Help
Neston beat Bramhall who join Cheadle and Cheadle Hulme in First Division
| Published: 31st August 2010 14:59 |
ON a day when all other ECB Premier League matches were cut short by rain, Neston emerged the beneficiaries, scoring a 25 points home victory over Bramhall while the two leading clubs Hyde and Nantwich were held to a draw and beaten respectively.
Cricket ball
With two games remaining, the Parkgate men now trail by only eight points after a convincing victory over relegated Bramhall, led by skipper Jack Smith's inspiring innings of 122. Neston declared on 207-6, then bowled Bramhall out for 178, Andrew Hall 36.
Hyde stay top after a marginal winning draw (13 points to12) at Alderley Edge which lost eight overs to rain. They declared on 220-9, with 58 from Dave Fitzsimmons and 40 to Danny Berry, while Alan Day took 3-35. Alderley Edge reached 203-6, Day 73 and Jonathan Usher 53 not out, Adam Worrall 34, the Day - Worrall partnership raising 104 for the second wicket
Didsbury shock for Dabbers
Nantwich trail six points behind in second spot after losing for the first time in 14 games at home to Didsbury in the day's shock result.
Nantwich posted a handsome 237-4 in 52 overs, George Cairns 90 not out, Chris Simpson 42 and Didsbury - lying 10th and dismissed for 71 and 122 in their last two games - slumped to 52-4 in reply. They went on to close at 240-6, however, thanks to a magnificent partnership of 146 for the fifth wicket between Greg Dixon (run out for 112) and all-rounder Nick Anderson (75 not out), who had taken a hat-trick for Cheshire 2nd against Leicestershire in mid-week.
According to umpires Alistair Davies and Jon Hacking the teams did not let the importance of the fixture get to them: "It was a wonderful game, played in true spirit" they reported.
Oulton Park slipped to fourth place when their game against Oxton at Little Budworth was abandoned at a crucial juncture. Park declared on 188-9, Louis Bentley 54, Sean Moore 5-65 and Oxton had reached an interesting 136-4, Mark Rowland 51, Chris Davies 37, with 18 overs remaining and a short boundary beckoning when the elements intervened.
Bowdon eased their relegation worries with a winning draw (14 - 8) against Chester Boughton Hall at South Downs road. Bowdon declared on 214-6, Lancashire Academy batsman Jordan Clark (72) and skipper Carl Hey (69) leading the way. Chester's reply lost 17 overs to rain and they had posted 158-8 by the close, Steve Ogilby 46, Hey 4-61, Gareth Edwards 4-75.
Urmston had the better of a home draw with Toft (16 -6) in a match of only 60 overs' duration. They declared at 186-4, Sean Clarence 71, Samit Panda 40, Toft responding with 103-8, Toby Drummond 41, Ian Grindley 4-25.
o The scorer of 24 runs opening the Urmston batting was Craig Grindley, who landed at Heathrow
Airport from Australia at 6 a.m. and rushed to Manchester to make his first appearance for the club in two years after special clearance by the League. It looks as though his return from Perth will be too late as Urmston currently lie 16 points below the safety zone
ANOTHER GOOD WIN: Another fine innings of 72 by Boughton Hall's prolific batsman Warren Goodwin helped Lancashire 2nd reach the final of the County 2nd XI Trophy against Middlesex at Radlett on Bank Holiday Monday. The team also included Louis Bentley (Oulton Park) and Rob Woolley (Hyde).
THE TOP FOUR: REMAINING FIXTURES AT A GLANCE:
1. HYDE currently on 336 points: Neston home; Bramhall away;
2. NANTWICH 332 points: Chester away; Oxton home
3. NESTON 328 points: Hyde away; Didsbury home
4. OULTON PARK 321 points: Toft away; Urmston home
Christleton setback for Widnes
CHRISTLETON virtually assured their safety from First Division relegation and landed a blow to Widnes' promotion hopes with a surprise 52 runs victory over the leaders at Little Heath.
Man of the match was Christleton's Pakistani all-rounder Ifti Naseer, who top-scored with 30 in his side's 163 (Tom Evans 4-43), then took 5-29 off eight destructive overs to send Widnes packing for 111 with only six points.
Macclesfield moved into second place 16 points behind Widnes with a fine five wickets home win against Poynton in a match which lost two chunks to rain. Paul Gould (82) batted splendidly to help Poynton post 174, Craig Melrose 4-31. Then Macc's in-form all-rounder Rob Porter gave the visiting bowlers a pasting with a rapid 61 in a reply of 177-5 which earned his side 25 invaluable points.
Grappenhall were foiled of likely victory when the last eight overs of their home game against Bollington were lost to rain. They piled up 204-9, Richard Green 50, Steve Plant 5-54, Aldo Palazzo 4-85 and Bolly had reached 129-8 off 42 overs when the game ended, Ian Hall taking 5-52. Grappers pocketed 16 points and now trail Macclesfield by three.
