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Five contenders for title
| Published: 26th July 2010 14:44 |
WITH Neston still failing to recapture their early-season form, the position at the top of the ECB Premier League becomes more intriguing by the week with any one of the current top five looking capable of landing the title.
Cricket ball
Neston lost again, this time to Urmston by one wicket with one ball to spare in the most exciting game seen at Parkgate this season. Neston posted a modest 152, skipper Jack Smith top-scoring with 36 and paceman Jibran Khan taking 5-52. Previously without a win since May, Urmston wound up on 159-9, top scorer Sean Clarence, 32, with their last pair at the crease. Occasional bowler Luke Camden claimed a career-best 6-42 to come near to snatching victory for his side. Strangely, Camden does not bowl regularly for Cheshire Under 16s.
Ever-improving Hyde edged up into second place, now just 15 points behind the leaders, with a comfortable 76 runs home win against Toft after declaring on 190-9, Danny Leech 50, Rupe Kitzinger 3-48. Toft were bowled out for 114 thanks to a superb spell of pace bowling from Rob Woolley who took 8-49, only Ed Bones defying him with an unbeaten 37.
Hyde's record since their last defeat on May 8th is now won seven and drawn three.
Champions Oulton Park, meanwhile, stay well in the running after a back-to-form victory of 44 runs at Alderley Edge after declaring on 292-8, openers Jonny Kettle, 107 and Rick Moore, 75 putting on 183. Previously beaten only once all season, Alderley Edge had a real go and reached 248 largely thanks to a hard-hit 93 from Richard Wilkinson, while Guy Emmett took 4-49 and teenager Alex Marshall 3-27.
Oulton may currently lie fifth, but are now only 25 points behind Neston whom they entertain at Little Budworth next Saturday.
Dabbers' fifth win in row
Nantwich recorded their fifth straight win with a seven wickets stroll against Bowdon at Whitehouse Lane. Bowdon were rattled out for 125, Jon Gray 43, Lou Vincent 3-23, Jamie Warrington 3-45. The Dabbers then knocked off the runs in 37 overs, Nadeem Ahmed contributing 67.
Oxton fought their way 25 points clear of the of the relegation zone with a key six wickets win at Didsbury, whom they bowled out for 165 in the 60th over, Nick Anderson 52, Sean Moore 3-53. Oxton replied with 167-4, a swashbuckling innings of 96 not out taking the eye by left-hander Lee Dixon, who now has 818 runs for the season.
Openers Warren Goodwin (117) and Steve Ogilby (63) put on 181 to help Chester Boughton Hall declare at 260-6 against Bramhall. The Boughton Hall bowlers then failed to dislodge the Bramhall tail-enders as the division's bottom team ended up on 214-9, Mike Bolger 55, while 17 year-old Mike Robinson claimed an impressive 3-21. This was the only drawn game in the top flight.
Division One
WIDNES STRIKE BACK
AFTER their unexpected home defeat by Cheadle Hulme, First Division leaders Widnes returned to form with a nine wickets demolition of Heaton Mersey on a day when rivals Macclesfield drew and Grappenhall lost again.
‘Mersey's recent fine run was ended when they collapsed from 66-0 to 110 all out against fine bowling from Danny Moore, whose 6-48 return took him to 50 wickets for the season. Danny Naughton then hit an unbeaten 54 as Widnes wrapped up maximum points in 19 overs after tea.
Macclesfield lie nine points behind after squeezing 17 from a winning draw at Cheadle, who have dropped away alarmingly. Tom Parfett top-scored with 74 not out and Khalid Sawas 53 in Macc's handsome 244-5. To which Cheadle replied with 153-9, Ian Tait 4-30 off 19 overs, Craig Melrose 3-60.
Inconsistency is dogging Grappenhall who looked a shoe-in for promotion a month ago. They were all out for 166 against Middlewich at Broad Lane, James McCoy 41, Stuart Price 4-37. This fell 42 runs short of Middlewich 208-5, Andy Gill 55, James Cornford 54, their 24 points giving Middlewich strong hope of another season in Division One.
Rick Clark 7-47 for Poynton
Poynton made it four wins in six games and clinched fourth spot with a comfortable win at Bollington, where spinner Rick Clark had a field day. He took 7-47 to send Bolly back for 181, Aldo Palazzo 48. Mr Consistency Brian Kingham contributed 62 to Poynton's five wickets winning reply.
Upton had the better of their drawn game at Cheadle Hulme, winding up 16 - 9 points to the good in a game which impressed umpires Stan Davies and Clive Rice. "There was an excellent spirit between the sides and a cracking over rate", they reported. A. Cotter top-scored with 53 in Upton's 192, Damien Stringer 4-42, Ewan McCray 4-68. The hard-to-beat Grove Park men replied with 160-8, Stringer 48, George Earl 6-52.
