Langley Mill’s second squad crashed out of the Wright Cup in the semi final at neighbours Codnor on Sunday. In glorious conditions, in front of a large crowd, the hosts defended a modest 178 total to win by 21 runs.
After being put in by Millers’ skipper Rich Davey, Codnor started poorly losing Darron Brown, caught by Ryan Brunelleschi off Alex Bacon for five and Chris Beach, run out by Bacon for four with only 28 on the board.
Jonathan Woolley and Lee Colledge put the hosts back on top taking the score to 84 before Woolley was trapped leg before by Davey for 35. Colledge followed on 102, run out by Davey for 38.
On 107, Codnor lost their fifth wicket when Davey had Matthew Vincent leg before for three to give the bowler his fiftieth wicket of the season. Timmy Leo became Davey’s third on 119 when he was bowled for 10 and when the vastly experienced Neil Sparham was caught by Oliver Blake, off Steve Walker, for 27, the Millers were right on top with the scoreboard showing 139 for 7.
A late flurry by Mark Woolley (21 not out) added vital runs late on as Bacon ripped through the tail picking up Parry, caught by Walker for 15, Ben Wood, bowled for a single and Shaun Mills, bowled first ball.
Bacon returned the excellent figures of 4 for 36 and Davey’s three cost him 24. Walker picked up the other wicket at a cost of 50.
At tea, Codnor seemed confident they had a par score and the Millers didn’t help they chances with a very slow and cautious start. After 15 overs, the Millers only had 21 on the board with two wickets down. Nick Wright was first to go, leg before to Sparham for three and Bacon was caught by Mills, off Parry, for eight.
As the half way stage approached, the Millers lifted their game but lost their third wicket when the dangerous Neil Wing was well caught by keeper Vincent for 33 to give Sparham his second.
Andrew Ball and Craig Parker then took the Millers to 97 before Ball was bowled by Wood for a top-scoring 39. The visitors momentum faltered and the run rate started to climb as the Millers lost Rich Krupiak, bowled by Colledge for 8, and Craig Parker, run out for 24 after a mix-up in the middle.
At 118 for 6, the Millers were up against it, and matters got much worse when they lost Davey, bowled by Leo without scoring. With more than 12 an over needed, the tail had little chance to clinch the game. Walker hit an unbeaten 18, while Oliver Blake and Luke Rowley contributed eight apiece as the Millers were all out on 157.
For Codnor, Colledge was the pick with 2 for 20, Sparham returned 2 for 25 and Parry 2 for 39. Leo’s wicket came at a cost of 34 and Wood’s at a cost of 16.
Codnor now face Mickleover 2nds in the final at Elvaston Cricket Club on Sunday August 21st.
Scores: Codnor 178 all out [43.3 overs] (J Woolley 35, L College 38, R Davey 3-24, A Bacon 4-36) beat Langley Mill Utd 157 all out [43.3 overs] (N Wing 33, A Ball 39) by 21 runs
