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Cheadle wins, Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme lose, Alderley retain cup

Published: 6th September 2010 13:09

THE closest finish in the League's 36 years' history is in prospect next Saturday with only two points separating the main ECB Premiership title challengers Hyde (359) and Nantwich (357).

Cricket ball

Hyde kept their noses in front with a 17 run victory over Neston at Werneth Low which virtually ends the Parkgate side's hopes. Hyde match-winner was again their Cambridge UCCE and Lancashire 2^nd paceman Rob Woolley with a superb 8-55 return off 18 overs which saw Neston bowled out for 147, Jack Smith 41. It was Woolley's third eight-wicket haul and virtually matches his 8-56 at Neston in June. Batting first, Hyde posted 164, Danny Leech 57, Rob Woolley 46, James Hawley taking 5-40.

Nantwich, meanwhile, won by the more comfortable margin of 78 runs at Chester Boughton Hall after declaring at 258-5, Lou Vincent 81 - giving him a tally of 1,034 - Rob Howell 45, James Williams 4-80. Chester were 45-1 when star batsman Warren Goodwin was out for 39 after which the Dabbers got on top with their pace trio all performing well: Jimmy Warrington 4-71, Vincent 3-24 and Barrington Browne 3-49 as Chester closed on 180 all out.

Oulton Park remain in the hunt should the top two falter after a seven wickets victory at Toft which hoists their points tally to 347. Toft were dismissed for 192, former Uppingham Schoolboy Henry Hughes top-scoring with 65, while Nathan Dumelow claimed 4-66. Oulton coasted home on 193-3, Jonny Kettle 70 not out, Ben Spendlove 55, Dumelow 53 not out.

Next Saturday, Hyde will be certain of clinching their first title if they take 24 points at Bramhall, while Nantwich may require all 25 from the visit of Oxton to do likewise. 2009 champions Oulton Park at home to Urmston, just need the top two to have thoroughly a bad day. If it's a washout, the status quo applies.

BOWDON IN DANGER

After having key batsman Jordan Clark called up to debut for Lancashire against Worcestershire at Liverpool, Bowdon lost by five wickets at Oxton and with 271 points in 11^th place and are in real danger of relegation from the top tier for the first time. Oxton bowled Bowdon out for 150, Stephen Bramhall 84, Ross Dixon 5-46, Mark Rowland 3-26, then responded with a comfortable 151-5, Sean Moore 37, Ross Dixon 32, both not out, a victory which lifts them to fifth spot.

Urmston edged out of the bottom two with an eight wickets win on the ground of already-relegated Bramhall, who mustered just 135, former Indian Test all-rounder Samit Panda taking 6-55 and Ian Grindley 4-51. Urmston replied with 136-2, Panda 62 not out and now have 272 points.

Alderley Edge prepared for the next day's Cheshire Cup final with a 17 runs victory at Didsbury after declaring on 196-9, Alan Day top-scoring with 45, while Richard Wilkinson's 39 takes him past 1,000 league runs. Didsbury were all out for 179, Nick Anderson 70, Paul Sperring 52, Charlie Reid 4-42.

It's (virtually) all square at top of Division 1

THE 21 runs win by Macclesfield at Widnes takes them top of Division One, the two clubs now sharing the lead with one game remaining.

Chasing Macclesfield's 178-7 declared (Paul Barron 30, Danny Moore 3-64), Widnes reached a comfortable 157-5 (Chris Kirby 44, Ben Williams 37), then lost their last five wickets without scoring, paceman Ian Tait enjoying an amazing 4-0 spell to wind up with 4-31, aided by Tom Barron 3-35 and Craig Melrose 3-47.

Umpires John Lofthouse and Dave Sutton reported that this was "A great game between two really good sides and played hard, but in the best spirit".

Grappenhall had Neil Fairbrother (66 not out) back to help them win by seven wickets at Cheadle Hulme, who posted 201-8 batting first, Jordan Potts 50, Ewan McCray 43 not out. Grappers made it comfortably at 204-3, Luke McCoy (59) adding 114 for the third wicket with the former Lancashire and England man.