Aussie batsman William Passas (77) was again Irby's star turn in an 11-9 draw with Christleton at Mill Hill Road. Irby declared on 171-8, Iroshan de Silva 4-40, to which Christleton replied with 161-9.
DIVISION TWO
Another field day for Greasley
IF Marple go on to win the Second Division title they will have much for which to thank Andy Greasley.
The former Cheshire off-spinner took 7-17 off 19 accurate overs - and now has 58 victims - to dismiss Bredbury St. Mark's for 61 at Bowden Lane and clinch an 82 runs victory. They thus become the first team in the league to top 300 points. Jo Cash helped his spin mentor with 3-29 as Bredbury fell 82 runs short of Marple's modest 143, Graham Barlow 5-67.
Sale were held to a draw by neighbours Timperley and now trail by 13 points in second place. Timperley totalled 214, David Howarth 62, Roy Woodward 4-34, to which Sale replied with 192-8, Ian Dixon 66, Mike Bishop 3-41.
Warrington took 16 points from their drawn visit to Mobberley after Malcolm Agar had scored a fine 114 in a tally of 239-7, S. Abbas 4-62. Mobberley got to 192-8, Peter Burrell 39, Dan Pascoe 3-68.
Second win for Ashton
It's tight at the foot of the table with at least four clubs in real danger of relegation.
But bottom dogs Ashton on Mersey are arising from their slumbers, victory number two being recorded by four wickets at Brooklands, who declared on 193-6, Mohammed Azam 45. Ashton replied with 194-6, thanks largely to the Roscow brothers A.T. who scored 77 and A.R., 47.
Birkenhead Park are also fighting hard and their 15-9 draw at Tattenhall was a useful effort. Park declared on 183-7, recent recruit Aneeq Hassan from the Lancashire League top-scoring with 50 before Tattenhall clung on at 162-9, Craig Williamson 38, Chris Watson 4-74.
Stockport Georgians pulled up their socks after a bad patch to record a 16-9 draw at home to Congleton. Georgians' batting improved to total 225, Adam Gaskarth 51, a tally to which Congleton responded with 144-7, Jack Higginbotham 48 not out. Former Poynton skipper Steve Mobley turned out as substitute fielder for Georgians after an injury.
Saturday's nitty gritty ...
ECB PREMIER LEAGUE
ALDERLEY EDGE ((9 pts.) lost to OULTON PARK (won toss, 25 pts.) by 44 runs
Oulton Park 292-8 dec. (55 overs: J. Kettle 107, R. Moore 75 = 1st wicket stand of 183, A. Day 3-49, J. Whittaker 3-80);
Alderley Edge 248 (50 overs: R. Wilkinson 93, A. Wildigg 36, G. Emmett 4-49, A. Matthews 3-27).
BRAMHALL (won toss, 9 pts.) drew with CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL (17 pts.)
Chester Boughton Hall 260-6 dec. (51 overs: W. Goodwin 117, S. Ogilby 63 = 1st wicket stand of 181);
Bramhall 214-9 (59 overs: M Bolger 55, J. Birchall 38, M. Robinson 3-21).
DIDSBURY (won toss, 3 pts.) lost to OXTON (25 pts.) by 6 wickets:
Didsbury 165 (60 overs: N. Anderson 52, G. Dixon 31, S. Moore 3-53);
Oxton 167-4 (48 overs: L. Dixon 96no).
HYDE (won toss, 23 pts.) beat TOFT (6 pts.) by 76 runs
Hyde 190-9 dec. (55 overs: D. Leech 50, R. Kitzinger 3-48);
Toft 114 (27 overs: E. Bones 37no, R. Woolley 8-49).
NANTWICH (won toss, 20 pts.) beat BOWDON (6) by 7 wickets
Bowdon 125 (49 overs: J. Gray 43, L Vincent 3-23, J. Warrington 3-45);
Nantwich 126-3 (37 overs: N. Ahmed 67, R Howell 32).
NESTON (won toss, 8 pts.) lost to URMSTON (25 pts.) by 1 wicket:
Neston 150 (52 overs: J. Smith 36, J. Khan 5-52, I. Grindley 3-19);
Urmston 154-9 (51.5 overs: S. Clarence 32, L. Camden 6-42).
This game was reduced to 104 overs.
DIVISION ONE
BOLLINGTON (won toss, 11 pts.) lost to POYNTON (25 pts.) by 5 wickets
Bollington 181 (49 overs: A. Palazzo 48, R. Clark 7-47);
Poynton 185-5 (47 overs: B. Kingham 62, R. Burke 41).
