Lympsham flying high

LYMPSHAM 1st XI hosted Patchway from South Gloucestershire, a club who were flying high in the senior division of the Bristol and District League not so many years ago.

Skipper Dave Luff won the toss and invited the visitors to bat, and they made steady progress, but when Jamie Howson was introduced to the attack, he joined with Simon Bailey in destroying the Patchway top and middle order.

The tail wagged a little, with Bishop and Hull fighting back, but it seemed too little too late, and the visitors total ended on a disappointing 152-8.

The Patchway bowlers were blitzed by openers Rich Ford and Lympsham Concrete man of the match Jason Parsons, who seemed in a hurry to take their post match shower. Ford hit a classy half century, while Parsons raced to 89 before losing his wicket, which contained 12 fours and four sixes. Jamie Howson joined Ford, and they finished the job off using just 16 of the allocated 45 overs.

This was another impressive performance, but Saturday will bring the biggest challenge yet, when Lympsham visit fellow high flyers Dyrham and Hinton.

Lympsham 2nd XI travelled to South Gloucestershire to take on Carsons, and they welcomed back their influential captain Ben Laing after injury, who won the toss and invited the hosts to bat.

This proved to be an inspired decision, as opening bowlers Simon Cowgill (2-12) and Academie Fiscale man of the match Steve Wilcox (4-44) were soon among the wickets. The introduction of Liam Morris (1-13) and Ben Laing (2-18) gave the hosts no respite, and Carsons were dismissed for 92 in just 25 overs, with only Digby (28) making a reasonable contribution. Andrew Hall gave a flawless wicket keeping display.

In reply, Phil Sheridan and Derek Evans were dismissed for ducks in quick succession, and the scoreboard showed 19-2 after just four overs, the visitors mood changed somewhat.

It was time for Rich Drew and Rod Simpson to show their experience, and by the time Simpson was dismissed for 39 in the 21st over, the match was safely in the bag. Drew carried his bat for 37, and Lympsham recorded a maximum points win.

Lympsham Sunday Development XI entertained Ipplepen from Devon, and skipper Mark Skidmore lost the toss and was invited to field.

The visitors made a solid start, and the third wicket partnership between Ireland, who carried his bat for 68, and Watkins, who scored a stylish 103 before being run out, ensured a total of 245-5 was posted in the allotted 40 overs.

The pick of the hosts' bowlers was Jack Luff (1-17) and Austin Petherham (1-25).

Lympsham openers Jamie Howson and Jack Luff gave their side the best possible start with an opening stand of 69 in just nine overs, and when Howson was dismissed for an excellent 48, Tom Gooding (32) joined Luff and they added a further 73 for the second wicket before Gooding was dismissed. A good third wicket partnership between Luff and Liam Morris (11) added a further 40 runs before Morris was well caught, but despite this setback Window Merchants man of the match Luff continued to hit the ball to all parts of the ground, while his partners came and left, and eventually he passed his maiden century, and aided by Will Astill (11) and the undefeated Austin Petheram, he carried his side through to victory with four balls to spare, carrying his bat for a majestic 132 not out.

JACK Luff (14), a pupil at Kings of Wessex School, Cheddar, has scored two centuries in two days.

His maiden century came on Sunday whilst playing for Lympsham against Ipplepen, Devon. After opening the innings he carried his bat for 132 not out including 18 fours and winning the game for Lympsham in the process.

The following evening he carried on his good form, batting at No 3 for Weston Under-15s against Winford, finishing on exactly 100 not including 14 fours and two sixes.

He comes from a well-known cricketing family, dad Dave captaining the Lympsham 1st team and sister Sophie having just returned from a tour to South Africa with the England Under-17s.