The upshot of these two games is that Macclesfield and Widnes are placed first and second respectively, both with 382 points, Macc shading it because, though both have won 13 games, they have lost one fewer. Third-placed Grappenhall on 381 points, have the same W L record as Macclesfield.

o In the final round of fixtures on Saturday, Macclesfield host Upton, Widnes go to Cheadle and Grappenhall take on Heaton Mersey at Broad Lane. And only two can go up!

99 POINTS GAP

The gap between Grappenhall and fourth-placed Cheadle is 99 points, despite the Kingsway men pulling off an unexpected 25 points win at Poynton who must have felt they were home and dry at tea with 260-5 on the board. Paul Gould scored a fine 113 and Tony Berzins 68 in an opening stand worth 188. Ashwin Punja then produced one of his special innings when Cheadle replied, his blazing 99 (out lbw) plus 72 from skipper Rana Malook and a neat 44 from Dan Brown carrying their side home by four wickets.

With a 25 pointer at Heaton Mersey, Irby made it four wins in five games to move 14 clear of the relegation zone ‘Mersey were all out for 134, teenage leg-spinner George McCaffrey taking 6-39 on an officially approved first appearance of the season and his side went on to win by three wickets, Steve Hurworth 39.

Middlewich slipped to 11^th place due to a losing draw at Bollington and they will have to produce something special to avoid slipping straight back into Division Two. Bolly declared at 185-9, Calum Rowe 65, Aaron Hazlewood 45, Phil Davies 5-58, but James Cornford's men managed only 159-8, Mark Dickenson 42, Mo Ali 4-51.

Upton are all but down after losing by 30 runs at Christleton, who continued their upsurge and are now safe. Iroshan de Silva was Christleton's star turn with 58 in his side's 181-9 (Ian Sharrock 4-78), then 3-47 to help bowl Upton out for 151, with a lot of help from skipper Paul Allen, 4-28 against Darren Warburton who put together a tidy 61.

MARPLE NEED TWO POINTS FOR TITLE

MARPLE's fifteenth Division Two win of the season sends Ashton on Mersey back into the Meller Braggins Cheshire League and means Marple need only two points from their last match at home to Sale to clinch the title.

In another low-scoring game at Little Ees Lane, Ashton were bowled out for 117, Andy Greasley taking 6-22 after which the leaders coasted home at 122-4, John Mason 47.

Runners-up Sale could hardly have played better than to beat Bredbury St. Mark's by 101 runs at Dane road and collect full points. With 75 from Ian Dixon and 59 to Hasan Khan, Sale declared on 235-7, then dismissed Bredbury for 154, Paul Wood 43, Rick Halkon 5-39.

Warrington will finish third after winning a remarkable game at Birkenhead Park in which 18 wickets fell for 202 runs. Park collapsed from 85-2 to 100 all out at the hands of M. Adams 5-27 and Dan Pascoe 3-21. But their bowlers put up a tremendous fight before Warrington edged home by two wickets, Trevor Jones scoring a crucial 33 and Chris Foran taking 3-6.

Vital win for Georgians

This defeat puts the Wirral side eight points behind Stockport Georgians, who pulled off what could prove a crucial win at Tattenhall to bank 22 crucial points. Georgians scored 166, Mark Vincent 49, Nick Tyers 32, Craig Williamson 5-66 and Mel Dobson 4-39. This was 71 runs too many for Tatters, all out 95, with Ifti Hussain taking 5-32 and John Leggett 3-37

Had they not put together some good performances recently one like that which saw them routed for 36 at Timperley would have put Mobberley in real trouble. They had no answer to the seam attack of Mark Maddocks 5-16 and Chris Page 5-17 after Timperley's batsmen had run up 208-5, Peter Herrick 58 and promising 14 year old Jamie Fisher a splendid unbeaten 55.

Brooklands continued their good run with a six wickets win at home to Congleton after their visitors had been restricted to 163-9, A. Browe 64 not out. Brooklands replied with 166-4, skipper Dave Madden 65 not out.

o Saturday's key fixtures: Marple v Sale; Bredbury v Birkenhead Park; Mobberley v Ashton on Mersey.