CHEADLE (won toss, 8 pts.) drew with MACCLESFIELD (17 pts.):
Macclesfield 244-5 dec. (50 overs: T. Parfett 74no, K. Sawas 53, B. Morrison 49);
Cheadle 153-9 (50 overs: K Shah 30no, I. Tait 4-30, C. Melrose 3-60).
CHEADLE HULME (9 pts.) drew with UPTON (won toss, 16 pts.):
Upton 192 (50 overs: A.Cotter 53. G. Earl 36, J. Williams 34, D. Stringer 4-41, E. McCray 4-68);
Cheadle Hulme 160-8 (50 overs: D. Stringer 48, G. Earl 6-52).
GRAPPENHALL (7 pts.) lost to MIDDLEWICH (won toss, 24 pts.) by 42 runs:
Middlewich 208-5 dec. (50 overs: A Gill 55, J. Cornford 54, S. Parry 38);
Grappenhall 166 (45 overs: J. McCoy 41, G. Burns 33, S. Price 4-37, M. Whitehead 3-21).
HEATON MERSEY (won toss, 3 pts.) lost to WIDNES (25 pts.) by 9 wickets:
Heaton Mersey 110 (32 overs: M. Norbury 36, D. Moore 6-48, A. Hurdley 4-21);
Widnes 111-1 (19 overs: D. Naughton 54no.
IRBY (11 pts.) drew with CHRISTLETON (9 pts.):
Irby 171-8 dec. (50 overs: W. Passas 77, I. de Silva 4-40);
Christleton 161-9 (50 overs: I. Naseer 35, N. O'Connell 31, D. Collyer 3-34).
DIVISION TWO
BROOKLANDS (11 pts.) lost to ASHTON on MERSEY (won toss, 20 pts.) by 4 wickets.
Brooklands 193-6 dec. (50 overs: M Azam 45, E. Woodage 40, A.J. Hart 36no, D. Madden 33);
Ashton on Mersey 194-6 (45 overs: A.T. Roscow 77, A.R. Roscow 47, P. Vesey 3-73).
MARPLE (won toss, 22 pts.) beat BREDBURY ST. MARK's (5 pts.) by 82 runs:
Marple 243 (49 overs: S. Jackson 31, G. Cash 30, G. Barlow 5-67, C. Nuttall 3-27);
Bredbury St. Mark's 61 (29 overs: P. Wood 28, A. Greasley 7-17, J. Cash 3-29).
MOBBERLEY (9 pts.) drew with WARRINGTON (16 pts.)
Warrington 239-7 dec. (50 overs: M. Agar 114, S. Abbas 4-62);
Mobberley 192-8 (50 overs: P. Burrell 39, D. Pascoe 3-68).
STOCKPORT GEORGIANS (16 pts.) drew with CONGLETON (won toss, 9 pts.)
Stockport Georgians 225 (50 overs: A. Gaskarth 51, T. Bailey 39, M. Vincent 34, S. Normanton 30, M. Johnson 30, I. Stringer 4-56);
Congleton 144-7 (50 overs: J. Higginbotham 48no, T. Blease 44).
TATTENHALL (won toss, 9 pts.) drew with BIRKENHEAD PARK (15 pts.):
Birkenhead Park 183-7 (48 overs: A. Hassan 50, I Cooper 49, C. Foran 30);
Tattenhall 162-9 (46 overs: C. Williamson 38, C. Watson 4-74).
This was a 94 overs match.
TIMPERLEY (9 pts.) drew with SALE (won toss, 12 pts.)
Timperley 214 (54 overs: D. Howarth 61no, M. Rudd 39, P. Herrick 31, R. Woodward 4-34, M. Halkon 3-45);
Sale 192-8 (46 overs: I. Dixon 66, M. Bishop 3-41, C. Page 3-65).
PICK OF WEEK
Premier League
Batting: Warren Goodwin (Chester Boughton Hall) 117 v Bramhall
Bowling: Rob Woolley (Hyde) 8-49 v Toft
All-rounder: none recorded
First Division
Batting: oWilliam Passas (Irby) 77 v Christleton
Bowling: Rick Clark Poynton) 7-47 v Bollington
All-rounders: oG. Earl (Upton) 36 and 6-52 v Cheadle Hulme; Damien Stringer (Cheadle Hulme) 48 and 4-42 v Upton
Second Division
Batting: Malcolm Agar (Warrington) 114 v Mobberley
Bowling: Andy Greasley (Marple) 7-17 v Bredbury St. Mark's
All-rounder: Simon Normanton (Stockport Georgians) 30 and 2-40 v Congleton
Placings after Week 15
Red Insure T20
RAIN DELAYS QUARTER-FINALS
DIDSBURY remain the only club booked to appear in the Red Insure T20 Finals Day due to the remaining three quarter-finals being postponed because of rain.
