FCC 2nd XI v Locksbottom

Saturday saw the 2nd team earn their first league win of the 2016 season thanks to a solid all round team performance.

Having lost the toss we were asked to bat first on a damp looking pitch. However, openers Alan Freedman and Simon Evans got us off to another solid start adding 40 for the first wicket. Evans continued until he succumbed to the slow left arm bowler for 47. Matt Bowles chipped in with a useful 33 and Steve Franklin, on his return to the club, helped to hold the innings together which enabled the tail to play with some freedom. Ryan Maddox made a quick fire 24 with his usual mix of 4's and 6's and Jason Blanden finished the innings with 2 maximums in the final over that meant we posted a very competitive 180 from our 40 overs.

In their reply Locksbottom were always behind the required rate. Our two opening bowlers both bowled miserly spells, John Rose had figures of 2 for 21 off his 9 overs and Dave Ward 0 for 19 of his 9. Thanks to this early pressure wickets fell regularly as Locksbottom tried to get back in the game but our bowling was more than a match for them. Richard Gibbons, on debut, took his first wicket for the club, Jason Blanden carried on where he left off last week with another 2 victims and finally Kieron Rocke, on his long awaited return from injury, took the bowling honours with 3 for 35.

We will look to continue this form and spirit in to next weeks game and look to add another win.