LILLEY (147 all out, Eyres 38) beat Markyate (99 all out, G Tompkins 3-4) by 48 runs
Lilley bounced back from the temporary disappointment of defeat at Bourne End with a convincing win over Markyate, their second of the season.
Skipper James Ashby was back in the side after missing the previous week with work commitments, and when he won the toss, he chose to bat. Ashby himself and ‘The Mouth Of The South’ Mik Carman opened up and to good effect. Ashby it was who struggled to come to terms with a two pace track whilst Carman played some beautiful strokes at the other end as Lilley raced to 46 without loss in the seventh over. The skipper lobbed one back tamely to the bowler in the eighth over though and that began a steady procession of Lilley wickets. Second to go was Carman, good value for his 26, before playing around a straight one. You get the feeling if he could shore up that defence, he could be a powerful top order batsman.
Bradley T (7) played back to a grubber and was followed by Gareth T (4) who became the second caught and bowled victim, with Lilley slipping to 65-4. That became 69-5 when Phil Clarke stepped across his stumps and was adjudged leg before wicket by umpire Carman (D).
Now. Key point in the match. And I’m typing that in a Mark Nicholas voice. Mmmm, yeah. Phil Horner and Steve Eyres came together at the crease. Oh wait a minute…images…anyway, they became partners…oooh no…that’s not much better. Anyway, with five down, the big man and Phil put on a nifty 41 for the sixth wicket, much needed. Horner was done with a genuine good ‘un and was immediately followed by Joel Mellor, the second golden duck of the afternoon, offering no significant stroke to a Smith off spinner. With the decline in number of possible partners, Stevie Eyres decided to unleash. His only previous innings of not was an imperious knock of 32 earlier on this term versus…you guessed it…Markyate. Don’t put dolly bowlers on against Eyres. He hammered a six through cow corner which was adjudged ‘four’ and two balls later had another go, this time winning the umpire’s six signal for his efforts. A sharp single brought last week’s form man Stew Collinson onto strike, only for him to become caught and bowled victim three and golden quacker three. Cha-ching rings the fines pot.
Craig Paddington strode out and hit a genuine late cut for four first up. By jove, he’s got it. Not to out-done by the young up-start, Eyres greeted the introduction of Hamilton’s occasional leg breaks by spanking him for four, then three balls later, clubbing him
viciously back past him straight towards the pavilion. And the ball flew. Straight through the window of the pavilion and into the bar. Smashing stroke. Pics to be on the website a tad later, worth a view!
Eyres (38) took one wild swipe too many at Hammy, and was bowled and by the time Dave Carman was cleaned up – in as a late replacement for Taz, who was stuck in Watford – Lilley had posted a reasonable 147, given the ropey track.
Lilley set about their bowling task very tidily. Ashby and the evergreen Philo Clarke bowled very tightly, restricting the home side to 9-0 off seven overs with six successive maidens between them. Clarke it was with the early breakthroughs, Horner taking a good catch in the gulley to dismiss the dangerous Saunders. Then came quite possibly catch of the season. And Stew Collinson was the man. Clarke induced a timid forward prod by Dimmock and Collinson made amends for his batty batting with a quite brilliant one handed wonder at forward silly point. Brilliant. Clarke (3-19 from 11 miserly overs) bagged a third, having the keeper Porter caught at second slip by Eyres. With opener Patis getting a fearful bruising from some Ashby lifters, Markyate managed to haul themselves into a good position at 68-3 with plenty of overs to go. Then the middle order crumbled. Patis’ luck finally ran out, bowled by Ashby, then Grant went, bowled Ashby and finally Smith went…bowled Ashby. The skipper (3-37) and Clarke then went out to graze in the outfield, with Markyate 78-6 and Dave Carman’s leg spin and Gareth Tompkins pace replacing them. Tompkins it was who stole the show, bowling about as quick as I’ve seen him and mopping up the tail with 3-4 in three hostile overs, two bowled and one caught and bowled off his slower ball – apparently after a tip from older bro Bradley!
So Markyate all out for 99, a 48 run victory for Lilley. Lilley are without their new ball pair of Ashby and Clarke next week for the trip to Steppingly, so it will need a big effort from the team to help Vice, vice Captain Eyres find his first victory as acting captain.