The Cheadle v Alderley Edge tie is re-arranged for Tuesday, July 27th and Grappenhall v holders Oulton Park on Friday, July 30th, while a new date is being sought for the Irby and Chester Boughton Hall clash..
Competition organiser Jon Hacking has used his discretion to rule that while all games must be re-arranged to take place by Friday, July 30th, if rain again intervenes, Sunday, August 1st becomes the limit date followed by a bowl-out or toss of the coin.
Quarter-final details so far:
Tuesday, July 13: DIDSBURY beat TOFT on run rate after rain
Remaining games:
CHEADLE v ALDERLEY EDGE (Thursday, July 29)
GRAPPENHALL v OULTON PARK (Friday, July 30)
IRBY v CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL (Thursday, July 29, to be confirmed)
Semi-final draw (games at Chester Boughton Hall on Sunday, August 8th, starting 12 noon):
DIDSBURY v CHEADLE or ALDERLEY EDGE;
GRAPPENHALL or OULTON PARK v IRBY or CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL
The winners at Chester will go on to represent the League in the ECB Cockspur Cup National Area finals on Sunday, August 22nd on the ground of a North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Premier league club.
T20 PLATE
Semi-final dates
DRAW for the semi-finals of the T20 Plate means there will be a club from the Second Division involved:
BRAMHALL v MACCLESFIELD (Tuesday, July 27)
OXTON v WARRINGTON (Thursday, July 29, to be confirmed)
If no play is possible in the above games, Friday, July 30th becomes the limit date, with a final fall-back to Sunday, August 1st, when a bowl out or toss of the coin come into account.
The winners go through to meet on Finals Day at Chester Boughton Hall on Sunday, August 8th.
IMPORTANT ADVICE: Clubs must confirm fixture dates with Competition administrator Jon Hacking (tel. 01244 814 110; e-mail jhacking@gmail.com).
Home clubs must telephone match results and details at close of play to the Competition secretary AND submit a result sheet within 72 hours (no umpires' report required). This has not been done in several cases; £15 fines are incurred.
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
2nd XI Cup semi-finals
DRAW for the AE Taylor Insurances 2nd XI Cup semi-finals, to be played by Friday, August 7th is:
Bollington or Oulton Park v Didsbury; Bowdon v Hyde.
The final is on Sunday, August 15th, clubs to toss for choice of grounds.
3rd XI Cup semi-finals
JACK Gardner 3rd XI Cup semi-finals:
Urmston v Bramhall; Neston v Didsbury.
The final date has yet to be arranged.
OLD ENGLAND AT NESTON
FORMER Essex and England fast bowler John Lever captains an Old England XI to play Neston at Parkgate on Thursday, July 29th (1.30 p.m.). Remainder of team: Derek Randall, Richard Ellison, Arnie Sidebottom, Roger Tolchard, Joey Benjamin, Jon Hardy, Neil Radford, Neil Smith, Geoff Humpage, Ian Austin. .
o IRBY beat Neston to enter the semi-finals of the Liverpool Echo knock-out.
NESTON, TOFT, SALE CLINCH O40s GROUPS
HOLDER Neston, Toft and Sale Silverbacks clinched the Over Forties' West, Central and North-East group titles on Wednesday last week. Only the Sooth-East zone remains to be resolved.
Neston cannot be caught after recording their eighth win in eight games played, at the expense of neighbours Oxton at Townfield Lane.
Toft made it a remarkable 11 straight victories when they overcame closest rivals Nantwich Cavaliers by nine wickets and skipper David Ward is considering taking his team away on special training before the play-offs.
Iain Harrop's Sale cannot be caught after their narrow nine runs home win against Timperley.
Marple seem certain to clinch the South-East group and make up the play-off foursome, but the Macclesfield - Bollington result, which could affect the title, is late.
The play-offs - the semi-finals and final - will be staged on Warrington's two grounds at Walton Lea on Bank Holiday Monday, August 30th starting at 12 noon. The draw will be published together with the final tables after games on Wednesday, August 4th.
West group results
IRBY (4 pts.) beat CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL by default.
Chester could not raise a team.
OXTON lost to NESTON (4 pts.) by 36 runs:
Neston 167-7 (Scriven 34, Clifford 32, Sullivan 31, Quadri 4-321); Oxton 131-7 (D. Varey 30).
UPTON (4 pts.) beat TATTENHALL WRECKERS by default.
Tattenhall could not raise a team
Central group
BOWDON v GRAPPENHALL: cancelled due to rain, 2 pts. each
TOFT (4 pts.) beat NANTWICH CAVALIERS by 9 wickets:
Nantwich 119-3 (Cook 30, Armitage 30); Toft 120-1 (Mitchell 31, Sheldon 31, Hope 26, Kitton 20).
