Anyone expecting a low-scoring affair at Lindow would have been confounded to see 501 runs scored as they narrowly failed to seal victory after a gallant run chase by visitors Bowdon Vale.
The first half of this game belonged completely to Lindow. After being put in, Lindow posted 46 for the loss of Barratt and Foreman to left-arm seamer Willson (2-53).
But then Ed Farmer and Jack Marshall threatened to rewrite the record books, scoring almost at will. After 20 overs the pair had taken Lindow to 102, but thereafter they scored at 10 an over without ever really looking like getting out.
Farmer was dropped once on his way to a second century of the season, but took full advantage of his fortune to drive the home side on to declare on 267-2, Marshall walking off on exactly 100, with 14 fours and two sixes.
Farmer's 130 not out (with 22 boundaries) was the second highest individual score in Lindow’s league history and the unbroken partnership of 225 was the second highest on record and broke the old mark for the third wicket of 186.
After Henry Grover twice had opener Bottomly caught off no-balls before finally trapping him for 14. The high point of the Vale charge was reached at 108 after which they slumped to 144-4.
But visiting skipper Nigel Halsall launched a personal assault on the home bowlers, taking his team to within 75 of the target. Alex Taylor’s aggression got the breakthrough and Lindow were smiling again when Ben Hayes (3-73) struck quickly three times to remove Halsall (40) and two others to leave victory in sight at 206-8.
Taylor (2-6) accounted for another when Willson was caught at long-off but Lindow couldn’t find the breakthrough as Vale closed on 234-9.
