Long-playing CD hits right note
Darwen successfully defended a low total to earn a tense 22 runs victory over Preston at West Cliff in the Second Division League Cup Final on Sunday.
Christian Davies, who set a new Darwen club second XI bowling record in league matches in 2008, continued his prolific season to the end, taking 5 for 20 as Preston were bowled out for 70.
Davies, known to his team-mates as "CD" bowled superbly to take the wickets of four of the first five Preston batsmen while danger-man Aziz Shaheen was run out by Greg Lawrenson after making the game's highest score of 29.
Christian Davies was the Darwen hero with a 5 wicket haul |
Lawrenson's slow left arm spin then continued the Darwen stranglehold. Lawrenson took 4 for 17 in his eight overs and Davies returned to the attack to bag the wicket of Roger Kaye as Preston fell short of their modest target.
Earlier Darwen had struggled on a stodgy, slow-paced pitch after Preston's groundstaff had worked wonders to get the ground fit for play. Preston captain Johnny Winter invited Darwen to bat after winning the toss.
Preston captain Johnny Winter invited Darwen to bat |
Only three Darwen players reached double figures with Simon Painter top-scoring with 17. Fellow veteran David Bonner made a valuable 16 late in the innings while Nathan Jackson made 11.
Dipesh Patel was the most successful Preston bowler with impressive figures of 4 for 16.
The victory was a family affair for Darwen captain Gary Jackson, joined in the side by sons Scott and Nathan while Christian Davies' son Alex was also a member of the victorious side.
It was a family affair for Darwen captain Gary Jackson |
Though the conditions proved to be the winner and make batting a difficult task, the excellent bowling and fielding of both sides reflected well on the standard of second XI cricket in the Northern Premier League and a good-sized crowd enjoyed their afternoon.
A healthy crowd saw the end of the Second Division season at West Cliff |
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