WARRINGTON v MOBBERLEY: cancelled due to rain, 2 pts. each. No card received.
North-East group
BROOKLANDS (4 pts.) beat CHEADLE HULME by 7 wickets:
Cheadle Hulme 105-6 (Battye 30, Belwood 2-20); Brooklands 109-3 (Higgins 30, Balderson 2-16).
CHEADLE v URMSTON: cancelled due to rain: 2 pts. each.
SALE SILVERBACKS (4 pts.) beat TIMPERLEY by 9 runs:
Sale 136-3 (Briggs 30, Hart 30, Wilkes 26, Jackson 2-30); Timperley 127-7 (Busby 32, Fisher 27, Mardle 2-32).
South-East Group
BREDBURY SAINTS (4 pts.) beat ALDERLEY EDGE WIZARDS by 5 wickets:
Alderley Edge 116-7 (M. Hutchinson 32, Coffey 3-25); Bredbury 117-5 (Green 31, Martin 31, Kimble 2-30).
MACCLESFIELD v BOLLINGTON: no card received.
MARPLE (4 pts.) beat ROMILEY by 9 wickets
Romiley 108-3 (Shenton 30, M. Potter 30, Stephenson 2-15); Marple 109-1 (Ashton 30, Littler 27).
FIXTURES ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 28th (6.15 p.m.)
WEST GROUP Neston v Upton; New Brighton v Tattenhall Wreckers; Oxton v Chester Boughton Hall.
Open: Irby
CENTRAL GROUP: Davenham v Grappenhall; Mobberley v Bowdon; Nantwich Cavaliers v Warrington.
Open: Toft.
NORTH-EAST GROUP: Bowdon Vale Vikings v Brooklands; Cheadle Hulme v Cheadle; Urmston v Sale Silverbacks.
Open: Timperley.
SOUTH-EAST GROUP: Bollington v Alderley Edge Wizards; Poynton Legends v Marple; Romiley v Macclesfield. Open: Bredbury Saints.
Latest Over 40s tables
County Vets cricket
RAIN HITS FIFTIES
RAIN caused the abandonment of Cheshire's key 50 Plus county championship game against Derbyshire at Neston on Wednesday last week when Cheshire had scored 32-0 from eight overs. Efforts are being made to find a date and ground to re-arrange the game.
In the Spitfire 60 Plus County championship, Cheshire's game against Yorkshire at Grappenhall on Wednesday last week was cancelled due to rain. It will now be on Tuesday, August 3rd again at Grappenhall.
Cheshire's game against Derbyshire was abandoned when Cheshire had reached 225-7, Nick Sharp 58, Andy Hurworth 56 and Derbyshire had reached 11-1 off six over. It has been re-arranged for Thursday, July 29th at Birkenhead Park
CHESHIRE DEVELOPMENT XII BEAT LANCS
CHESHIRE Development XII beat Lancashire Under 19s by five wickets at Bramhall in a rain-affected game on Tuesday and Wednesday last week.
Lancashire were all out for 166, Danny Cranmer 4-52, Alex Matthews 3-31, Nick Anderson 2-28 and Cheshire replied with 169-5 thanks to a match-winning innings of 79 by skipper Nick Reid.
The next outing for Steve Amison's squad was on Monday this week (July 26th) against Derbyshire Academy at Glossop when James McCoy (Grappenhall) captained.
The Twelve to meet the Yorkshjre Academy at Weetwood, Leeds on Wednesday this week (11 a.m.) is: Jonny Kettle captain (Oulton Park), Nick Anderson, Greg Dixon (Didsbury), Dan Cranmer (Hyde), Tom Evans (Widnes), Danny Halkon (Sale), Ollie Law (Chester Bo. Hall), Luke McCoy, Andy Tetlow (Grappenhall), Charlie Reid (Alderley Edge), Pat Roberts wicket-keeper (Toft), Craig Williamson (Tattenhall).
o Cheshire Under 17s are to meet their Lancashire counterparts in a three-day match at Grappenhall starting on Tuesday this week.
Cheshire back in running
CHESHIRE pulled off one of their finest victories in recent seasons and are back in the running for the Minor Counties title after deposing Western group leader Berkshire at Finchampstead.
The quality of batting in the Cheshire County League's premiership was paraded by four players who achieved centuries to help chalk up a vital win after trailing on first innings.
Cheshire recovered from 25-3 to post 354-6 declared on the first day, Hyde's James Duffy scoring a career-best 172 and in partnership with skipper Andrew Hall, of Bramhall (111 not out) put on 261 for the fifth wicket. Berkshire replied with a massive 390-6 with 182 from Jon Maclean, while Nathan Dumelow took 3-129.
