The Sunday 3rdXI ultimately had too much in the locker on a warm pleasant day in Bradford that contrasted batting styles.
The “away” side (on home soil due to Lightcliffe ground the rescheduled fixture) won the start and end parts of their innings, with some hard hitting on a ground that gave value to batsmen who broke the inner cordon .

Lightcliffe’s bowling highlights were a solid 3-39 from 17 year old Conor Butterworth whose latter spell was well controlled and the mercurial “Cricket Badger” Gary Lewsley whose mid innings 3-12 again defied physics as at times the ball seemed to halt mid flight to bewilder batsmen. An early wicket for 13 year of Gurdass Singh reinforced his promise, but any width on a low bouncing deck was heavily punished.

Park Chapel ‘s lower order batted well, to rescue a mid-innings demise as 5 wickets were lost for 30 runs and saw recovery with an 8th wicket stand of 61 as top score Gray (43) used both edges and the middle of the bat, in equal measure to set a par total.

Skipper Bruce Lunn’s contrasting classical style profited from the fast outfield in a stylish 62, whilst 2ndXI captain’s David Knight’s cameo (in a guest appearance who along with Mick Wood answered the call to ensure a full XI) set a platform but was halted before he could get out of 2nd gear.

Dan Clough thence grabbed the mantle to continue a fine season with the bat. Straight drives and strong running were in order in his second half century for the Sunday side ensured Lightcliffe were dominant. Supported for a 40 run 4th wicket stand by Josh Stringer (24), the team were not troubled in reaching the target.

Lightcliffe’s inability to bowl out opponents (with their fourth 9 wicket haul of the season, at the cost of 16 points) may yet be as sting in the tail in a strong season for a side who remain I contention second placed in the league but continue to lose ground due on the leaders.

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