Lintz lose way in title race

Aug 29 2007 Evening Chronicle

Forster's North and Tyneside Senior League

IT WAS almost inevitable that at least one of the top-four title contenders would fall by the wayside over the double Bank Holiday programme.

And it was Lintz who came out on the wrong side of two difficult games to see their championship hopes all but disappear.

It was the first game of the weekend that dulled their spirits when they gave a superb account of themselves entertaining leaders Tynedale, but came out an agonising four runs short in a game where 524 were scored in all.

The visitors posted a massive 264 for five on the back of a glorious century from Scott Kay, but Lintz produced their usual exciting challenge with valuable contributions from many of their batsmen, highlighted with a half-century from opener Stuart Clennell.

But in the desperate late stages their last man was run out and the chance of a dramatic victory was gone.

They followed up with a game against second-placed Leadgate on Monday and looked to have the upper hand after Michael Edmunds (4-15) and Graeme Clennell (3-40) had held the home batsmen to 174. But this time Lintz struggled as they lost early wickets and it was only Anthony Ward (57no) who held the reply together.

However, with Anderson and Stewart claiming three wickets to hand their team a 31-run victory.

On Saturday, Leadgate posted 226 against Annfield Plain who were bowled out for just 83.

With Tynedale quickly disposing of Shotley Bridge on Monday thanks to Henry Twizell’s five-wicket burst, and Swalwell picking up two wins over the weekend, the top of the table now sees Leadgate join these two in the final showdown.