent position.
After the break, despite bowling well, Longridge were unable to make an early breakthrough and the score was 44 before Gary Knight held on to a fine catch off Rory McDowell. Three further wickets saw Longridge well placed as they reduced Vernons to 72 for 4 with only 15 overs remaining. Longridge were just found wanting in the bowling department as at a key stage they just bowled one or two many bad balls to let the visitors off the hook. Vernons eventually secured victory for the loss of 6 wickets with 3 overs to spare.
All four of the Longridge bowlers can be reasonably pleased with their efforts, but the pick was Rory McDowell with 12 overs 3 for 31, a superb effort especially considering all his overs were bowled running up hill into a howling gale.
Next week the 2nd X1 travel to local rivals Fulwood & Broughton for what is likely to be another tough test.