Captain Dove plays leading role to seal impressive victory (From Leigh Journal)

Captain Dove plays leading role to seal impressive victory

2:11pm Thursday 18th June 2009

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LEIGH Cricket Club’s first team returned to winning ways in the Liverpool and District Competition’s Division One against Liverpool on a sun-soaked, run-filled afternoon at Beech Walk.

A vociferous home crowd were treated to an entertaining display of positive batting, with both sides taking full advantage of a flat wicket and a quick outfield.

The visitors elected to bat after winning the toss, starting in a circumspect manner.

Greenwood bowled with pace and hostility, but it was the swing of Karl Brown that got the breakthrough with the score on five.

However thanks to McDonald’s 67, Liverpool were able to set a platform for somewhat of an onslaught before tea.

The visitors’ overseas professional Davidson raced to a blistering 78 before being run out as Leigh’s youthful fielding unit continued to impress.

Liverpool eventually declared on 253 for nine after 54.2 overs with Brown taking three for 45, Grundy two for 41 and Vallance two for 46.

Leigh’s 15-year-old leg-spinner Mattie McKiernan bowled a controlled and skilful 14-over spell without reward.

In reply the hosts were indebted to a marvellous captain’s innings from Dave Dove who, along with Paul Keenan (22), enjoyed the extra pace offered by the opening spell of Kiwi Davidson.

Lancashire batsman Brown continued his impressive form with an infallible run-a-ball 36 before falling to a breathtaking diving catch by Davidson at mid-wicket.

At 107-3 and with a vocal crowd behind them, Dove and wicketkeeper Davies formed what proved to be a match-winning partnership worth 137 runs.

As Dove continued to tick over his score steadily, 16-year-old Joe Davies took the game away from the visitors plundering an unforgiving 80 off 69 balls that included 11 fours and one six.

With victory in touching distance, Davies was finally dismissed leaving Dove to carry his team and his bat to an impressive victory after only 45.2 overs.

Leigh’s captain showed great concentration, finishing unbeaten on a near faultless 80 from 136 balls.

His young side now look forward to Friday’s Twenty/20 match at home to Spring View before travelling to Skelmersdale for Saturday’s league fixture.

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