Wes Royle enters Fox Lane Record Books
New Leyland record-holder Wes Royle
|
Leyland Second XI opener Wes Royle broke the Club Division Two batting record when he made an undefeated 132 against Carnforth at Lodge Quarry last Saturday.
The scorecard for the game can be found here:
http://npcl.play-cricket.com/website/results/1589659
Royle beat a long-standing record established by Keith Halliwell who made 121 for Leyland Seconds in 1966.
The Leyland batsman overcame the early loss of opening partner Ian Dickinson and weathered a testing spell of swing bowling from Gareth Denwood and Jason Cornthwaite. He shared a 144-run partnership with Danny Lamb for the third wicket, as both players accelerated after the drinks break. After 25 overs Leyland were 93/2; when Lamb was dismissed they were 188/3 after 37 overs.
Royle reached his fifty off 68 balls in 82 minutes; his hundred off 104 balls in 140 minutes and his undefeated 132 came off 130 balls and contained 16 fours and two sixes.
Commenting on the innings Leyland Second XI captain Ian Farrington said: "It was brilliantly paced innings. Wes displayed a wide range of strokes all-round the wicket and was particular quick to put away any short pitched bowling."
It was Royle's second century of the season following 102 against St Annes and maintained his excellent record at Lodge Quarry.
Apart from last season, when he was dismissed to the first ball of the entire season, Royle has recorded good scores at Carnforth, hitting 112 for Leyland Motors Seconds in 2006, 90 in the Second Division Cup for Leyland in 2007 and 69 in Division Two in 2009.
Farrington added: "It was an excellent game of cricket played competitively, but in good spirit, that we were very pleased to win.
"Carnforth batted very positively, with Jason Cornthwaite and Alex Benson being particularly aggressive against our spinners. Danny Lamb's second spell of bowling was crucial for us picking up the wicket of Cornthwaite and then the last three batsmen quickly; he had a great all round game.
"On a glorious day weather-wise the ground looked superb, the wicket and outfield were a credit to Carnforth and their groundsman Peter Robinson."
