Hale Independent Issue 196

SEPTEMBER 2026 20 Independent LOCAL SPORT EXPERIENCED striker Kane Hemmings has joined Altrincham. The 34-year-old moves to The J.Davidson Stadium after spending last season in League Two with Barrow, and goes straight into first team contention. On joining the Robins, Hem- mings says: “I’m really happy to get this move over the line and I’m looking forward to get- ting started. “My first training session was positive. It was great to meet all the lads and coaching staff and I can’t wait to play in front of the fans.” Boss Neil Gibson says on the club’s ninth new addition of the season: “Kane’s a player I’ve watched for a long time and he has great experience both in the EFL and the top levels in Scotland. SALE Cricket Club’s under-15s have been crowned champi- ons of the Cheshire High Peak League this season, beating Macclesfield in the league play-off final by five wickets at Bredbury StMarks CC. The team went undefeated all season, finishing above 21 other sides from across the Cheshire High Peak region to be crowned champions. The vast majority of the team have been together since starting their cricketing journey at Sale on the ECB’s All Stars programme seven or eight years ago, and their success this year is testament to their continued hard work, ability, and enthusiasm for the game. Co-coach and team man- ager, Chris Dyson, said: “Everyone at Sale CC is delightedby the success of our U15s this season in finishing champions of a very challeng- ing High Peak league, that features a number of strong junior teams from the High Peakand surrounding region.” ALTRINCHAMracer Chris Needhamadded twomore wins to his impressive tally during the penultimate event of the Legends Cars Championship at Oulton Park, underlining his cre- dentials for the 2026 title. Running as part of the sin- gle-day US Autoshow festival at the Cheshire venue, the 5/8 scale Legends Cars pro- duced maximum entertain- ment across their three races around the full International Circuit configuration – and also delighted fans during a special grid walk. Needham, continuing the incredible form he showed during the previous event at Snetterton, in Norfolk, where he won five of six races there, started raceday at Oulton precisely how he wanted to with victory in Heat One from 15th on the grid – but the margin could not have been closer, a mere 0.001secs. In Heat Two, Needham lined up third on the grid and emerged triumphant after a strong battle with chief title rival, and reigning Legends Cars champion, Tyler Read. This time, the winning gap was only 0.2secs. Needham looked set to potentially make it a sen- sational hat-trick of wins in the Round 11 final, but on lap eight some contact dropped him to fifth from the lead. Fired up, he pumped in the fastest race lap on the last lap so moved back into the top three before the finish. There are now only six races remaining in this year’s Legends Cars Champion- ship battle. Rounds 12 and 13 of the sea- son will take place at Doning- ton Park Grand Prix Circuit, in Leicestershire, across the weekend of September 26/27. HRITHVIK Prakash made Timperley Cricket Club his- tory, scoring a century at just 14 years of age. Archives have been searched and there is no record of a player hitting the milestone at second-team level. The Lancashire Under-14s starlet notched 15 fours on his way to 110, but it was not enough as the home side’s total of 270 was overtaken with four balls to spare by Brooklands. That was despite an excel- lent spell of 4-48 from spin ace Joe Clark – a performance described as out- standing by skipper Shahnawaz Khan, who was upset by six dropped catches he reckoned ultimately cost them the much- needed victory. Khan was how- ever full of praise for Prakash, describ- ing the young bats- man’s show in front of a bumper crowd as “fantastic from a player with a very bright future”. Another teenager in the runs was Zach Thompson, who top-scored with 127 in a narrow defeat at Alder- ley Edge. LOCAL CRICKET ROUND-UP BOLLINGTON are cele- brating after winning the Cheshire County Cricket League Division One championship to earn promotion to the elite Premier Division for the first time in the club’s 141- year history. Bol l ing t on secured their place at the top table with