Lea and Roses fall against resilient Welbeck outfit

The thirds’ game with Anston was cancelled with the opposition unable to raise a side, handing Lea and Roses the full 20 points.

The firsts were beaten at home by a resilient Welbeck II side and the seconds took six points from their encounter with Papplewick and Linby III.

In the first team game, the visitors won the toss and decided to bowl.

Their decision was justified as Lea and Roses lost the wicket of Chris Needham early doors, and Lee Mardle to leave the score 17-2.

The Matt Snee and James Cooper partnership of 32 came to an end with Cooper being caught.

Richard Keightley added a further 10 to the board until a slump saw Lea and Roses lose Snee, Smith and Keightley for only two runs.

At 62-6 Daniel Clay and Andy Dewick were mindful that there were plenty of overs to be played out, however they looked to try and build the score.

Dewick added seven before falling to a good caught and bowled.

This didn’t shift the momentum Wellbeck’s way entirely as Ed Cooke joined Clay and looked solid in a 29-run partnership that saw the score past 100 before Clay was bowled.

Gary Andrews was next in and after seeing Cooke’s good knock of 23 come to and end, he saw out the innings with Andy Orton to leave Lea and Roses with 129-9.

In reply Lea and Roses bowlers Ben Smith and James Cooper caused the Wellbeck openers problems and Smith bagged the wickets of both.

At 11-2 this was exactly the start Lea and Roses needed and it got better when Cooper was rewarded with one to make the score 24-3.

However, Wellbeck were resilient and despite Smith taking a third wicket, the score kept edging up.

Andy Dewick got a couple of wickets, coupled with a tight spell from Gary Andrews at the other end, but Welbeck came back from 93-6 and wrestled the momentum back their way.

Smith’s fourth wicket was too late as Wellbeck met the required 130 to win.

The second team dismissed Papplewick and Linby III for 171.

Zac Metcalfe and Jake Hutchinson took seven wickets between them, with John Tittley taking three catches.

In reply Lea and Roses ended on 153 all out from 35 overs.

Shaun Metcalfe top scored with 49.