CHESHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE

2017 SEASON: NEWSLETTER NO. 2 - April 29

Aussie paceman claims 13 wickets in first two games for champions

REIGNING ECB Premier League champions Alderley Edge will be among the favourites to keep their title if new Aussie paceman Hamish Winter-Irving can maintain his early-season form.

After his 6-40 return had routed Grappenhall on the opening day, the 24 year-old Victorian with the Scottish Christian name claimed even better figures of 14-4-32-7 to help dismiss Didsbury for 81 in 28 overs at Moss Lane on Saturday. He was helped by Tom Foreman’s 3-38. The Alderley batsmen also had a struggle in a reply of 84-5, skipper Adam Worrall seeing his team over the line with an unbeaten 35.

Also with 50 points from two games are Timperley, who won by four wickets at Bramhall after dismissing their hosts for 180, Matt Higginbottom 39, Jack White 4-47. In Timperley’s reply of 181-6, Abishekh Kulkarni scored 38 and Craig Grindley 37 not out, while Luke Littlewood took 3-23.

Toft are the third club with maximum points, their second victory being by four wickets at Hyde, thanks largely to Lancashire’s Rob Jones who scored a superb unbeaten 100 (18 fours and a six). He was helped by Sam Hatcher, 33 as Toft replied with 195-6 - Jason Whittaker 4-66 - to Hyde’s tally of 199, Danny Berry 39, Jones 3-27, Tom Forster 3-37.

Grappers shock CBH

Chester Boughton Hall, who had opened up with a huge victory over Neston, were trounced by six wickets at Grappenhall after being restricted to 199, Harry Killoran 53, Rick Moore 52. Gaz Burns, 4-45 did the main damage. Grappers replied with 203-4 in just 44 overs, Ol Lynch 77 not out, Adam Roylance 41, James MccCoy 35 not out.

Nantwich won a low-scoring game by two wickets at Bowdon after sending their hosts back for a paltry 127, Simon Marshall 35, Jimmy Warrington 4-21, Ollie Griffiths 4-24. Nantwich responded with 130-6, Henry Dobson 41 and Ireland World Cup star Niall O’Brien 32, while newcomer Dewi Jones claimed a superb 6-42 for the South Downs Road club. Last season’s Premiership runners-up have now lost both opening games.

Neston recovered from their hammering at Chester to beat Cheadle by 130 runs at Parkgate in a game they dominated with bat and ball. Will Evans scored 54 and Ash Davis 32 in Neston’s tally of 215-9, Josh Dooler 4-57, Rashid Amin 3-31. Cheadle crumbled after tea to 85 all out, Matt Stewart claiming 3-6 and the evergreen Chris Finegan 3-35.

APRIL 29 NEWSLETTER: p2

Division 1: Only Bolly and Oulton Park 100 pc

ONLY two clubs have 100 per cent records in Division One after the first two games.

Leaders in alphabetical order are Bollington, who followed up an opening day victory at Upton with a four wickets defeat of Oxton at the Recreation Ground. Oxton ran up 193-9, Marc Debrabender 48 and Bolly topped that with six wickets and 10 balls to spare, Jack Ward 41 and Simon Dunn, 36 leading the way.

Oulton Park’s strong batting was again evident when they beat Upton by four wickets at Little Budworth. Their visitors ran up a handy 217, Chris McArthur 90, Mohammed Kashif 4-40, to which Park responded with 221-6 in 43 overs, Martyn East top scoring with 89.

Highest scorers of the day were relegated Urmston, who amassed 336-4 at Weaverham after Sumit Panda 156 (14 fours and 10 sixes) had put on 209 for the third wicket with Furkan Hassan 103 (13 fours and a six). Weaverham settled for a draw with a reply of 201-2, Cohen McElroy 74.

In a match switched to Walton Lea on Sunday as their own ground is not yet ready after winter-long remedial work, Marple played impressively to beat Warrington by 17 runs. Marple scored 247-5, Andrew Hall reaching a classy 60 before retiring with a sprained ankle, while skipper Paul Wood scored 55. Warrington’s South African batsman Johan Els (70) batted well, before his team’s innings closed at 230. Wood completed a fine personal performance with 6-49.