From Saturday's scorebooks .....

ECB PREMIER LEAGUE

BRAMHALL (2 pts.) lost to URMSTON (won toss, 20 pts.) by 8 wickets:

Bramhall 135 (60 overs: S. Panda 6-55, I. Grindley 4-51);

Urmston 136-2 (24 overs: S. Panda 61no, C. Grindley 47).

DIDSBURY (8 pts.) lost to ALDERLEY EDGE (toss, 23 pts.) by 17 runs:

Alderley Edge 196-9 dec. (55 overs: A. Day 45, R. Wilkinson 35, M. Currie 31, C. Reid 30, J. Maltman 4-50, J. Fawcett 3-37);

Didsbury 179 (54 overs: N. Anderson 70, P. Sperring 52, C. Reid 4-42).

CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL (toss, 7 pts.) lost to NANTWICH (25 pts.) by 78 runs:

Nantwich 258-5 dec. (55 overs: L. Vincent 81, R. Howell 59, C. Simpson 45, J. Williams 4-80);

Boughton Hall 180 (50 overs: W. Goodwin 39, M. Griffiths 35, J. Warrington 4-71, L. Vincent 3-24, B. Browne 3-49).

HYDE (23 pts.) beat NESTON (toss, 7 pts.) by 17 runs:

Hyde 164 (53 overs: D. Leech 57, R. Woolley 45, J. Hawley 5-40, A. Davis 3-22);

Neston 147 (52 overs: J Smith 41, R. Woolley 8-55).

OXTON (25 pts.) beat BOWDON (toss, 4 pts.) by 5 wickets:

Bowdon 150 (59 overs: S. Bramhall 84, R. Dixon 5-46, M. Rowland 3-26);

Oxton 151-5 (41 overs: S. Moore 37no, R. Dixon 32no, D. Ball 3-52).

TOFT (toss, 10 pts.) lost to OULTON PARK (25 pts.) by 7 wickets:

Toft 192 (50 overs: H. Hughes 65, N. Dumelow 4-66, A. Matthews 3-24);

Oulton Park 193-3 (54 overs: J. Kettle 70no, B. Spendlove 55, N. Dumelow 53no).

DIVISION ONE

BOLLINGTON (12 pts.) drew with MIDDLEWICH (won toss, 9 pts.):

Bollington 185-9 dec. (50 overs: C. Rowe 65, A. Hazlewood 45, P. Davies 5-58, V. Bhardwa 3-54);

Middlewich 159-8 (50 overs: M. Dickenson 42, S. Parry 35, M. Ali 4-51, S. Plant 4-49)

CHEADLE HULME (toss, 10 pts.) lost to GRAPPENHALL (25 pts.) by 7 wickets:

Cheadle Hulme 202-8 dec. (50 overs: Jordan Potts 50, E. McCray 43no, R. Battye 39, G. Burns 3-78);

Grappenhall 204-3 (43 overs: N. Fairbrother 66no, L. McCoy 59, A. Roylance 41).

HEATON MERSEY (toss, 8 pts.) lost to IRBY (24 pts) by 3 wickets:

Heaton Mersey 134 (T. Malik 39no, G. McCaffery 6-39);

Irby 135-7 (S. Hurworth 39, T. Malik 3-43).

POYNTON (toss, 13 pts.) lost to CHEADLE (25 pts.) by 4 wickets:

Poynton 260-5 dec. (50 overs: P. Gould 113, A. Berzins 68, R. Burke 37);

Cheadle 266-6 (46 overs: A. Punja 99, R. Malook 72, D. Brown 44, R. Burke 4-29).

Poynton had no scorer.

UPTON (8 pts.) lost to CHRISTLETON (toss, 23 pts.) by 30 runs:

Christleton 181-9 dec. (50 overs: I. De Silva 58, J. Creek 31, I. Sharrock 4-78);

Upton 151 (48 overs: D. Warburton 61, P. Allen 4-28, I. de Silva 3-47).

