Unpredictable Lindfield suffer disappointing defeat

Harry Choudhary took 1-17 in Lindfield CC's loss against Preston Nomads CC 2nd XI. Pictures by Malcolm Page

For the second week running, Lindfield suffered an eight-wicket defeat in Division 2, this week at the hands of Preston Nomads CC 2nd XI who climbed above them in the table.

Having won the toss, Preston Nomads decided to bowl first and soon started to make inroads into the Lindfield batting including the prized wickets of Toby Shepperson (four) and Apoorv Wankhade (nine).

From these early setbacks Lindfield never recovered as Owen Kernan (5-13) and Ajaz Noorzai (3-20) sliced through the batting to leave Lindfield 70 all out.

Only Sajeer Nizam (11), skipper Simon Shivnarain (13) and Phil Weir (nine*) showing application against the Nomads bowling.

Lindfield CC 3rd XI skipper Scott Clark continued his recent fine form with a superb 100 from 89 balls

Nomad openers Kamran Mirza (10) and skipper James McKemey (17), built a solid partnership of 35 against accurate opening bowling from Scott Pedley (0-6) and Weir (0-13).

The introduction of Harry Choudhary (1-17) and Alex Pedley (1-25) saw the openers dismissed in successive overs, but it only took 11 more over for the next two batsmen, Oliver Gatting (14*) and Baalaaj Khan (20*), to clinch a resounding eight-wicket win.

Lindfield’s captain Shivnarain said: “Suffering two successive heavy defeats is extremely disappointing especially after three consecutive wins. We need to be more consistent and start applying ourselves to match situations.

"Everyone was disappointed last week so hoping for a match improved performance this week against Roffey 2s.”

LINDFIELD CC 2ND XI

In a keenly fought match that could have gone either way, it was home side St. Andrews CC who came away with a three-wicket win against Lindfield CC 2nd XI in Division 6 Central.

St. Andrews won the toss and decided to field and Lindfield soon found themselves on 46-5.

Skipper Gareth Court (26) started the recovery plan and was well supported by Adam Wright (40) and Toby Colvin (25) who both batted aggressively to take the attack to St. Andrews.

Together with a well-constructed 38* from Charlie Pugh, Lindfield were able to close their innings on 189-9 in their 40 overs.

The pick of the St. Andrews bowlers were J J Davies (3-26) and Adam Chilcot (2-21).

In reply, openers Nick Elkins (eight) and Ollie Brookes (32) put on 35 for the first wicket but soon collapsed to 63-5 against the bowling of Ross Pedley (4- 36).

However, a match-winning century partnership between Scott Lonsdale (64) and Ian Murray (44) ensured the win for St Andrews despite the best efforts of Gareth Court (2-16).