CRICKET: Lechlade stay top of the league

9:56am Wednesday 2nd July 2008

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LEAGUE leaders Lechlade made possibly their last visit to the Westinghouse ground a winning one on Saturday.

Westinghouse, who are hoping to ground-share with Grittleton once the property developers move in, won the toss and invited the visitors to bat on a soft wicket.

Gareth Williams and Fred Richardson opened the innings for Lechlade, Williams being the more cautious, especially against the ever reliable Jon Cleverly (1-29), while Richardson hit six fours in his 41.

Richardson was the the first to go with the score on 78, one of Lechlade's better starts this year. Chandana Pushy' Pushpalal was beaten in the flight by Sam Dix for one, but any thoughts of a collapse were dispelled as the free-scoring Ross Jeffels joined Williams before the latter was out for a dogged 37 with the score on 110.

Roger Pettifer joined Jeffels and put together a partnership of 70 in quick time. Jeffels, who was out for a typically aggressive 45, took the lead early while Pettifer got into his stride later on. Nigel Pearce joined Pettifer as Lechlade looked to achieve full batting points for the first time this season.

Mission achieved as Pettifer finished on an unbeaten 69 and Nigel on 19 not out with Lechlade closing on an imposing 232-4 from their 45 overs.

With Pushy bowling both openers and Jeffels picking up a wicket in a spell of 1-29, the hosts were soon up against it. Despite the efforts of Steven Hawker (36), and Paul Bailey (32), Westinghouse were struggling to get a large partnership.

In an effort to secure bonus bowling points, Lechlade captain Paul Rowley used a number of bowlers of varying abilities - though there was a good spell by young Joe Griffin. Although wickets were being obtained, Westinghouse captain Christian Fry (52) and Sam Dix (34) prospered, and it was left to the returning Pushy (5-33) to attempt to bowl out Westinghouse, who finished on 204-8.