In their second innings, Cheshire were in trouble at 0-2, but again recovered to declare on 366-5, Oulton Park pair Ben Spendlove (136) and Jonny Kettle, who carried his bat for 129, adding 209 for the third wicket after which Danny Berry adding a rapid unbeaten 63 off 51 balls.
Set 331 to win, Berkshire reached 220-5 and looked favourites, until former Berkshire seamer Richard Logan stepped in to claim a vital 5-85 and bowl out the home side for 254 and clinch an unlikely 76 runs victory.
With two home games to come, against rivals Devon at Nantwich from Sunday - Tuesday, August 1-3 and Shropshire at Alderley Edge from Sunday - Tuesday, August 15-17, Cheshire have ground to make up on the two teams above them, but now must be in with a chance of retaining the Western group title.
Runaway leaders of the Eastern group are Suffolk with 78 points, followed by Lincolnshire, 62.
If Cheshire top their group they will stage the play-off over four days from September 5th-9th at Chester.
LATEST MINOR COUNTIES TABLE
Cheshire Cup holders win despite Doyle's 4 in 4 feat
HOLDERS of the Cheshire Cup, Alderley Edge reached the semi-finals with an exciting 16 runs win in round 5 at Nantwich on Sunday.
The game was notable for a remarkable feat by Nantwich all-rounder Ray Doyle who took four wickets with successive balls to complete the Alderley innings at 253-8 (Mark Currie 89, Alan Day 47, Jason Whittaker 44). Doyle dismissed Charlie Reid, Jason Whittaker , Tom Atkinson and Nick Reid to finish with 4-47. In reply Nantwich closed on 237-8 (Rob Howell 52, Nadeem Ahmad 47, Ray Doyle 40).
Other results: At Oulton Park: Bowdon 227 (Jordan Clark 76, David Ball 58); Oulton Park 194 (Rick Moore 61, Nathan Dumelow 47, Ben Gough 31, Steve Cheetham 3-30).
At Stockport. Stockport 153-9 (Tom Facer 57, Yasif Ali 3-23); Elworth 154-4 (Ron Beech 58).
At Didsbury. Neston 209 (Jack Smith 106); Didsbury 156 (Marcus Fisher 44, Nick Anderson 36, Chris Finegan 4-7).
Semi-final draw: Bowdon v Elworth (Sunday, August 8th); Neston v Alderley Edge (August 8th or August 15th). The final is on BH Sunday, August 29th.
CHESHIRE SHIELD SEMI-FINAL DRAW
SUNDAY'S Cheshire Shield quarter-final result: Chelford 112; Marple 116-2 (Brendan Couchi 51not out).
Semi-final draw: Cheadle (holders) v Congleton; Romiley v Marple (both games on Sunday, August 1st).
MELLER BRAGGINS CHESHIRE LEAGUE RESULTS
RESULTS of games in the Meller Braggins Cheshire League First Division on Saturday, July 24th included big wins for the top two clubs Stockport (at Alvanley) and Northwich (at home to neighbours Winnington Park).
Alvanley 200-7 dec. Stockport 201-6; Malpas 102 Davenham, 111; Mere 131 Trafford MV 151; Northwich 173-5 dec. Winnington Park 106; Oakmere 103-6 Hale Barns 99-9 dec.; Weaverham 226-5 dec. Ashley 30.
Table (after 14 games): Stockport 283 pts.; Northwich 272; Alvanley 245; Malpas 235; Hale Barns 221; Trafford MV 216; Weaverham 200; Ashley 197; Oakmere 190; Davenham, 168; Mere 152; Winnington Park 142.
It's Bunbury Festival Week
THE best young cricketers in England will be on view in Cheshire this week when the famous ESCA / Bunbury Under 15s Festival is staged in Cheshire for the first time, at Chester Boughton Hall, Tattenhall, Neston and Alvanley.
Fixtures (all 10.45 a.m.)
Monday (50 overs): London & East v Midlands (at Chester); also North v South & West (at Tattenhall).
Tuesday (50 overs): North v London & East (at Neston); also South & West v Midlands (at Christleton).
Wednesday (T20): Match A: Midlands v South & West (at Neston main ground); also Match B: London v East & North (Neston second ground)
Thursday (50 overs): North v Midlands (at Tattenhall); also London & East v South & West (at Alvanley).
Friday (T20): Winners match A v winners match B (Chester main ground); also Losers Match A v losers Match B (Chester second ground).
The event is organised by the Cheshire Schools Cricket Association in conjunction with the ESCA and it's famous sponsor David English, who was awarded the OBE for his services to cricket and charities in June.
TWO MORE TRANSFERS
ADITYA RAI moves from Hatherley & Reddings (Gloucester division of West of England League) to Ashton on Mersey. Indian-born, but UK resident, Rai has played Minor Counties cricket for Bedfordshire and Devon. Completed July 20th.
