All to play for
22 Jul 2022 09:28
Published by:
Scott Callan
CHESHIRE County Cricket League passed the halfway stage of the season with all the divisions finely poised.
In the Premier League Nantwich and Alderley Edge found themselves in the chasing pack as Hyde made it six straight wins to ease clear at the top. Their run included a hammering of Bowdon.
While the Dabbers were drawing at home to Didsbury, Alderley recorded a third win in a row after a 42-run victory at Brooklands.
Sam Perry’s 93 was the key contribution in their 217-8, captain Charlie Reid chipping in with a 14-ball 30 before taking 4-46.
In the following week’s round of fixtures fourth-placed Nantwich went on to record an important win against fifth-placed Alderley.
An opening stand of 104 in 31 overs between Ed Foster and Sam Perry seemed to set the visitors up for a big total. Perry went on to hit 130 but the home side fought back to restrict AE to 225.
In trouble early in their reply, at one stage they were 24-3, the Dabbers recovered and 101 from Luke Robinson and 83 from Spencer Byatt in an unbeaten 204-run partnership saw them home in the 43rd over.
In Division One, Cheadle’s march towards an immediate return to the Premier Division continued apace with a 135-run demolition of Marple at Kingsway, the visitors losing their fifth game in a row as their bright start to 2022 continued to fade.
Three half-centuries (Nick Reid, Ben Marsden and Dan Brown) took the hosts to 250-7. Brown was one of four bowlers amongst the wickets as Marple struggled to 115.
Sale stayed third after a thrilling finish to their drawn game at Dane Road with Urmston. Also, in the division Lindow claimed victory over bottom side Bollington, who made 182-4 with Ben Gibson finishing 106 not out. Despite losing a wicket first ball, Lindow needed less than 33 overs to overtake their target, Ryan O’Brien making 87 and Johan Wessels 54 not out.
An unbroken third wicket stand of 98 between Greg Dixon (61) and Nick Cantello (56) took Bramhall to a valuable eight wicket win at Alvanley.
An even bigger third wicket stand of 168 between Jamie Matthews (114) and Johan Harms (90) took Timperley to 274- 5 against Macclesfield, for whom Jack Mattson’s 64 almost saved them after they lost 5-7 mid-inning. He was last man out in the 51st over as Timperley won by 57 runs, their third in four games.
Cheadle won their 10th game of the season, avenging their shock defeat at Macclesfield on the opening day with a crushing 145 run win. Adam Dooler (105) and Liam Fitzpatrick (127) put on 207 for the second wicket, Cheadle calling a halt at 271-5 before Macc were bowled out for 126.
Marple got a welcome first win in six with a narrow two wicket win over Congleton, who were 85-0 in the 19th but all out 215. Marple were also well placed at 93-0 in the 18th over, but a nervy scrap ensued before Joe Cash hit a final ball six to settle it.
The battle of the bottom two went decisively the way of Bramhall, Greg Dixon hitting an unbeaten 92 as they completed a comprehensive 8 wicket win over Bollington.
In Division Two Stockport Georgians lead the way, with Romiley and Cheadle Hulme in close pursuit. At the bottom end of the table Hale Barns prop up the table. In Division Three Stockport sat in third place 31 points behind leaders N.E. Cheshire.
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