WIDNES (7 pts.) lost to MACCLESFIELD (toss, 23 pts.) by 21 runs:

Macclesfield 178-7 dec. (50 overs: P. Barron 30, D. Moore 3-64);

Widnes 157 (45 overs: C Kirby 44, B. Williams 37, I. Tait 4-31, T. Barron 3-35, C. Melrose 3-47).

DIVISION TWO

ASHTON on MERSEY (won toss, 4 pts.) lost to MARPLE (25 pts.) by 6 wickets:

Ashton on Mersey 117 (36 overs: A. Turner 30, A. Greasley 6-22);

Marple 122-4 (38 overs: J Mason 42, J. Crisall 35).

Ashton on Mersey are relegated

BIRKENHEAD PARK (6 pts.) lost to WARRINGTON (toss, 20 pts.) by 2 wickets:

Birkenhead Park 100 (41 overs: A. Watson 40, M. Adams 5-27, D. Pascoe 3-21);

Warrington 102-8 (36 overs: T Jones 33, C. Foran 3-6).

BROOKLANDS (toss, 20 pts.) beat CONGLETON (8 pts.) by 6 wickets:

Congleton 163-9 dec. (50 overs: A. Browe 65no);

Brooklands 166-4 (44 overs: D. Madden 65no).

SALE (toss, 25 pts.) beat BREDBURY ST. MARK's (6 pts.) by 71 runs:

Sale 235-7 dec. (50 overs: I Dixon 75. H. Khan 59, G. Barlow 3-76);

Bredbury St. Mark's 154 (48 overs: P. Wood 43, R. Halkon 5-39).

TATTENHALL (5 pts.) lost to STOCKPORT GEORGIANS (toss, 22 pts.) by 71 runs:

Stockport Georgians 166 (51 overs: M. Vincent 49, N. Tyers 32, C. Williamson 5-66);

Tattenhall 95 (40 overs: I. Hussain 5-32, J Leggett 3-37).

TIMPERLEY (toss, 24 pts.) beat MOBBERLEY (3 pts.) by 172 runs:

Timperley 208-5 dec. (50 overs: P. Herrick 58, J. Fisher 55 no, A. Horon 46no, S. Abbas 3-49);

Mobberley 36 (19 overs: M. Maddocks 5-16, C.Page 5-17).

PICK OF THE WEEK

o = oversaeas player

ECB Premier League

Batting: Stephen Bramhall (Bowdon) 84 v Oxton

Bowling: Rob Woolley (Hyde) 8-55 v Neston

All-rounder: Samit Panda (Urmston) 62no and 6-55 v Bramhall

First Division

Batting: Paul Gould (Poynton) 113 v Cheadle

Bowling: George McCaffrey (Irby) 6-39 v Heaton Mersey

All-rounder: o Rhys Burke (Poynton) 37 and 4-29 v Cheadle

Second Division

Batting: Ian Dixon (Sale) 75 v Bredbury St. Mark's

Bowling: Andy Greasley (Marple) 6-22 v Ashton on Mersey

All-rounder: none recorded

Richard's sign of the future

ANYONE who would like to keep up to date with the vital Grappenhall v Heaton Mersey Division 1 promotion match on Saturday can do so through the technical expertise of ‘Mersey scorer Richard August, who will be using his lap top to send out up-dates after every over on the Livescore facility.

Richard says this can be received by any iPhone or Smartphone by linking up with http//heatonmersey.play-cricket.com/home/home.asp ......or http//www.hmcricket.com

Tell - tale tables after 21 games ...one week to go

View tables here

RECOVERY FROM 36-6

Skipper Whittaker is Alderley hero

WHEN Alderley Edge were cut down to 36-6 by Pakistani paceman Yasir Ali after an hour's play in Sunday's Cheshire Cup final most people on the Moss Lane ground were beginning to make other arrangements for the early evening.