133 not out for Aussie Passas
Irby rose one place off the foot of the table and gave themselves a chance of staying in the division with an overwhelming 128 runs win against Cheadle Hulme at Mill Hill Road. Bill Passas scored a fluent unbeaten 133 in Irby's 260-1 declared compiled in just 45 overs. The Sydneysider put on 145 for the first wicket with Chris McGinn (55), then an unbroken 115 with Dave Newman, 58 not out. Cheadle Hulme were bowled out for 132, Steve Hurworth 4-27, Mark Newman 3-35.
Middlewich also did themselves a power of good with an important home win over Upton, who go bottom. Upton were bowled out for 102 by Phil Davies, 4-28 and Vishy Bhardwa, 3-26, after which Middlewich scraped home at 103-8, the consistent Stephen Parry's 52 proving a match-winning innings. Simon McGowan took 4-17.
A serious blow for Upton is the loss of outstanding Kiwi all-rounder George Earl, who has damaged knee ligaments and will play no more before leaving for home.
The Cheadle v Heaton Mersey match was cancelled due to waterlogging at Kingsway. Remarkably, it was the first fixture not started in any division of the League since May 29th.
Division 2
Marple and Sale promoted
CONGRATULATIONS to the Second Division's Marple and Sale who have become the first clubs in the League to clinch promotion.
Marple topped the 400 points mark with their 14th victory, by 30 runs over Timperley at Bowden Lane and are hot favourites to clinch the title next Saturday when they visit wooden-spoonists Ashton on Mersey and Sale - currently 24 points adrift - go to Bredbury. Then they host Sale on the final day.
Marple declared on 178-6 off 42 overs, James Crisall 68, Garry Cash 46 and Timperley made a decent fist of their reply of 148, Peter Herrick 45. Andy Greasley added to his huge bag of wickets with 4-38, while skipper Matt Shelton chipped in with 3-25.
Sale mustered only nine points from a ram-ravaged game against Warrington at Walton Lea on a day when the town's Rugby League club, the Warriors, were attracting most pavilion spectators by their Challenge Cup victory over Leeds . T. Jones top-scored with 60 in Warrington's 153-7 declared, then Sale's reply was wrecked by rain stoppages before closing on 143-9 in 34 overs. Steve Heydon performing a hat-trick in his 4-53 return with two lbws then bowling Sale skipper Jamal Benzafar first ball. There were nine points for both sides in a match which umpire Brian Jones reports only took place because of the spirited work of the Warrington players.
The end for Ashton on Mersey?
Bredbury St. Mark's look likely to finish fourth after a five runs home victory over Ashton on Mersey.
The Hillside road club were bowled out for 139, Chris Wood 58, Paul Wood 55, Antony Roscow 4-35, but then Ashton's batsmen again let their bowlers down, losing all 10 wickets for 134. Chris Wood completed a fine match with 4-42.
While last season's Meller Braggins League champions now look certain to return to whence they came, 2009 runners-up Congleton have done much better, the 78 runs home win over Birkenhead Park being their 10th of a campaign which President Mike Kitton rightly regards as "very satisfactory". Congleton totted up 181, Aaron Browe 62, Jerrym Lamb 51, Adam Watson 6-51. Park were then bowled out for a disappointing 103, Aneeq Hassan 38, outstanding Kiwi Lamb 3-32.
Birkenhead remain in trouble, eight points ahead of Stockport Georgians who lost by four wickets at home to Brooklands after declaring on 144-9, Matthew Naughtin 33, Paul Vesey 5-65. Brooklands edged home with three balls of the last over to spare at 148-6 after being 66-6 (Dave Madden 40). Their recovery was down to Tom Holloway (52) and Paul Garnett (25) who put together an unbroken seventh-wicket stand worth 72.
Mobberley can almost certainly look forward to County League cricket again in 2011, their recent improved form continuing at home to Tattenhall. Only John Hope, 37, put up much resistance against the outstanding bowling of Phil Burrell who had the remarkable figures of 9.1-3-22-7 to dismiss Tattenhall for 112. Mobberley countered with 116-1 in 33 overs, M. Saeed 64, Nathan Wood 40 not out.
Saturday's results in detail
ECB PREMIER LEAGUE
ALDERLEY EDGE (won toss, 12 pts.) drew with HYDE (13 pts.):
Hyde 220-9 dec. (55 overs: D. Fitzsimmons 58, D. Berry 40, M. Makin 34, A. Day 3-35);
Alderley Edge 203-6 (47 overs: A. Day 73, J. Usher 53no, A. Worrall 34, D. Fitzsimmons 3-24).
Game reduced to 102 overs
BOWDON (toss, 14 pts.) drew with CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL (8 pts.):
Bowdon 214-6 dec. (51 overs: J Clark 72, C. Hey 68);
Chester Boughton Hall 158-8 (34 overs: S Ogilby 46, C Hey 4-61, G. Edwards 4-75).