a comfortable seven wicket home win over rele- gated Alvanley. Alvanley were shot out for just 89 with Harri Dickinson almost unplayable with fig- ures of 6-26. Fittingly, skipper Richard Hough eased his side home with an unbeaten 39. The title race in the Pre- mier Division is still up for grabs as the season enters its final week. At the top Nantwich are six points clear of Cheadle after a two wicket win over Brooklands. Batting first, Brooklands made a useful 230 (Scott Wardley 4-32) but the leaders edged home by reaching 231/8 with 3.5 overs to spare. Ali Chughtai made 44 and Rob Jones 57. Cheadle had an 81-run win at Lindow who were dis- missed for 106 in reply to the visitor’s 187 all out. One-time leaders Didsbury ended a run of three succes- sive defeats by beating Alder- ley Edge by seven wickets. Alderley Edge were all out for 213 as Didsbury got home by seven wickets to stay in third place in the table. Elsewhere in the top divi- sion, there was a four wicket win for Chester Broughton Hall over second bottom Bramhall. Opener Ashley West made 32 as Bramhall were all out for 160. Andrew McFarlane’s 66 helped Broughton Hall reach 164/6. Zach Thompson was left stranded on 99 as Timperley beat Neston by one wicket. Martiz hit 95 as Neston posted 252/7 with Timperley getting home on 253/9. Back in Division One, Widnes are also promoted despite a six wicket defeat at Bowdon. Widnes were bowled out for 242 but thanks to Ashwin Sharma (95) and Joe Chapple (66no) saw Bowdon home on 245/4. Ned Bailey smashed 94 in Stockport Georgians big 135-run victory at Marple. Bailey’s knock helped Geor- gians to a total of 238/9. Mar- ple were shot out for 103 with Amin taking 3-11. Macclesfield had a three wicket win over Port Sunlight who were dismissed for 147. Matthew Fielding top scored with 38 and James Longhorn (32) and Alex Thomson (32no) sawMacclesfield reach 149/7. In Division Two Romiley beat relegated Ashley by 48 runs and Cheadle Hulme beat Tattenhall by 15 runs. In Div ision Three Winnington Park beat Bred- bury St Mary’s by one wicket. Bredbury posted 113/4 and even though Winnington lost nine wickets they squeaked home on 114/9. Cheshire Cricket League Division One leaders Stock- port Trinity thumped Wood- ford by 10 wickets in a low-scoring clash. Woodford were all out for a paltry 21 in 17 overs with Tom Atkin- son doing most of the damage with 8-11. Lymm Oughtrington Park had a healthy 104-run win over Bowdon Vale. Lymm made 194/9 but Bowdon Vale could onlymanage 90 in reply. Barnton defeated North- wich by 49 runs. Barnton were 151 all out but North- wich were all out for 101. In Division Two Apple- ton beat Prestbury by 101 runs; Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge had a three- wicket success over Chester County Officers and table toppers Holmes Chapel beat Offerton by 35 runs. Wins- ford conceded their match against Cholmondley. In North Staffs and Chesh- ire South Division One, Big- nall End beat Congleton by six wickets. Sandbach, second bot- tom in Division Two, were beaten by 101 runs by New- castle and Hartshill. Chasing 216/7, Sandbach were all out for 115. BOLLINGTON ARE ON THE UP AND UP Teenager Hrithvik makes Timperley club history with century (Image: Timperley CC) Teenager hits ton Cricket champs Chris in championship race New Altrincham striker Kane Hemmings (Image: Altrincham FC) STRIKE FORCE Much-travelled forward straight into contention “We’ve been looking to add to the squad to help the players at the top end of the pitch. After meeting Kane it was clear he has the desire to come and help drive the team forward. “He’s someone who in and around the box has a good eye for goal, he’s given the play- ers a lift in training already, he’s looked quite sharp and we’ll excited to add him to the squad.” Following a youth career split between Tamworth and Glasgow Rangers, the new number 28 hit the ground running in senior football with Cowdenbeath and Dun- dee, before continuing his goal scoring form in the EFL with Oxford United, Mansfield Town, Notts County and Bur- ton Albion. In the past four seasons Kane, who is closing in on 500 senior appearances in English and Scottish football, played in League One and League Two with Stevenage, Tranmere Rovers, Crewe Alexandra and Barrow.