Relegated Macclesfield inflicted the second successive defeat on Sale, by nine wickets at Victoria Road. Apart from Mat Spels, 41, Sale batsmen had no answer to the cutting edge of John Birchall, 5-50 and were all out for 102. All-rounder Birchall then top scored with an unbeaten 64 as Macc coasted home on 103-1.

Davenham enjoyed a winning draw at promoted Widnes, totting up 226-6 batting first, Aussie Peter Gallichan being run out for 89 and James Loveridge 62. Widnes settled for draw points at 179-6, Matt Burns 50, Ben Hewitt 45.

TWO SHARE DIVISION 2 LEAD

ALVANLEY and Stockport share top spot in Division Two with a maximum 50 points from two games.

Alvanley were impressive in recording a seven wicket home victory over Mobberley, who were dismissed for 157, Abdul Aqeel 45, James Ecclestone 4-19. John Whitley (54) top-scored when Alvanley responded with 158-3.

Stockport won by three wickets in a high-scoring game against Cheadle Hulme at Grove Park after their hosts had posted 202-6. Stockport replied with 203-7 with three overs to spare.

New boys Romiley had the pleasure of registering their very first County League victory, by four wickets against Northwich on their fine ground at Birchdale Drive. They dismissed Northwich for 150, G. Cherion 43, M. Flatley 3-12, M D’Souza 3-31, then ran up 151-6 after tea, led by T. Rolph 43. Spinner Andy Dufty took 4-26.

Brooklands crushed Christleton by 116 runs after posting a handsome 215, Kevin Carroll top-scoring with 64 and later taking five catches. Matt Astbury returned 6-59 for Christleton who were all out for 99, number 11 batsman Zaighum Abbass contributing an unbeaten 35 and will surely now rise up the order.

Skipper Stuart Sadler scored a club record innings of 171 in Tattenhall’s decisive 132-runs victory over Bredbury at The Flacca. He hit 21 fours and a six in an innings which involved a 114-run third wicket partnership with Dylan Reeves. Left arm spinner Dave Shewring later took 7-20 to bowl St. Mark’s out for 113.

APRIL 29 NEWSLETTER: p3

SATURDAY’S SCORELINES

ECB Premier League

At Moss Lane:

ALDERLEY EDGE (won toss) v DIDSBURY

Didsbury 81 (28 overs: Winter-Irving 7-32, Foreman 3-38);

Alderley Edge 84-5 (20 overs: Worrall 35no, Rowe 26).

RESULT: Alderley Edge (25 pts.) beat Didsbury (2 pts.) by 5 wickets

At South Downs Road:

BOWDON (won toss) v NANTWICH

Bowdon 127 (49 overs: Marshall 35, Warrington 4-21, Griffiths 4-24);

Nantwich 130-8 (33 overs: Dobson 42, O’Brien 32, Jones 6-42).

RESULT: Nantwich (25 pts.) beat Bowdon (2 pts.) by 2 wickets.

At Church Lane:

BRAMHALL v TIMPERLEY (won toss)

Bramhall 180 (53 overs: Higginbottom 39, West 32, White 4-47);

Timperley 181-6 (55 overs: Abishekh Kulkarni 38, C. Grindley 38no, Cooper 33, Littlewood 3-23).

RESULT: Timperley (25 pts.) beat Bramhall (6 pts.) by 4 wickets.

At Broad Lane:

GRAPPENHALL v CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL (won toss)

Chester 199 (53 overs: Killoran 53, Moore 52, Burns 4-45).

Grappenhall 203-4 (44 overs: Lynch 77no, Roylance 41, J McCoy 35no);

RESULT: Grappenhall (25 pts.) beat Chester (7 pts.) by 6 wickets.

At Werneth Low:

HYDE v TOFT (won toss)

Hyde 191 (51 overs: Berry 39, Fitsimnons 35, Jones 3-27, Forster 3-37).

Toft 195-6 (40 overs: Jones 100no, Hatcher 32, Whittaker 4-66).

RESULT: Toft (25 pts.) beat Hyde (8 pts.) by 4 wickets.