STEVE WHISTON has gone from Shaw (Saddleworth League) to Sale. Completed July 23rd.
o Clubs should note that no player may make his first appearance of the season for any club on or after Saturday August 14th except under special circumstances previously approved by the Cricket committee. All transfers must be completed before that date. See regulation 7d on page 265 of handbook
UNDER 17 FINALS
THE League Junior section stage their John North Under 17 play-offs on Sunday, August 22nd at Oxton, starting at 11 a.m. The event features the semi-finals and final of the competition.
HYDE CHARITY EVENT
HYDE have lost several valued members during the past year, including bar manager Sue White and former player and League umpire Dave Shaw.
On Saturday, August 28th (8 p.m.)the club plan a Charity event at Werneth Low in their honour to raise money for Cancer Research UK. They are trying to get hold of valuable auction items and to sell as many tickets as possible.
The event will involve entertainment by comedians and guest speakers followed by the auction plus food.
Co-organiser Rob Brierley would be delighted to receive offers for auction and can be contacted by anyone who would like to attend by e-mail at bobby brierley@yahoo.co.uk
NEWSLETTERS RECEIVED
APPRECIATION is expressed to Cheshire Association of Groundsmen secretary Brian Jarrard for a copy of his July Update
Brian announces there will be an open meeting at Heaton Sports Club on Wednesday, September 22nd when the speaker is Simon Parsons, head of research at Cranfield University.
CAG have purchased a new groundsman aerator which is currently housed at Tattenhall CC, but is available for other members' use.
A Foundation B training all-day course is to be held at Toft on Tuesday, September 14th starting at 9 a.m. led by Ian Brewster.
A deal has been agreed with Barenburg Seeds through Bancroft's of Hyde for members to purchase specialist wicket seed at £62 per bag.
ALSO received with thanks is Martin's Saxon's July issue of the Poynton CC Newsletter, Among many other interesting items, this reveals that that Brian Kingham's most recent century against Grappenhall on July 3rd was his 26th at senior level for the club.
July 17th revisited...
PREMIER LEAGUE umpires reports (pitch markings and outfield sections both carry a maximum of 20 pts.): Bowdon 11 - 17; Chester 15-19; Oulton Park 14-18; Oxton 16-20; Toft 15-18; Urmston 17-18.
TOP FIVE BATSMEN to date (stats from League website; o = Overseas player): oClarence 800; Currie 796; Wilkinson 758; L. Dixon 724; Smith 707. A total of 10 batsmen had scored 500 runs or more.
TOP FIVE BOWLERS: Warrington 44; Hawley 38; Whittaker 36; Finegan 34; Edwards 34. A total of 14 bowlers had taken 25 wickets or more.
Lou Vincent took four slip catches in Nantwich's seven wicket win at Oulton Park. Two weeks earlier he had snaffled five.
Skipper James Duffy had a great day for Hyde at Oxton: winning the toss, inserting the hosts who were dismissed for 100, taking three catches, then scoring au unbeaten 31to clinch a six wickets win. After a long drive south he next day scored a career-best 172 (before stepping on his own wicket: luck ended) against Berkshjre at Finchampstead
Man of the match in Toft's winning draw against Neston was wicket-keeper Pat Roberts, who scored an unbeaten 108, putting on 117 for the fifth wicket with Ed Bones (70), then took two catches and a stumping after tea. He, too travelled overnight to Berkshire to act as 12th man for Cheshire.
Urmston's defeat at home to Alderley Edge was the seventh game since their last win against Chester on May 29th. Alderley wicket-keeper Worrall, who scored an unbeaten 90 in this game, is of the Adam variety, not Andy.
The presence of the Newsletter Editor seems to bring the best out of Nantwich paceman Jimmy Warrington, his 7-55 haul in a seven wickets victory at Oulton Park followed 7-50 witnessed at Toft two weeks earlier. Good to see Nantwich enjoying a decent away following, which will grow bigger if the club's success continues. On the other hand, this was a real off day for Nathan Dumelow's team. All out for 96 is inexplicable with such a capable batting line-up. But these things happen. Thanks to the hospitable Sue Ramsbottom and her Oulton helpers for the ever-welcome interval cuppa.
FIRST DIVISION umpires reports: Christleton 17 - 20; Macclesfield 15-15; Middlewich 18-20; Poynton 12-12; Upton 12-15; Widnes 17-10;
TOP FIVE BATSMEN: Wilde 667; Rowe 581; oPassas 526; oEarl 523; oHenry 518. These are the only five to have topped 500 runs
TOP FIVE BOWLERS: Ali 50; D. Moore 44; Tait 39; oSchuppan 37; Mark Newman 32. 12 bowlers have reached 25 wickets.
