Cordingley's boys continue winning run
Darwen pro Mohammad Zaman Khan survives an anxious moment against Tom Foster |
Darwen continued their winning start to their Latham Baxendale Twenty20 Cup campaign with an impressive 45 runs victory over in-form Leyland.
Skipper John Cordingley led from the front with 37 as Darwen survived a mid-innings wobble to reach 127 for 7 before a big crowd at Birch Hall, the numbers swelled by a wedding party with the guests enjoying an unexpected bonus in the form of an excellent evening's entertainment.
Prolific pro Mohammad Zaman Khan thrashed 25 in an opening stand of 47 and Neil Cordingley, batting at no3, made 14 but Darwen slumped from 83 for 1 to 96 for 6 before Chris Clarke made an invaluable unbeaten 25.
Leg-spinner Tayyab Afsar, watched by Darwen skipper John Cordingley bowled impressively for Leyland |
Leyland's teenaged leg-spinner Tayyab Afsar bowled impressively to take two for 9 off his four overs, including that Twenty20 rarity- a maiden bowled to Neil Cordingley. Nathan McDonnell also picked up two wickets as Leyland's sharp out cricket helped overcome the loss of pro Brett Pelser and Luis Reece, both unable to bowl through niggling injuries.
James Rounding pulled off a stunning boundary catch to dismiss Jordan Clarke for a Leyland side playing in whites while they await delivery of their new coloured kit.
Luis Reece hit 30 in a losing cause for Leyland |
Kamran Anwar and Neil Cordingley then reduced Leyland to 18 for 3, the latter earning the prize scalp of Pelser, captain for the evening who was bowled for 2.
Luis Reece batted well to hit 30 including two sixes but when he was caught by Mike Douglas off Chris Clarke off a reverse sweep any lingering hopes of a revival went with him.
Douglas, grandson of Blackburn Rovers legend Bryan has returned to the Darwen club after a spell in the Forces.
Leyland were bowled out for 82 with 3.5 overs remaining with Clarke taking two for 10 and Niall Burke three for 26.
Niall Burke took three wickets for Darwen |
SCORES:
Darwen 127 for 7, Leyland 82