At Parkgate:

NESTON v CHEADLE (won toss)

Neston 215-9 (55 overs: Evans 54, Davis 32, Dooler 4-57, Rashid Amin 3-31)

Cheadle 85 ( 31 overs: Rashid Amin 17, Stewart 3-6, Finegan 3-35).

RESULT: Neston (25 pts.) beat Cheadle (4 pts.) by 130 runs.

Best of the Day:

Batting: c Rob Jones (Toft) 100no v Hyde.

Bowling: o Hamish Winter-Irving (Alderley Edge) 7-32.

APRIL 29 NEWSLETTER: p4

Division One

At Recreation Ground:

BOLLINGTON (won toss) v OXTON

Oxton 193-9 (50 overs: DeBrabender 48, Crawley 44, Seale 3-54);

Bollington 194-6 (49 overs: Ward 41, Dunn 36, Cross 33, Horsfield 30no, Magann 3-50).

RESULT: Bollington (25 pts.) beat Oxton (8 pts.) by 4 wickets.

At Victoria Road:

MACCLESFIELD (won toss) v SALE

Sale 102 (36 overs: Spels 41, Birchall 5-50, Melrose 3-25).

Macclesfield 103-1 (22 overs: Birchall 64no, Tudor 27no).

RESULT: Macclesfield (25 pts.) beat Sale (0 pts) by 9 wickets.

At Walton Lea on Sunday:

MARPLE v WARRINGTON (won toss)

Marple 246-5 (50 overs: Hall 60, Wood 55);

Warrington 230 (49 overs: Els 71, Wood 6-49).

RESULT: Marple (25 pts.) beat Warrington (6 pts.) by 16 runs

At Pinfold Lane:

OULTON PARK (won toss) v UPTON

Upton 217 (48 overs: McArthur 90, Stowell-Smith 27, Mohammed Kashif 4-40);

Oulton Park 221-6 (43 overs: East 89, Douglas 34, Begg 32, Roberts 32no, Battersby 3-37, Cross 3-28).

RESULT: Oulton Park (25 pts.) beat Upton (10 pts.) by 4 wickets.

At Wallerscote Road:

WEAVERHAM v URMSTON (won toss)

Urmston 336-4 (50 overs: Sumit Panda 156, Furkan Hassan 103 = 209 for 3rd wicket);

Weaverham 201-2 (50 overs: McElroy 74, Eaton 47no, Walker 41).

RESULT: Match drawn: Urmston 11 pts.; Weaverham 6 pts.

At Beaconsfield Road:

WIDNES (won toss) v DAVENHAM

Davenham 236-6 (50 overs: Gallichan 89, Loveridge 62, Hunt 37, D. Moore 3-38);

Widnes 179-6 (50 overs: Burns 50, Hewitt 45, Kirby 33mo).

RESULT: Match drawn: Davenham 13 pts.; Widnes 6 pts.

Best of Day

Batting: Sumit Panda (Urmston) 156.

Bowling: Paul Wood (Marple) 6-49 v Warrington.

APRIL 29 NEWSLETTER: p5

Division 2

At Frodsham Road:

ALVANLEY (won toss) v MOBBERLEY

Mobberley 157 (47 overs: Aqeel 45, Northover 32, James Eccleston 4-19, Ouzounidis 3-41, Ainsworth 3-51).

Alvanley 158-3 (36 overs: Whitley 54, Gee 46no, Rose 3-53).

RESULT: Alvanley (25 pts.) beat Mobberley (5 pts.) by 7 wickets.

At The Croft:

BARROW v LINDOW (won toss)

Lindow 177-7 (50 overs: Parfett 82, O ‘Brien 38);

Barrow 181-6 (49.3 overs: Manesh Nissanka 57, Metcafe 38no).

RESULT: Barrow (25 pts.) beat Lindow (8 pts.) by 4 wickets.

At Brooklands Sports Club:

BROOOKLANDS v CHRISTLETON (won toss):

Brooklands 215 (50 overs: Carroll 64, Buchan 40, Astbury 6-59, Shavaiz Saif 3-41);

Christleton 99 (37 overs: no. 11 Zaighum Abbas 35no, Raj Singh 3-10, Potter 3-12, Jones 3-28).