Game reduced to 85 overs
NANTWICH (toss, 11 pts.) lost to DIDSBURY (25 pts.) by 4 wickets:
Nantwich 237-4 dec. (52 overs: G. Cairns 90no, C. Simpson 42, N. Ahmed 36, R. Doyle 36);
Didsbury 240-6 (51 overs: G. Dixon 112, N. Anderson 75no = 146 for fifth wicket, B. Browne 3-55).
Game reduced to 104 overs
NESTON (25 pts.) beat BRAMHALL (toss, 6 pts.) by 29 runs:
Neston 207-6 dec. (50 overs: J. Smith 122, S. Wilkinson 4-55);
Bramhall 178 (54 overs: A. Hall 36, N. Cantello 30).
OULTON PARK (toss, 14 pts.) drew with OXTON (10 pts.)
Oulton Park 188-9 dec. (45 overs: L. Bentley 54, S. Moore 5-65);
Oxton 136-4 (27 overs: M. Rowland 51, C. Davies 37).
Match abandoned with 18 overs remaining of game already reduced to 90.
URMSTON (toss, 16 pts.) drew with TOFT (6 pts.):
Urmston 186-4 dec. (30 overs: S. Clarence 71, S. Panda 40);
Toft 103-8 (30 overs: T. Drummond 41, I. Grindley 4-25, S. Panda 3-30).
Game reduced to 60 overs
FIRST DIVISION
CHEADLE (7 pts.) v HEATON MERSEY (7 pts.): match cancelled due to rain.
CHRISTLETON (toss, 24 pts.) beat WIDNES (6 pts.) by 52 runs:
Christleton 163 (47 overs: I. Naseer 30, T. Evans 4-43);
Widnes 111 (46 overs: I. Naseer 5-29).
GRAPPENHALL (toss, 16 pts.) drew with BOLLINGTON (9 pts.):
Grappenhall 204-9 dec. (50 overs: R. Green 50, L. McCoy 32, S. Plant 5-54, A. Palazzo 4-84);
Bollington 129-8 (42 overs: I. Hall 5-52, S. Titchard 3-31).
Game reduced to 92 overs
IRBY (toss, 25 pts.) beat CHEADLE HULME (3 pts.) by 128 runs:
Irby 260-1 dec. (45 overs: W. Passas 133no, C. McGinn 55 = opening partnership of 145, D. Newman 58no); Cheadle Hulme 132 (47 overs: S. Hurworth 4-27).
MACCLESFIELD (25 pts.) beat POYNTON (toss, 11 pts.) by 5 wickets:
Poynton 174 (43 overs: P. Gould 82, M. Coran 33, C. Melrose 4-31, R. Porter 3-15); Macclesfield 177-5 (37 overs: R. Porter 61, T. Parfett 33).
Game reduced to 84 overs
MIDDLEWICH (toss, 20 pts.) beat UPTON (6 pts.) by 2 wickets:
Upton 102 (41 overs: D. Warburton 30, P. Davies 4-28, V. Bhardwa 3-26); Middlewich 103-8 (51 overs: S. Parry 52, S. McGowan 4-17).
SECOND DIVISION
BREDBURY ST. MARK's (won toss, 24 pts.) beat ASHTON on MERSEY (8 pts.) by 5 runs:
Bredbury St. Mark's 139 (37 overs: C.Wood 58, P.Wood 55, A. Roscoe 4-35, A. Rai 3-32);
Ashton on Mersey 134 (36.4 overs, two balls remaining: C. Wood 4-42, G. Dickson 3-23).
Game reduced to 74 overs
CONGLETON (toss, 24 pts.) beat BIRKENHEAD PARK (6 pts.) by 78 runs:
Congleton 181 (50 overs: A. Browe 62, J. Lamb 51, A. Watson 6-51);
Birkenhead Park 103 (39 overs: A. Hassan 38, C. Stenhouse 30), J. Lamb 3-32).
MARPLE (25 pts.) beat TIMPERLEY (6 pts.) by 30 rubns:
Marple 178-6 dec. (42 overs: J. Crisall 68, G. Cash 46, N. Brown 3-87);
Timperley 148 (42 overs: P. Herrick 45, A. Greasley 4-38, M. Shelton 3-25).
Game reduced to 84 overs
MOBBERLEY (25 pts.) beat TATTENHALL (toss, 3 pts.) by 9 wickets:
Tattenhall 112 (45 overs: J. Hope 37, P. Burrell 7-22);
Mobberley 116-1 (33 overs: M. Saeed 64, N.Wood 40no).
STOCKPORT GEORGIANS (toss, 9 pts.) lost to BROOKLANDS (25 pts.) by 4 wickets:
Stockport Georgians 144-9 dec. (40 overs: M. Naughtin 33, P. Vesey 5-65); Brooklands 148-6 (39.3 overs, three balls left: T Holloway 52no, D. Madden 40, I. Hussain 3-42).