Ali produced a stunning spell of fast bowling few will have seen equalled at this level of the gamer this season. His burst dismissed the top five Alderley batsmen at a personal cost of nine runs from six overs, twice coming close to a hat-trick and there appeared to be no escape for the holders.

But in came skipper Jason Whittaker and although the innings declined further to 82-7, he held it together and with decent contributions from Jon Usher (19), Tom Atkinson (21) then Ben Davis (2) in a ninth wicket stand worth 42, he wound up with a magnificent unbeaten 74 and his side having reached a respectable 162-8. Ali finished with 5-25 off his nine overs.

Brilliant catches

With the impetus now in their favour, Alderley captured three wickets immediately after tea through Whittaker (2) and Richard Wilkinson. The experienced David Palin (26) looked to have steadied the ship, but Alderley were not be denied and two brilliant catches standing up by wicket-keeper Andy Worrall broke the rest of North Staffs & South-Cheshire Premier Leaguers' resistance and they were all out for 115 in the 39th over, losing by 47 runs.

Whittaker, who missed last season's final victory at Elworth while on duty with Cheshire, finished with 3-17 and deservedly won the Man of the Match award nominated by Rick Davis, who takes over as Competition secretary in 2011. Tom Atkinson gave good bowling support with 2-20 and Charlie Reid 2-31 as part of a fine all-round team effort

Peter Davies, Chairman of the organising committee praised both teams for providing fluctuating and absorbing cricket for the large crowd. He remarked on the sound work of the umpires, scorers ground and catering staff and also thanked Ian Greensmith to whom he made an award to mark his retirement after 10 years as organising secretary.

Mr. Davies disclosed that this was the second season the competition had not been sponsored and appealed to any individual or company who would like to do so in future to come forward.

The trophies were presented by Cheshire 4Cs chairman David Humpage,

FINAL SCORECARD

ALDERLEY EDGE ELWORTH

M. Currie b Ali 21 R. Beech c Worrall b Whittaker 1

A. Day b Ali 3 M. Winter c Atkinson b Wilkinson 1

R. Wilkinson b Ali 0 P. Barnett b Reid 20

A. Worrall hit wicket b Ali 1 D. Toft lbw Whittaker 7

J. Whittaker not out 74 D. Palin lbw Atkinson 26

A. Wildig b Ali 0 Y Ali c Worrall b Atkinson 4

J. Usher c Buckley b Morgan 19 C. Regan c Worrall b Davis 11

C. Reid c Toft b Morgan 2 N. Allsopp c & b Reid 13

T. Atkinson lbw Winter 21 M. Buckley run out 10

B. Davis not out 2 C. Winter not out 11

Extras 21 S. Morgan b Whittaker 1

Total (for 8 wickets, 45 overs) 162 Extras 10

Total (all out, 38.5 overs) 115

Did not bat: E. Harding.

Elworth bowling: Ali 9-2-23-5; Buckley 9-0-35-0; Morgan 9-2-23-2; Beech 9-0-38-0; C. Winter 9-1-36-1.

Alderley Edge bowling: Whittaker 7.5-4-17-3; Wilkinson 7-2-19-1; Atkinson 8-2-20-2; Reid 9-0-31-2; Harding 9-1-23-0; Davis 2-1-8-1.

Umpires: Ian Drury and Ged Kinsey (Cheshire County League Umpires & Scorers Association).

Mullaney Trophy decider

CHRISTLETON fast bowler Paul Allen captains the League's First and Second Division XI to meet the Derbyshire & Cheshire League at Hawk Green on Sunday, September 12^th in the Mullaney Trophy play-off (12.30 p.m.).

The League line-up is: Allen captain, David Bates (Christleton), Andy Greasley, James Crisall, Steve Worrall, Jo Cash (Marple), Stephen Parry (Middlewich), James McCoy, Luke McCoy, Adam Roylance (Grappenhall), Rick Clark (Poynton). Team manager: Harry Bramhall. Scorer: Ray Davies.

O PLAYER of YEAR FORMS. Forms have been despatched to all clubs inviting them to ballot for the Player of the Year in each division. Any club who has not received a paper, please contact MTB. First forms back are from Alderley Edge and Oxton. Others should be returned ASAP.