RESULT: Brooklands (25 pts.) beat Christleton (4 pts.) by 116 runs

At Grove Park:

CHEADLE HULME v STOCKPORT (won toss)

Cheadle Hulme 202-6 (50 overs):

Stockport 203-7 (47 overs):

RESULT: Stockport (25 pts.) beat Cheadle Hulme (11 pts.) by 3 wickets.

At Birchvale Drive:

ROMILEY v NORTHWICH (won toss)

Northwich 150 (43 overs: Cherion 43, D’Souza 3-31, Flatley 3-12);

Romiley 152-6 (49 overs: Rolph 43, Badrock 34, Dufty 4-26).

RESULT: Romiley (25 pts.) beat Northwich (6 pts.) by 4 wickets

At Flacca Field:

TATTENHALL (won toss) v BREDBURY ST. MARK’S

Tattenhall 245-5 dec. (47 overs: Sadler 171 club record, Reeves 39);

Bredbury 113 (45 overs: Shewring 7-20).

RESULT: Tattenhall (25 pts.) beat Bredbury (3pts.) by 132 runs.

Best of Day

Batting: Stuart Sadler 171 v Bredbury St. Mark’s

Bowling: Dave Shewring (Tattenhall) 7-20 v Bredbury St. Mark’s

APRIL 29 NEWSLETTER: p6

TABLES @ WEEK 2

ECB Premier League

WTWDRDLDA/CLBatBowlPts.(25) (16) (3) (2) (1) (7)

ALDERLEY E.20000000050

TIMPERLEY20000000050

TOFT20000000050

NANTWICH10100003334

CHESTER BH10000016132

GRAPP’HALL10000014029

NESTON10 000011228

HYDE01000016224

CHEADLE01000010420

BOWDON00000028614

BRAMHALL00001015612

DIDSBURY0000002347

Division 1WWDRDLDA/CLBatBowlPts.

BOLLINGTON2000000050

OULTON PARK2000000050

DAVENHAM1100008238

MACCLESFIELD1000018235

MARPLE1000018134

OXTON1000016233

WIDNES1001003231

WARRINGTON1000014231

URMSTON01000114219

UPTON0000029615

WEAVERHAM0001014510

SALE000002044

Division 2WWDRDLDA/CLBatBowlPts.

ALVANLEY2000000050

STOCKPORT2000000050

BARROW1001004434

ROMILEY1000014433

BROOKLANDS1000013432

TATTENHALL1001003130

LINDOW1000013230

MOBBERLEY1000004130

BARROW01010010721

NORTHWICH01000112520

BREDBURY ST. MK.0100019517

CHRISTLETON00000212113

CHEADLE HULME0000028412

APRIL 29 NEWSLETTER: p7

Saturday, May 6: League fixtures & umpires

ECB Premier League (all 12.30 p.m. unless stated)

ALDERLEY EDGE V BRAMHALLBrian Boys & Darrin Clark

CHEADLE V GRAPPENHALLJohn Potts & Gary Zimmer

CHESTER BO. HALL V DIDSBURY (12 noon)Dion Kelly & Steve Walton

HYDE V BOWDONMartin Pugh & Graham Howe

NANTWICH V TIMPERLEYGed Kinsey & David Tate

TOFT V NESTONBarrie Burns & John Williams

First Division (1 p.m. unless stated)

BOLLINGTON V MARPLERon Bedson & Garry Hambleton

DAVENHAM V MACCLESFIELDSteve Jackson & Phil Prince

OXTON V OULTON PARKAnkit Jain & Ken Rothwell

SALE V WARRINGTON (12 noon)David Cookson & David Gane

UPTON V WEAVERHAMIan Baker & Martin Roberts

URMSTON V WIDNESTrevor Burnett & Keith Tysall

Second Division (all 1 p.m.)

BREDBURY ST. MARK’S V ROMILEYPeter Davies & Simon Smith

BROOKLANDS V ALVANLEYJon Hacking & Siva Venkatachalam

CHRISTLETON V BARROWGraham Church & Ian Greensmith

LINDOW V TATTENHALLAlistair Davies & Wilf Seville

NORTHWICH V CHEADLE HULMEJames Drummond & Ray Prescott

STOCKPORT V MOBBERLEYGraham Harris & Chris Rigg

Ground reports from Saturday, April 23

UMPIRES’ Pitch and Ground marks reported to 1st XI Competition secretary Ian Sharrock following matches played on the opening day of the season Saturday, April 23, were as follows (maximum 20):

ECBPremier League: Alderley Edge pitch 16 outfield 19; Cheadle 14-17; Chester 20-20; Didsbury 16 – 19; Nantwich 19 – 20; Toft 18-19.