Game reduced to 80 overs
WARRINGTON (toss, 9 pts.) drew with SALE (9 pts.):
Warrington 153-7 dec. (50 overs: T. Jones 60, J. Hughes 32, M. Halkon 5-20);
Sale 143-9 (36 overs: S. Heydon 4-53 including hat-trick).
Game reduced to 86 overs
PICK OF WEEK
ECB Premiership
Batting: Jack Smith (Neston) 122 v Bramhall
Bowling: Ian Grindley (Urmston) 4-25 v Toft
All-rounder: Carl Hey (Bowdon) 68 and 4-61 v Chester Boughton Hall
First Division
Batting: o Bill Passas (Irby) 133 not out v Cheadle Hulme
Bowling: oIfti Naseer (Christleton) 5-29 v Widnes
All-rounder: oIfti Naseer (Christleton) 30 and 5-29 v Widnes
Second Division
Batting: James Crisall (Marple) 68 v Timperley
Bowling: Phil Burrell (Mobberley) 7-22 v Tattenhall
All-rounder: oJerrym Lamb (Congleton) 51 and 3-22 v Birkenhead Park
Tell - tale tables after 20 games .....
only two weeks to go
ECB T20 COCKSPUR CUP
Chester one step from Rose Bowl
FOLLOWING their epic Area final success at Wood Lane, Chester Boughton Hall move on to the ECB Cockspur T20 Cup West Midlands and North Regional final against Liverpool Competition giants Bootle at Filkins Lane on Sunday (1.30 p.m.). The match manager is League secretary Geoff Wellsteed.
Sunday's winners qualify for National Finals Day on the Test ground at Southampton Rose Bowl on Thursday, September 23rd which will be televised live on Sky. The champions there qualify for a 10 days all expenses paid holiday in Barbados courtesy of sponsors Cockspur Rum.
Last time Chester met Bootle they lost a Liverpool Echo Cup game earlier in the season, but says chairman Jim Law: "We have learned a thing or two about Twenty20 cricket since then and gained a lot of experience. We shall be ready".
Bowler Alex Kegg was married on Sunday, but will be available for the Bootle match, but missing is key all-rounder Ollie Law on holiday abroad.
The other Regional finals on Sunday are not as cut and dried and involve multiple fixtures. Up-to-date information from ECB is as follows:
North region: York (Yorkshire League) v South Northumberland (North-West premier) v Richmondshire (North Yorks & South Durham) play-off on Sunday, September 5th; winners visit Bracebridge (Lincs) on September 12th.
South East & East Midlands region: Swardeston (East of England premier) v South Woodford (Essex premier) v Sully Centurions (South Wales premier) v Ealing (Middlesex) play-off on Sunday, August 29th. Winners visit Oundle Town (Northants premier) on Sunday, September 5th.
South-West & South region: Frocester (West of England premier) v St. Just (Cornwall). Winners meet Wimbledon (Surrey championship) all games on Sunday, September 5th.
CHESHIRE CUP FINAL IS 2009 REPEAT
HOLDERS Alderley Edge trounced Neston by 188 runs in the second semi-final at Parkgate to set up a repeat of last season's Cheshire Cup final against North Staffs & South Cheshire premier leaguers Elworth. This will be played at Alderley Edge on Sunday, September 5th (12.30 p.m.) and be umpired by Ian Drury and Ged Kinsey.
Alderley amassed 284-6, led by brisk innings from Richard Wilkinson 88, Mark Currie 78, Jason Whittaker 45 not out and Alan Day 30.
Neston were bowled out for 96 after skipper Whittaker reduced them to 5-3 with a triple-wicket maiden, finishing with 6-15 despite an injury which restricted his run-up to a couple of paces. Chris Finegan top-scored with 28.
MALPAS TOP MELLER BRAGGINS LEAGUE
MALPAS sprung to the top of the Meller Braggins Cheshire League First Division on Saturday with a 10 wickets win at Winnington Park, who are destined for another relegation.
Stockport stay second after an eight wickets win at Ashley, but Northwich slipped to third when rain ended their game at Hale Barns. The top two clubs are normally promoted to the County League, given that they have Clubmark accreditation and their pitches are considered suitable. Saturday's results:
Ashley 57 Stockport 59-2; Hale Barns 83-4 Northwich 176-8 dec.; Mere 80 Alvanley 199-7 dec.; Trafford MV 101 Davenham 102-4; Weaverham 130-7 Oakmere 128; Winnington Park 85 Malpas 88-0.
Latest placings (after 19 games, three to go): 1. Malpas 355; 2. Stockport 349; 3. Northwich 349; 4. Alvanley 344; 5. Weaverham 291; 6. Hale Barns 280; 7. Oakmere 260; 8. Trafford MV 251; 9. Ashley 242; 10. Davenham 229; 11. Mere 185; 12. Winnington Park 185.