Cheadle's horrific start contributed to their defeat at Christleton, batsmen nos. 2, 3 and 4 all collecting ducks in an inadequate tally of 158.
The Macclesfield Express newspaper contained criticism of the umpires' judgements in giving five lbws in the Macclesfield v Bollington derby game. Recently recovered from a major operation, panel umpire Rick Davis saw the match and felt the criticism was unfair. League policy is that clubs should be discouraged from submitting newspaper report which criticise umpires. If they have complaints about the officials they should be sent the appropriate source.
Heaton Mersey collected a total of 24 points, not 23 as originally reported, in their 71 runs win at Poynton.
Congratulations on submitting the tidiest result sheet of the week goes to scorer A. Robinson of Upton .
Comments here last week stating that Widnes' large support at Grappenhall included a number of young men who annoyed spectators by playing football in the outfield have been contested. "They weren't ours", says Widnes secretary Steve Duckers. As Grappenhall also disowned them, they must put them down as neutrals.
SECOND DIVISION umpires reports: Ashton on Mersey 12-17; Birkenhead Park 16-19; Bredbury result sheet missing; Congleton 17-15; Sale 13-15; Warrington 8-18.
TOP FIVE BATSMEN: Din 579; P. Wood 576; oHerrick 573; oZybrands 571; oLamb 522. Only these five players have topped 500 runs.
TOP FIVE BOWLERS: Greasley 51; Williamson 47; R. Halkon 45; Aqeel 42; J. Cash 4.0. Fourteen bowlers have taken 25wickets or more.
Aggregate runs in the Bredbury v Warrington match was a divisional best of season 568. For Warrington, James Hughes (90) and Mal Agar (79) added 111 for the third wicket.
Paul Ashling took three catches for Timperley at Brooklands and Greg Gyves three for Ashton on Mersey against Tattenhall. Ashton took seven points from this game, not six as reported.
Wicket-keeper Steve Worrall took a catch and stumping, then top-scored with 47 for Marple in their defeat at Congleton.
For Mobberley against Birkenhead Park, M Saeed (118) and Nathan Wood (56) put on 128 for the first wicket, then Saeed and Nafees Din (70) added 105 for the second wicket.
The Stockport Georgians v Sale game was completed in 33 overs by 4 p.m., Sale winning by 10 wickets.
No missing umpires' cards this week for which Assessment coordinator Ken Spilsbury praises clubs. He stresses that from July 24th he will acknowledge all texts received. List of missing cards for the first-half of the season is: Cheadle April 24, May 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12; Macclesfield May 8, June 26; Irby May 15, 29; Widnes June 19,26. Please send soonest, he appeals.
MISSING RESULT SHEETS: Upton v Macclesfield (Division 1, June 26); Middlewich v Warrington (T20, June 30); Brooklands v Macclesfield (T20, July 15); Bredbury St. Mark's v Brooklands (Division 2, July 17).
Saturday, July 31st .....fixtures & umpires
ECB Premier League (12.30 p.m.)
BOWDON v ALDERLEY EDGE Alistair Davies & John Lofthouse
NANTWICH v BRAMHALL Ian Drury & Dave Goulding
OULTON PARK v NESTON Peter Ogden & Geoff Wellsteed
OXTON v CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL George Murphy & Glyn Roberts
TOFT v DIDSBURY Stan Davies & John Silver
URMSTON v HYDE David Moss & Ian Ramage
First Division (1 p.m.)
CHEADLE v BOLLINGTON Stuart Anderson & Tom Park
CHRISTLETON v GRAPPENHALL Barrie Burns & *Martin Roberts
MACCLESFIELD v IRBY Paul Herring & Sagir Parkar
MIDDLEWICH v CHEADLE HULME Brian Jones & Don Speakman
UPTON v HEATON MERSEY Ray Prescott & Dave Sutton
WIDNES v POYNTON ** Derick van Rensburg & Clive Rice
* Martin Roberts (Cheshire League exchange) tels. 01925 758 739 (h); 07831 320 5126
** Derick van Rensberg tel. 01925 651 286
Second Division (1 p.m.)
BIRKENHEAD PARK v TIMPERLEY Ged Kinsey & Jeff Plumpton
BREDBURY ST. MARK's v MOBBERLEY Graham Harris & Wyn Harris
CONGLETON v TATTENHALL John Lowe & Ian Wilson
MARPLE v BROOKLANDS Peter Bolger & Trevor Burnett
SALE v ASHTON on MERSEY Bob Cunningham & Ken Rothwell
WARRINGTON v STOCKPORT GEORGIANS Ian Greensmith & Jon Hacking
Exchange appointment with Cheshire League Division 1 (1.30 p.m.)
HALE BARNS v ALVANLEY Peter Hayes (with David Batty)
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