Division 1: Davenham pitch 17 outfield 17; Oxton 17 – 20; Sale 17 – 17; Upton 16 – 17; Urmston 17 – 18; Warrington 17 – 17.

Division 2: Bredbury pitch 16 outfield 18; Christleton 19 – 20; Lindow 14 – 16; Mobberley 18 – 17; Northwich 18 – 16; Stockport 14 – 18.

FINES DATABASE

THE League’s new Fines Database in now up and running reports League secretary Geoff Wellsteed.

To access the information, the procedure is: go to the Pitchero website click on Information; click on Forms; then click on Fines Database.

APRIL 29 NEWSLETTER: p8

Cheshire beat Shropshire

in opening game

CHESHIRE opened their Unicorns knock- out group programme with a 46-runs victory

over Shropshire in excellent conditions at Oxton on Sunday (writes Jim Law).

Cheshire totalled a modest 214 from 46 overs, Rick Moore, 59 and Will Evans, 38 top-scoring. Oulton Park’s Danny Leech made his first county appearance since 2009 and scored 16 while wicket-keeper James Seward hit an impressive 27 on debut and later took three catches,.

Shropshire were bowled out for 168 in the 39th over, Jack White taking 3-32, Rick Moore 2-31 and Harry Killoran 2-44.

Cheshire had to re-arrange their team when Wayne White and Ollie Freckingham pulled out at short notice. The line-up was:

Lee Dixon captain, Rick Moore, Harry Killoran Jack Williams (Chester Boughton Hall ); Ash Davis, Will Evans (Neston), James Seward wicket-keeper (Formby), Nick Anderson (Didsbury), Ryan Brown, (Nantwich), Danny Leech (Oulton Park), Danny Woods (York), Jack White (Timperley).

O Cheshire’s next group game is against Wales at Newport on Sunday, May 7 (11 a.m.).

LANCASHIRE TWOS AT CHESTER

Cheshire meet Lancashire 2nd XI in a 50 overs challenge match at Chester on Wednesday this week (11 a.m.). The 15-man Cheshire squad is that for the Shropshire match plus Warren Goodwin (Chester), Calum Rowe (Alderley Edge).

NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS

LEAGUE Registration and Assistant Secretary Tony Morris has a new e-mail address which is not recorded in the 2017 handbook. All clubs should make a note of the following:

Over Forties’ go pink

OPENING games in the Over 40s section are to be played on Wednesday this week when League-issue pink balls should be used by all teams.

A warm welcome is offered to newcomers Whalley Rangers, who visit Bowdon Vale Vikings in the North-East division.

Results must be submitted within 48 hours by e-mail; telephone (01606 883715) or via the League website.

FIXTURES (6.15 p.m.)

Central Division: Ashton on Mersey v Davenham; Grappenhall v Ashley; Toft v Timperley; Warrington v Mobberley.

North-East Division: Bowdon Vale Vikings v Whalley Rangers; Brooklands v Urmston Tigers; Cheadle Hulme v Cheadle; Sale Silverbacks v Bowdon.

South-East Division: Bollington Veterans v Bredbury Saints; Bramhall v Alderley Edge Wizards; Macclesfield v Woodley; Offerton v Poynton Legends.

West Division: CBH Blazers v Caldy (switched to Caldy); Irby v Upton; Oxton v Neston; Tattenhall Wreckers v Weaverham.

APRIL 29 NEWSLETTER: p9

National Club ko up-date

FIVE clubs from the Cheshire County League will be involved in second round games in the Royal London National Club knock out.

They include Neston who scored a notable round one victory at Liverpool Competition neighbours New Brighton after being omitted from the original draw.

FIRST ROUND RESULTS

Group 6:

Leigh beat UPTON by 8 wickets.