Chance to play Down Under
GEELONG Cricket Association Division One club Thomson, near Melbourne, are looking for a high-order batsman or opening bowler from the County League as their Overseas player for the 2010-211 season starting the second week in October
Former Winnington Park Overseas player Sean O'Neill contacts Newsletter to make the offer, commenting that Andrew Hall (Bramall), James McCoy (Grappenhall), Louis Bentley and Jonny Kettle (Oulton Park) and Northwich's Martyn East have all played for Thompson in recent years with varying degrees of success. A Thomson player, Dean Riches, is currently playing at Grappenhall.
Says Sean: "You may remember me as the Aussie who took Winnington out of the league a couple of years back ! We've had a happy association with County League players and look forward to engaging another. Flights, accommodation and a job would be negotiable depending on the standard of player we can obtain. We play 12 games on 24 Saturdays through to March. There is a great spirit at the club, the highlight of our season being when we go up to the MCG by coach for the Boxing Day Test. With the Poms there this year, there's an extra attraction".
Sean asks anyone who feels he might qualify to contact him at sean@scottsca.co.au and / or have a word with Dean Riches.
Further information about the club can be obtained from their website www.thomsoncc.au
O NAFEES DIN, Mobberley cricketer and partner in the Sports Good firm ND Sports of Longsight, who provide kit for the Cheshire CCC, is offering big discounts for players from the County League. For further information speak to Nafees at 0161 224 7841; e-mail nafeesdin@hotmail.co.uk
News in Brief .....
O VETS' BIG GAME. The most successful Cheshire team of the season, the Super Vets, visited Hampshire at Hursley Park, near Winchester on Wednesday this week in the semi-final of the Spitfire 60 Plus County championship.
Andy Hurworth's team stayed the night locally before the most important match in their short history.
The other semi-final is between Yorkshire and Sussex.
O TIPPER RECOVERS. The family of Northern and former Hyde batsman Chris Tipper, recently badly hurt in a car crash in Worcestershire en route to play for Lancashire 2nd, wish to thank all well-wishers during the past three weeks through Newsletter.
Says his mum Viv: "First thing Chris asked me in hospital was whether he would be able to play cricket again this season. I replied ‘No son, but you'll be fine for next season'. His recovery has been miraculous considering what he has been through and we pray it continues".
O MULLANEY TROPHY. The League's First & Second Division representative team will be bidding to retain the Mullaney Trophy when they meet the Derbyshire & Cheshire League at Hawk Green on Sunday, September 12th (12.30 p.m.).
Christleton's Paul Allen will captain the team with selected players currently being notified. Players are asked to make a special effort to turn out in this final game of the summer.
O SECOND XI CUP FINAL. Hyde meet Didsbury at Werneth Low in the final of the Taylor Insurances 2nd XI Cup on Sunday, September 5th (1 p.m.). The umpires are Stan Davies and Graham Harris.
O RAIN AT AUDLEY. Wet weather ended the annual challenge match between the League and Club Cricket Conferences at Audley, in North Staffordshire on Wednesday last week.
The LCC scored 238-7, skipper James Duffy (Hyde) top-scoring with 60 after opting to bat at number nine. The CCC had reached 68-2 in 14 overs when rain arrived.
The LCC team was: James Duffy captain, Danny Berry, Danny Cranmer, Guy Emmett, Jonny Kettle, Calum Rowe, Richard Wilkinson (County League), James Dixon , James Cole wicket-keeper (Liverpool Competition), Sam Messih (Derbyshire & Cheshire League), Sam Sweeney (Lancashire County League).
o The mid-afternoon passage through Audley of a cart with its driver calling out "Any Old Iron?" brought back vivid memories of long ago.
No Test cricket in North in 2011
THE many Cheshire-based England cricket lovers will be disappointed to learn there will no Tests played in the North of England in 2011 after it was announced that Durham and Yorkshire had not been allocated any five-day matches against Sri Lanka or India. Lancashire were not considered because of their decision to move the pitch 90 degrees and play all first-class fixtures games away from Old Trafford. Lancashire do, however, stage an ODI against India on Saturday, July 9th and a T20 international against India on Wednesday, August 31st.
The international programme for your diaries is:
Versus Sri Lanka. Starting May 26th First Test at Cardiff; starting June 3rd Second Test at Lord's; starting June 16th Third Test at Rose Bowl; June 25th T20 international at Bristol; June 28th ODI at Oval; July 1st :ODI at Headingley; July 3rd ODI at Durham; July 6th ODI at Trent Bridge.
Versus India. July 9th ODI at Old Trafford; starting July 21st First Test at Lord's; starting July 29th Second Test at Trent Bridge; starting August 10th Third Test at Edgbaston; starting August 18th Fourth Test at Oval; August 31st T20 international at Old Trafford; September 3rd ODI at Durham; September 6th ODI at Rose Bowl; September 9th ODI at Oval; September 11th ODI at Lord's; September 16th ODI at Cardiff.
O NICK ANDERSON HAT-TRICK. Cheshire's Development team managed by Steve Amison wound up their successful season with a six wickets win against a Leicestershire team which included five Academy players at Mobberley on Thursday last week.
