Langley Mill’s first team destroyed relegation threatened Lullington Park by 219 runs at Station Road on Saturday to go into the final day with a chance of pipping Ockbrook & Borrowash to the Division 3 title. With their main promotion rivals losing, the Millers secured a spot in Division 2 for the 2012 season.
On a showery day, Lullington won the toss and asked the Millers to bat first on a green track which looked likely to favour the bowler. Openers Jamie Salmons and Paul Bailey weren’t troubled by the track, or the intermittent showers, and put on 191 before Salmons was spectacularly caught by Adam Johnson, off Will Smith’s bowling, for an excellent 102, which included 20 fours.
Sajendra Thimal didn’t last long, bowled by Smith for 8, and with the score on 224, Jeff Wharton (7) was unlucky to glove a Johnson beamer straight to keeper Steve Rothwell.
With overs running out, the Millers batsmen stepped on the gas and lost Jay Holmes, bowled by Rob Hodson-Walker for 6. Bailey was fifth out with the score on 250, caught by Hodson-Walker, off Smith, for 107, his 124 ball knock containing 14 fours and 4 sixes.
The final wicket to fall was that of Dave Farnsworth, caught by Rothwell for 2 to give Hodson-Walker his second. The Millers final score of 257 for 6 looked enough in the blustery conditions.
For the visitors, Smith returned figures of 3 for 71 and Hodson-Walker 2 for 13.
In reply, Lullington were completely outclassed after a shower during tea had freshened up the surface. Only Bill Arnold with 14 not out reached double figures as the visitors slumped to a depressing 38 all out.
Farnsworth grabbed four wickets at a cost of 22, while Wharton was almost unplayable, returning figures of 6 for 13 as the Millers wrapped up the game in the 15th over.
Scores: Langley Mill Utd (27pts) 257-6 [46 overs] (P Bailey 107, J Salmons 105, W Smith 3-71) beat Lullington Park (3pts) 38 all out [14.1 overs] (J Wharton 6-13, D Farnsworth 4-22) by 219 runs
