Despite Longford Cricket club only being formed just two years ago, the growth in numbers playing cricket in the county has enabled Longford to start a second XI. The indications are that Longford will be looking to field this 2nd string side in the Leinster league next year.
With a mix of older heads and a selection of youngsters in the side, Longford fielded no less than six players who have not had a taste of 1st XI cricket in a friendly at Athlone CC.
Batting first, Athlone were restricted to 119 all out, the quick bowlers had a field day on a very green surface. 1st XI scorer Durgesh returning with the quite amazing figures of 4 wickets for just 5 runs off 5 overs, quite probably the performance of the season with the ball.
Shazad chipped in with 3 wickets, Nigel Paterson also took a magnificent catch off his own bowling. Despite a couple of other catches being dropped, Longford always thought that this was a target they could get.
The Longford innings started off badly, losing Jon Brier in the third over, but Cheema and Nigel put on a 90 partnership before both retiring. After a brief cameo from karl Washington, a steady knock from Michael Quinn and a couple of lusty blows from the bat of Abid got Longford over the line with the loss of just 3 wickets.
Longford cc Squad photo v Athlone
Standing: Michael Quinn, Qasim Rasool, Muhammad Abid, Nigel Paterson, Jonathan Brier, Shahzad Asim, Karl Washington, Durgesh Diwari, Seamus Donnelly, William Godfrey, Front row: Cheema Husain, Aqib Javed, Umar Sarfraz