Highlight was a hat-trick by Didsbury seam bowler Nick Anderson, who took 5-25 to help dismiss Leicestershire for 120, Danny Cranmer (Hyde) helping out with 3-28. Cheshire replied with 124-4, Sale's Danny Halkon scoring 55, his fifth half-century in seven games, while Ollie Law, fresh from his part in Chester Boughton Hall's Cockspur T20 Cup triumph at Wood Lane, slammed 28 not out off 15 balls, including five fours and a six.
O VAREY CLEARED. Former Cheshire batsman David Varey, a long-standing member at Oxton but with no previous appearances this season outside the Over 40s, has been cleared to play for the Premiership club during the last three weeks.
Marple win Forties' play-off by 2 runs
WARRINGTON staged a day of Over Forties' cricket at its best on Bank Holiday Monday when Marple beat holders Neston by two runs in a thrilling play-off final.
Brilliant sunshine and good organisation by the host club helped the large crowd enjoy their day and although the scores were low, two of the three games went the distance and the issue was in doubt until the last ball.
In the first semi-final on the main ground, Dave Ward's weakened Toft side did themselves no justice and lost by seven wickets to the trophy holders and runaway West group winners Neston, who passed their opponents' all out 56 with 10 overs to spare. It was Toft's first Forties defeat of the season after a remarkable Central group record of 11 wins and one cancelled game.
The second semi-final on the top pitch was a much closer affair, North-East group winners Sale Silverbacks, wearing their spectacularly sponsored shirts, posting a challenging 104-6. All looked lost when South-East group champions Marple needed 13 runs off the last over, but superb strikes of a six and four off two of the last three deliveries by left-hander Chris Bailey won the game at 108-4.
The final on a new main ground pitch again saw the batsmen again struggle, only one on either side retiring at the statutory 30 runs, Steve Worrall for Marple to help them post a useful 109-6.
Neston opened up well with Paul Sullivan playing fluently before having to leave the wicket at 30, but his colleagues became bogged down against good fielding and canny bowling. Richard Major took 2-12 including a superb caught and bowled and Chris Lees 2-23. At the ripe old age of 65, fit as a fiddle Lees left immediately after the game to play for Cheshire in Hampshire in the National Over Sixties championship semi-final. .
In the end it was left to wicket-keeper / batsman Brian Beaver to try and hit Neston to victory, but his unbeaten 16 was not quite enough and the innings closed at 107-7, two runs short, leaving South-East group winners Marple the only unbeaten team in the entire Forties set-up.
League chairman David Humpage praised all four teams for their contributions to a fine day's cricket, the Warrington officials and caterers, the four umpires and competition organisers Mike and Wyn Talbot-Butler. The latter presented the trophy to Marple captain Simon Ashton.
The Man of the Day award nominated by Mike Talbot-Butler went to Chris Bailey for his last over heroics feat in getting Marple into the final.
FINAL CARD
MARPLE NESTON
S. Ashton c Lea-Swain b Barber 1 P. Sullivan retired out 30
N. Hayward st Beaver b Rickman 24 J Scriven lbw Lees 1
A. Littler c Scriven b Rickman 24 G. Les-Swain c S. Littler b Lees 9
S. Worrall retired out 31 S. Egerton c Worrall b Blackburn 8
C Bailey c Davies b Strong 2 G. Rickman c Worrall b Major 6
D. Baythorpe c Davies b Strong 5 N. Davies st Littler b Blackbourne 11
S. Littler not out 7 D. Hurst not out 14
S. Stephenson b Egerton 2 P. Barber c & b Major 3
R. Major not out 2 D. Jones run out 3
Extras 11 B. Beaver not out 16
Total (for 6 wickets, 20 overs) 109 Extras 6
Did not bat: M. Blackbourne, C. Lees. Total (for 8 wickets, 20 overs) 107
Did not bat: M. Strong
Neston bowling: Barber 4-0-16-0; Jones 4-0-15-0; Egerton 4-0-18-1; Rickman 4-0-24-2; Strong 4-0-19-2.
Marple bowling: Baythorpe 4-0-18-0; Lees 4-0-23-2; Blackbourne 4-0-20-2; Major 4-0-12-2; Stephenson 4-0-30-0.
Final umpires: Barrie Burns and Don Speakman. Semi-final umpires: Glyn Roberts, Jeff Plumpton, Barrie Burns and Don Speakman.
SEMI-FINAL RESULTS
NESTON beat TOFT by 7 wickets:
Toft 56; Neston 57-3.
MARPLE beat SALE SILVERBACKS by six wickets:
Sale Silverbacks 104-6; Marple 108-4..
O A meeting to consider the format and make up of the Over Forties section in 2011 is to be held at Warrington on Thursday, October 14th (8 p.m.). Clubs are asked to indicate at the meeting whether or not they wish to continue and applications from new clubs will be welcomed. Proposals for rule changes can also be made at the meeting.