The identities of the winners will be disclosed at the League Dinner at Mere Golf & Country Club on Friday, October 1^st when the guest speaker is Robert Croft of Glamorgan & England (and Wales).

O THIRD XI CUP FINAL. The final of the Jack Gardner 3^rd XI Trophy between Bramall and Didsbury is at Bramhall on Sunday, September 12th (12.30 p.m.). Umpires: Allan Lewis and Tony Morris.

O FORTIES MEETING. A meeting to consider the format of the Over Forties section is to be held at Warrington on Thursday, October 14^th (8 p.m.). Clubs are asked to indicate by that meeting at the latest whether or not they wish to take part in 2011. Applications for new members will be welcomed. Also considered will be rule changes.

O McCAFFREY CLEARED. Irby spinner George McCaffrey was given League clearance to play in the last two games of the season after completing a term with Durham Academy and having county trials at Durham.

Special permission has also been given to Bowdon to feld long-serving member Imran Azam.

O COACHING IN PACIFIC. Sam Baxter is back at Grappenhall after seven weeks coaching in Papua New Guinea where he worked alongside ex-Aussie Test star and Head of Cricket Andy Bichel with the National and Development squads.

Grappenhall skipper and Lancashire coach Steve Titchard says this has been an excellent chance for Sam to develop his coaching skills which will be further tested this winter working with Bedfordshire's junior county teams..

Sam's dad Neil is Grappenhall's junior cricket manager.

O CRICKET DOWN UNDER. The chance to play for Thomson CC at Geelong, Victoria, Australia from October to March can be explored by contacting former Winnington Park Overseas player Sean O'Neill, whose e-mail address is sean@scottsca.com.au. Or by speaking to Grappenhall's current Aussie Dean Riches who plays for Thomson.

Harking back a week (to August 28^th)

PREMIER LEAGUE umpires reports (pitch markings and outfield sections both carry a maximum 20 pts.):

Alderley Edge 18 - 20; Bowdon 18 - 20; Nantwich 19 - 19; Neston 17 - 20; Oulton Park 14 - 14; Urmston 18 - 19.

Best individual performances to date (taken from League website stats section; o = overseas player).

BATTING: Goodwin 1,036 runs; R. Wilkinson 970; oVincent 953; J. Smith 899; L. Dixon 895.

BOWLING: G. Edwards and Warrington both 53 wickets; Hawley 46, Whittaker 46; Woolley 44.

WICKET-KEEPING: Worrall 27 c + 8 st = 35.

The following are items not reported in last week's Newsletter:

There was a 104 stand for the third Alderley Edge wicket against Hyde between Alan Day (73) and Adam Worrall (34).

Jordan Clark (72) and Carl Hey (68) added 113 for the third Bowdon wicket against Chester at South Downs Road.

Lou Vincent scored only one run following his imperious 160 at Hyde the previous week, then Nantwich fourth wicket pair George Cairns (90 not out) and Nafeed Ahmad (36 not out) enjoyed an unbroken 124 stand for the fourth wicket. . That was followed by the match-winning partnership of of 146 for wicket five between Didsbury's Greg Dixon, whose 112 was his first century of season and Nick Anderson; unbeaten with 76.

When Bramhall replied with 178 all out to Neston's 207-6 at Parkgate, their first three batsmen were lbw, as was their seventh. There were no lbws in the Neston innings when Jack Smith (122) and M. Garrett (43) opening with 141.

FIRST DIVISION umpires reports: Cheadle cancelled; Christleton 15 - 19; Grappenhall 18 - 19; Irby 17 - 20; Macclesfield 13 - 20; Middlewich 18 - 20.

Individual stats: BATTING: oPassas 772 runs; Wilde 721; Green 712; oHenry 706; S. Parry 671.

BOWLING: D. Moore 66 wickets; Tait 58; Ali 56; Mark Newman 47; McCray 44.

WICKET-KEEPINMG: Spencer 26 c + 7 st = 33.

