AN UNDER-STRENGTH Langley travelled to Appleton at the weekend with several players missing and under the circumstances put up a great performance to come away with a win.
Appleton won the toss and elected to bat on a green wicket. However, they were soon in trouble as Dave Frame and Alex Berzins picked up wickets in their first overs to reduce them to 0-2.
Grumley (62), Clarke (16) and Hurst (26) fought back and took the home side to 105-3 but the run rate was low and scoring tough as Appleton then collapsed to 132-9 off 48 overs, mainly due to 4-41 in 13 overs bowled by Joel Unsworth.
He was well backed up by Frame (2-29), Hollinshead (2-33) and Berzins (1-25).
In reply Gregory and Hollinshead knocked off 25 inside six overs before Langley also suffered a collapse.
They were reduced to 34-4 and then 49-6 and it was only the patient Joel Unsworth who showed great shot selection to put up any defiance.
Stubborn
He scored a stubborn 39 but when he was caught on the boundary with 30 still needed Langley looked doomed, but Frame (29 not out) including two huge sixes and Alex Berzins (15 not out) led Langley to a well-earned victory.
The matchball sponsor was the Kings Head.
l Langley’s second XI also had a fine win in their game against Holmes Chapel.
Led by skipper Nick Berzins, who hit 114, Langley posted 238-4 with Chris Tatler (52) and Tim Laughton (46) having good knocks.
Tim Pattison then took four wickets as Holmes Chappell were bowled out for 178.