John North Under 17s Cup win for Hyde
HYDE won the John North Under 17s Cup for the second time - previously in 1998 - when they beat Oxton by 13 runs in the Twenty20 finals at Oxton on Sunday, August 22nd.
In the semi-finals which took place earlier, Hyde beat Cheadle by 25 runs (128 - 103) and Oxton overcame Prestbury by nine runs (112-103).
The final was a low-scoring affair, only two batsmen reaching double figures in Hyde's tally of 106-8, Jason Ebbrell retiring on 38 and Matt Schofield scoring 24. John Fennah took 3-9 in his four overs, while wicket-keeper W. Lamb took a catch and four stumpings.
Oxton found run-scoring even more difficult and fell short at 93-9, Ebbrell completing a good match with 3-21 and two catches, while A. March claimed 3-8.
The trophy was handed to Hyde skipper Matt Schofield by League President Bob Cunningham. His generous words to the host club, players and organisers were interspersed by a telephone conversation involving one of the umpires assuring his wife he would be home in time for dinner.
The finals were organised by the Junior committee headed by chairman Gary Dixon and secretary David Vallance.
FINAL SCORECARD
HYDE OXTON
J. Gaskin st Lamb b Fennah 5 W. Lamb c Ebbrell b Hayes 18
J. Ebbrell retired 38 M. Brookes c Ebbrell b Marsh 2
A. Marsh st Lamb b McNamara 0 J. Fennah lbw March 11
Matt Schofield st Lamb b Fennah 24 M. McGreary c Gaskin b March 0
Mike Schofield b Brookes 1 O. Hearn b Ebbrell 10
M. Knowles b McGreary 2 M. Bardgett c Mi Schofield b Poole 13
T. Whiting c Lamb b Hearn 2 J. Hillyer run out 12
W. Hayes run out 5 T. Roden b Ebbrell 0
R. Williams not out 4 N. Hearn b Ebbrell 2
J. Poole st Lamb b Fennah 2 L. McNamara not out 6
T. Shamit not out 1 R. Grisenthwaite not out 0
Extras 22 Extras 16
Total (for 8 wickets, 20 overs) 106 Total (for 9 wickets, 20 overs) 93
OXTON bowling: McNamara 4-0-23-1; Fennah 4-0-9-3; Brookes 4-0-19-1; Hearn 4-0-24-1.
HYDE bowling: Ebbrell 4-0-21-3; Knowles 4-0-28-0; Marsh 4-0-8-0; Hayes 4-1-11-1; Poole 4-0-19-1.
Umpires: Barrie Burns and Jon Hacking.
August 21st revisited .....
PREMIER LEAGUE umpires reports (pitch markings and outfield sections both carry a maximum of 20 pts.):
Bramhall 13-18; Chester 14-19; Didsbury 12-14; Hyde 16-20; Neston 14-17; Oxton 14-20.
Leading individual performances to date (taken from league website stats). BATTING: Goodwin 1,020 runs; R. Wilkinson 970; oVincent 952; L. Dixon 895; oClarence 802.
BOWLING: Warrington 53 wickets; Edwards 49; Whittaker 46; Hawley 44; Woolley 42.
MTB/WTB paid their first visit of the season to a spruce-looking Werneth Low for the key fixture between Hyde and Nantwich. The view from the top car park cannot be bettered anywhere. Pity about rain rendering the game a stalemate, although Andy Newton's Dabbers were not unhappy to return home with a 14-7 points advantage. The trip was worthwhile for Lou Vincent's marvellous 160, the highest (and possibly best) innings of the season by a Premier League batsman and a superb example of controlled hitting, sharp running and encouragement given to batting partners.
Bramhall v Toft slumped from 68-2 to 98-8 to 114 all out, Toft's six-wickets winning reply consigning Nick Cantello's team to relegation. The Bramhall result sheet submitted by Davie Fortune was the Neatest of the Week
Didsbury v Bowdon was significant for many low individual scores. Didsbury had nine single figures in their tally of 122 and Bowdon 10 in a miserable 62 (not 63 as reported) , Jon Gray scoring 19. The result was not telephoned and the result sheet was incomplete containing no innings times. See also Umpires' Cards below - not a good day off the field for Didsbury.
One of the league's most prolific opening pairs Mark Currie and Alan Day of Alderley Edge were both out for ducks at Neston. The innings recovered to 182-5, but it took 60 overs. Without inspirational skipper Jack Smith, Neston got to 174-8 in reply in 10 overs less, Sam McPherson top-scoring with 56 (not 66 as stated). Alderley's promising teenage spinner Ethan Harding took 3-54.
All out for 43 at Oxton, Urmston's tally was the lowest in the premiership this season. Sean Clarence top-scored with 12 and there were nine single figures scores.
FIRST DIVISION umpires reports:
Bollington 11-14; Cheadle Hulme 15-20; Grappenhall 18-17; Heaton Mersey 18-20; Poynton 13-19; Widnes 19-19.