Cheadle did not telephone news of the cancellation of their Kingsway game against Heaton Mersey, information which had to be obtained derived from the bar many hours later. Neither did Cheadle despatch a result sheet confirming the cancellation. At the same time, the Cheadle club crave publicity for events such as their Bank Holiday Sunday T20 tournament ....A report of which has not been received. Come on lads, let's have fair play.

In Widnes' unexpected 52 runs defeat at Christleton, batsmen number 1,3,4 and 6 all fell lbw.

Replying with 129-8 before the rain arrived to their hosts' 204-9, three Bollington batsmen were caught behind by Grappenhall's excellent young wicket-keeper Liam Parkinson.

Aussie Bill Passas's not out 133 in Irby's big home win over Cheadle Hulme was his third century of the summer, each time of 129 runs or more.

The scores and points reported in Middlewich's home win over Upton were incorrect. Upton were all out for 102, then had Middlewich 103-9 not 103-8 as was reported. Upton therefore took seven points not six, adding one to their overall tally..

SECOND DIVISION umpires reports: Bredbury 14 - 18; Congleton 14 - 16; Marple 15 - 19; Mobberley 13 - 15; Stockport Georgians 17 - 18; Warrington 18 - 17.

Individual stats: BATTING: oZybrands 803 runs; P. Wood 801; oHerrick 771; Khan (Sale) 690; Din 775.

BOWLING: Greasley 76 wickets; Williamson 70; J./ Cash 60; R. Halkon 56; Aqeel 55.

WICKET-KEEPER: R. Sandford 14 c + 15 st = 29.

Bredbury St. Mark's innings against Ashton on Mersey was remarkable. Nine of their batsmen were dismissed for seven runs or less, the remaining two, brothers Chris (58) and Paul (55) Wood taking the score from 5-3 to 113-4, then to 139 all out. What would St. Mark's do without ex-Accrington Stanley footballer Chris Wood who followed up after tea with a 4-42 spell off 13.3 overs to dismiss their visitors for 134 - five runs short..

There was a stand worth 110 for the third Congleton wicket against Birkenhead Park, between Alan Browe (62) and the excellent Kiwi Jerrym Lamb (51).

When Tattenhall batted first at Mobberley they were 66-2 when the home side's Phil Burrell came on to bowl as third change. He then took 7-22 off 9.1 overs to rout Tatters for 112.

Warrington and Sale shared 18 draw points at Walton Lea in a match notable for the hat-trick by former Warrington skipper Steve Heydon, his victims being two lbws and a bowled, a spell which could have cost Sale the championship, although it did not deny then clinching promotion.

The Newsletter Editor took a day off on Saturday to watch Northwich Vics beat mighty Hucknall Town 4-0 in the quaintly-titled Evostick Premier League.

It was back in action on Bank Holiday Monday for the excellent Over Forties play-offs at Warrington when the standard of play among the Vets was remarkable. As reported, Marple won the final against holders Neston by two runs off the last ball of the day with a team which contained four members of the club's one and only championship-winning side in 1987. No prizes for anyone who can name them. Warm thanks are due to Warrington for staging the event, especially the work of Brian Boys and Mike Cornelia on the day.

TWO MISSING UMPIRES ASSESSMENT CARDS FROM AUGUST 28^th:

Didsbury and Macclesfield. According to generous co-ordinator Ken Spilsbury, Bowdon and Mobberley beat the Saturday 10 a.m.deadline by minutes !

Final fixtures & umpires for Saturday, September 11th

ECB Premier League ( 12 noon)

ALDERLEY EDGE v CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL Stan Davies & Ian Greensmith

BOWDON v TOFT Jon Hacking & Tom Park

BRAMHALL v HYDE Ian Drury & Don Flanagan

NANTWICH v OXTON Phil Prince & Chris Smith

NESTON v DIDSBURY John Lofthouse & Geoff Wellsteed

OULTON PARK v URMSTON Dave Goulding & Ian Ramage

First Division (12.30 p.m.)

CHEADLE v WIDNES Ron Bedson & Ken Rothwell