Langholm lose out after leading return to action

Sadly, it proved something of an anti-climax, as the Borders side was bowled out for 37 and suffered defeat by nine wickets.

Langholm skipper, Graham Park, lost the toss and the Brampton hosts decided to take to the field, with the wicket on the damp side.

Park opened with himself and Stuart Duggan and it was Duggan who was the first to go, lbw to Allen for one in the fifth over, with six on the board.

Park soon followed him to the clubhouse (the outside of it) as he was about a yard short going for a second run.

This, reported the club website, left Langholm 7 for 2 even before the first antiseptic break.

Gregor Park joined Nicky Piszczykiewicz and they took the score up to 17 before Gregor was clean bowled for nine by Wright.

Next man in, Chris Stewart, added three before being bowled by Allen.

Then John Bell lost his leg bail to the slightest of glances for 0.

This left Langholm 22 for 5 after 11 overs.

After a scratchy innings for him, Nicky Piszczykiewicz fell for four, caught at point by Wright off Prichard.

Soon after, Hughie Donaldson was bowled for 0 by Prichard to leave Langholm 26 for 7.

The next to go was Ryan Johnstone, who was caught by Mitchelson off Cottrill for two, with the score on 29 for 8.

Jake Park joined Stevie Johnstone and they took the score to 36 before Jake was unlucky to be caught by Wright off Prichard for two.

Johnstone was the last man to go as he was bowled by Crabtree for four, with the score on 37 and Corey Park 0 not out.

It was a bit of a disastrous start to the season.

Lack of practice definitely showed and the wicket didn’t help, with the ball rising off a length in places.

The Cumbrians easily managed to overcome the Langholm total with the loss of only one wicket – that being Allen, who gave Ryan Johnstone the catch off his uncle Stevie’s bowling. The latter finished with figures of 1 for 15.

An improvement is hoped for as Langholm travel to Irthing Vale this weekend.