TOP BATSMEN: Wilde 725 runs; oHenry 692; Green 662; Rowe 656; Naughton (Widnes) and oEarl both 641.
BOWLERS: D. Moore 66 wickets; Tait 57; Ali 56; McCray 44; Mark Newman 45
Batting for Macclesfield at Heaton Mersey Ben Morrison (90) and Khalid Sawas (65) put on 144 for the second wicket. There were 4 lbws in the ‘Mersey innings. The two youngsters who saved the Macclesfield v Cheadle Hulme fixture from cancellation with their hard work on the ground the previous week were Matthew Cross and James Griffiths.
Upton had no scorer at Bollington.
There was no second side to the Poynton v Christleton result sheet. Nick O'Connell took three outfield catches for Christleton and scored 30 not out. Christleton captain Paul Allen is now living in Derby and works for the Derbyshire Cricket Board with special responsibility for deaf and disabled cricketers
All out for 113 at Widnes, only three Middlewich batsmen reached double figures. It was Paul Roberts who took 7-55 for Widnes.
SECOND DIVISION umpires reports:
Ashton on Mersey 12-17; Brooklands 17-17; Sale 15-16; Stockport Georgians 13-13; Tattenhall 13-20; Timperley 16-16.
Top individual performances. BATTING: oZybrands 803 runs; P. Wood 746; oHerrick 726; Din 658; H. Khan 655. BOWLING: Greasley 72 wickets; Williamson 70; J. Cash 58; Aqeel 55; R. Halkon 51.
For Ashton on Mersey against Warrington, G. Gyves scored 34 runs out of a total of 86.
Skipper Jamal Benzafar top-scored in Sale's home win over Congleton with 55. The Sale result sheet omitted the names of catchers in both innings (regular scorer Roger Lee was absent).
Match-winners for Marple v Tattenhall were again Andy Greasley and Jo Cash now with 130 wickets between them. Chasing 129, Tatters' innings declined from 70-2 to 111 all out.
The faxed Timperley result sheet was too faint to read: request for another copy not yet met.
Best phone-in of the week from Mr. Higginbottom , the Brooklands scorer.
MISSING UMPIRES ASSESSMENT CARDS FROM AUGUST 21st:
Didsbury (Premier League); Irby and Middlewich (Division 1).
MISSING RESULT SHEET: Middlewich v Warrington (T20, June 30)
Fixtures & umpires for Saturday, September 4th
ECB Premier League (note 12 noon starts)
BRAMHALL v URMSTON George Murphy & Peter Ogden
DIDSBURY v ALDERLEY EDGE Glyn Roberts & John Silver
CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL v NANTWICH Ged Kinsey & Ian Ramage
HYDE v NESTON Tom Park & Chris Smith
OXTON v BOWDON Don Flanagan and *Mike Leddy
TOFT v OULTON PARK Geoff Wellsteed & *Stephen Ball
* Liverpool Competition exchange umpires: Leddy tel. 0151 445 9970; Ball tel. 07599 793 076
First Division (note 12.30 p.m. starts )
BOLLINGTON v MIDDLEWICH Stuart Anderson & Ken Rothwell
CHEADLE HULME v GRAPPENHALL Brian Jones & Phil Prince
HEATON MERSEY v IRBY Bob Cunningham & Dave Goulding
POYNTON v CHEADLE Trevor Burnett & Garry Hambleton
UPTON v CHRISTLETON Jon Hacking & *Derick van Rensburg
WIDNES v MACCLESFIELD John Lofthouse & Dave Sutton
* Derick van Rensburg tel. 01925 651 286
Second Division (note 12.30 p.m. starts )
ASHTON on MERSEY v MARPLE Paul Herring & Wyn Harris
BIRKEHEAD PARK v WARRINGTON Ray Prescott & Steve Walton
BROOKLANDS v CONGLETON Peter Hayes & Jeff Plumpton
SALE v BREDBURY ST. MARK's Ken Simpson & Jim Whitehead
TATTENHALL v STOCKPORT GEORGIANS Clive Rice & Don Speakman
TIMPERLEY v MOBBERLEY Graham Harris & Steve Kirkbright
Liverpool Competition exchange (12 noon)
NEWTON le WILLOWS v WALLASEY Alistair Davies & AN Other
NORTHERN v LYTHAM Barrie Burns & AN Other
League 2nd XI Premier Division (12.30 p.m.)
Alderley Edge v DIDSBURY Liam Spires & AN Other
NANTWICH v Chester Boughton Hall Tony Morris & AN Other
SUNDAY
ECB Cockspur T20 Cup Regional final (1.30 p.m.)
CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL v BOOTLE John Lofthouse (CCL) & Mike Jones (Liv. Comp.)
Report this article as inappropriate
Comments
You need to log in before you can do that! It's only a quick registration process to join the AMA network and completely free.
Loading...
Help