Wigan lost to CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL by 4 wickets:

New Brighton lost to NESTON by 22 runs: Neston 280-7 (D. Hurst 61, D Smith 54no, W. Evans 40); New Brighton 258 (were 235-3: A. Clarke 81, L. Botes 73, P. Sarvaiya 4-45).

Group 7:

Sentinel lost to NANTWICH by 1 wicket.

Round 2 draw (Sunday, May 14):

Group 5: Heywood v Prestwich; Walsden v Horwich; Bamford Fieldhouse v Roe Green; HYDE v Littleborough or Bradshaw.

Group 6: BOWDON v St. Helens or Formby; Leigh v Bootle; Northern v Stretford or Wallasey; NESTON v CHESTER

Group 7: Stone v NANTWICH; Shrewsbury v Shifnal; Wolverhampton v Ombersley; Kiddermister v Old Hill.

Davidstow Village knock-out

FIRST round (May 1): TATTENHALL bye; ALVANLEY v Corwen.

SECOND ROUND (May 15): TATTENHALL v Birch Vale and Thomsett; ALVANLEY or Corwen v Caldy or Northop.

Winning start for Sixties

CHESHIRE made a winning start to their National Over 60s championship campaign when they beat Durham by nine wickets at Cheadle. Scores:

Durham 45 all out (Mike Cushion 4-12, Howard Morris 2-11, Bob Yardley 2-11, Phil Noble 1-0); Cheshire 46-1 (Paul Mitchell 30 not out).

Cheshire are away to Yorkshire on Tuesday this week.

LOOKING AHEAD …

OPENING group games in the League’s Joseph Holt Brewery T20 to be played on Thursday, May 11 (6 p.m.) are: Oxton v Neston; Widnes v Warrington; Northwich v Weaverham; Nantwich v Oulton Park; Urmston v Sale; Brooklands v Didsbury

First round games in the Cheshire Cup and Shield are on Sunday, May 21.

APRIL 29 NEWSLETTER: p10

UKFast Cheshire League results

DISLEY and Stockport Georgians are the early pace makers in the First Division of the UKFast Cheshire League, both with 50 points from two games.

Results of games played on Saturday:

DISLEY 101-3 beat IRBY 98-9 by 7 wickets: 25 – 2 pts.

HALE BARNS 205-8 drew with MIDDLEWICH 176-9: 17 – 10 pts.

HASLINGTON 177-9 drew with BARNTON 153-9: 15 – 10 pts.

LYMM OUGHTRINGTON PARK 198-8 drew with ASHTON on MERSEY 202-9: 17 – 16 pts.

PORT SUNLIGHT 215-6 drew with CONGLETON 130-9. 17 – 9 pts.

STOCKPORT GEORGIANS 188-6 beat RUNCORN 187: 20 – 13 pts.

Points to date :1. Disley 45; 2. Stockport Georgians 45; 3. Hale Barns 42; 4. Haslington 35; 5. Runcorn 33; 6. Lymm 32; 7. Irby 27; 8. Port Sunlight 24; 9. Ashton on Mersey 19; 10. Middlewich 16; 11. Congleton 14; 12. Barnton 1 pts.

Division 1 fixtures on Saturday, May 6 (1.30 p.m.)

ASHTON on MERSEY v STOCKPORT GEORGIANS

BARNTON V MIDDLEWICH

CONGLETON V DISLEY

IRBY V LYMM OUGHTRINGTON PARK

PORT SUNLIGHT V HALE BARNS

RUNCORN V HASLINGTON

Former League president dies

THE death has occurred of former Cheshire Cricket League secretary and president John Brocklebank, aged 85.

John was a long-term Bowdon Vale player and official, representing the club on the league management committee before taking league office.

His funeral is at Vale Royal Crematorium on Tuesday, May 9 at 11.30 a.m.

Umpires quiz:by Alistair Davies

QUESTION. A wide ball is called when a delivery strays down the leg side. The wicket- keeper gathers the ball and throws it at the stumps, but misses. The ball hits the striker out of his ground, but not attempting a run, then rebounds on to the stumps, dislodging a bail. There is an appeal. What should the decision of the umpires be?

ANSWER. Next week.

Umps’ ramble along Trent & Mersey