Ley Hill vs Lacey Green, 4th June 2005

Ley Hill fought a nerve-jangling winning draw against many people’s tip for the championship, Lacey Green on Saturday.

Choosing to bat first, Ley Hill started excitingly with Mark Curtis hitting a quick 16 before being bowled by Hedgland (2-34). This wicket was quickly followed by that of skipper Jon Lown (11) but despite a calm stand of 34 by Andy Rennard (27) and Kash Shakoor (34) Ley Hill were soon 83-5 and Lacey Green well on top. A very low score was prevented by an excellent, swashbuckling 64 by Kevin Phillips (left), ably supported by dogged tail-enders Ottaway (24) and Rothwell (15) that took the Hill to 212-9 at the end of their 45 overs.

Despite being hit for three sixes off one over, Neuman’s 4-61 was the Green’s best bowler.

Lacey Green sensed victory and their opening batsmen made it look easy with an impressive stand of 91 - the superb Mahmood going onto make 68 before being stumped by the always-dangerous Nick Lee.  The Green’s next three wickets fell for only 28 runs and it took Neuman – 46 from 47 balls – to re-establish their superiority.

Lown’s tidy spell of 3-59 from 11 overs and Craig Ottaway’s 3-41 left a nail-biting last over – the Hill needing one wicket and the Green 19 runs.  Ottaway was unlucky not to get the last wicket but bowled a maiden to get Ley Hill a winning draw.

A winning draw for Ley Hill
Ley Hill: 212 for 9 (Phillips 64, Kash Shakoor 34)
Lacey Green: 194 for 8 (Ottaway 3 for 41, Lown 3 for 59)

Click here for the scorecard