Stockport Cricket Club

2012 season: August 4 Newsletter

YET ANOTHER WET SATURDAY, AS …
Macc move up to second

THE infuriating and apparently never-ending rain continues to play havoc with clubs’ prospects in the ECB Premier League, the elements contriving to produce only three winners on Saturday - Macclesfield, Alderley Edge and Urmston.
Macclesfield are now level on points with Hyde after their seventh victory – one more than Hyde - by 55 runs at home to Toft. Macc totalled 203-6, James Crosthwaite scoring 49 and a useful 44 not out from King’s School Chester batsman Andy Hodgson, while Robin Jones claimed 4-86 off 16 busy overs of leg-spin. While Aussie Jake Hancock was at the crease Toft always had a chance and he actually scored 93 of his side’s first 120 runs. But when he was dismissed for a superb 100, his third of the summer, the floodgates opened and the innings declined to 148 all out, left-arm pacdeman Craig Melrose taking a superb 6-52 and Ian Tait 3-52.
On a superb – and totally dry – pitch at Parkgate, Alderley Edge beat Neston by four wickets to pass the 200 points mark. Neston totalled 194, Andy Murphy 77, Chad Wilson 45, while Charlie Reid claimed 4-45 and Mark Warnes 4-46. Alan Day opened up with a useful 41 for Alderley, but the match-winning innings came from all-rounder Reid with an unbeaten 54, while Chris Finegan took 4-73.
Hyde, who continue to curse the weather, saw their match against Didsbury ended before tea by a typical Werneth Low downpour when they had reached 247-9 off 50 overs. Tom Twiney 66, Chris Tipper 51, Dave Fitzsimmons 41 not out and Scott Kirwin 40, all batting well against fine bowling from Nick Anderson who claimed 5-93 off 20 hard working overs. At least, Hyde were able to collect 10 points

Marple rain strikes again
Both Macclesfield and Hyde now lie four points behind Oxton, who suffered a mid-match wash out at Marple when the heavens opened on the Pennine foothills.
Luckless Marple have been harder hit than most with every home game this season either washed out or reduced by rain. They had scored 207 all out, James Crisall 71, Andy McGuinness 66, Ross Dixon 4-67. and collected eight points to Oxton’s seven.
Chester Boughton Hall were left with an impossible situation at home to Nantwich, who were put in, slumped to 11-4, then recovered to post 203-7, Lancashire 2nd batsman Louis Bentley (134) cracking his second successive unbeaten century, aided by Sam Hunt, 52. Alex Kegg, took 3-30. A long rain stoppage then reduced Chester’s reply, originally of 35 overs, to just 21 overs and they wheeled up 68-4, Lee Dixon 24 not out, to bank five points to Nantwich’s nine.
Urmston exchanged places at the foot of the table with Widnes when they applied an eight wickets trouncing to their Beaconsfield Road hosts.
Widnes opted to bat, but mustered only 116, Sam Agarwal 59, against England Under 15 spinner Matt Parkinson, who took 5-44 off 16 overs and Adam Syddall, 3-23. Chris Watson top scored with au unbeaten 43 as Urmston coasted home by eight wickets, their first win in 12 games since May 29, which was at home to Widnes.

Unfinished business for Neston
AFTER Neston had beaten Longton in the first ECB National t20 Area semi-final at Mochdre in North Wales on Sunday, the heavens opened and the ground was flooded.
The event will be resumed next Sunday at 12 noon with the second semi-final between hosts Mochdre and Tamworth (Birmingham League), Neston to play the winners at 4 p.m.
Fuller story on page 8.

AUGUST 4 NEWSLETTER: 2

Big Two lose in Division One
WITH defeats for Bowdon and Grappenhall, the two runaway clubs at the top of Division One, there now lies a glimmer of hope that Oulton Park could have a say in the final promotion reckoning.
They beat Bowdon handsomely by seven wickets at Little Budworth thanks to two towering individual performances. First by left arm seamer Guy Emmett who achieved a PB 8-62 off 23 aggressive overs to bowl Bowdon out for 175, Simon Marshall 47. Then by opener Rick Moore, whose high quality unbeaten 89 not only took his personal tally over the 700 runs mark but saw his side to a comfortable 178-3 in response. Oulton still lie 59 points behind in third place, but have the wind behind them.
Moore is this week being trialled for Kent in 2nd XI championship and T20 games against Somerset at Taunton Vale.
Grappenhall completed a miserable week with a second league defeat and early elimination on RedInsure Finals Day when bottom club Heaton Mersey beat them by 25 runs at Broad Lane. ‘Mersey played well and deserved their victory after posting 169-9, Pieter Vermeulen 41, Sam Guest 3-36. Apart from Aussie Jason Smith, the Grappenhall batsmen produced little and were bowled out for 145, by Rashid Amin, 4-26 and Hassan Rashid, 4-61.. Hassan Rashid was badly injured while fielding and had to be rushed by ambulance to Warrington Infirmary with a suspected broken leg.
Sale were possibly foiled of the victory they needed to renew their promotion bid when rain washed out play at Bredbury at tea, by which they time Sale had totalled 174, Jamal Benzafar 43, John Usher 3-47.
Bramhall’s winning streak
Bramhall kept up their winning streak with a five wickets home win against Irby, whom they dismissed for 126, Steve Hurworth 57, Travis Dean 3-15, Nick Bell 3-37, Simon Wilkinson bowling unchanged for 3-50. Matt Jamieson then played a sparkling innings of 64 not out off 50 balls as Bramhall replied with 128-5 in just 19 overs.
Brooklands looked anything but relegation candidates to earn a 24 runs home victory over Cheadle Hulme after batting first and scoring 168, Tom Holloway 41, A.J. Hart 37, Ewan McCray 3-45. Cheadle Hulme collapsed to 87-9 before a last wicket stand worth 57 between J. Locke, 38 and A. Newton, 21 not out, took then to a spirited 144. A.J. Hart returned 5-50 and John Birchall 4-42.
Bollington slipped into bottom spot when they lost by eight wickets to improving Christleton at Little Heath. Tom Barrass, 33, alone batted well for Bolly who were all out for 146, Ifti Naseer 4-26. Christleton replied with a confident 150-2, Iroshan De Silva 54 not out, Ben Patterson 51.

Division 2 challengers
THERE could be a tight finish in Division Two where Cheadle, Poynton and Warrington are all going well enough to pressure leaders Middlewich
Cheadle are only 10 points behind the leaders after a four wickets win at Malpas, who put up another spirited performance at the bottom of the table. They scored 159, Lee Dwyer 45, Pat Mackrell 43, but off-spinner Paul Sperring, 4-55 and paceman Adam Wadsworth, 4-57 were always in control. As was Martin Samuels after tea, with 61 in a reply of 160-6.
Warrington are also looking good, spearheaded by outstanding Aussie paceman Kyle Adams, whose match-winning 6-46 at Upton takes his tally for the season to 60 wickets. Upton were bowled out for 122, Jaren van Heerden 40, Chai Gadepatti 4-8 in reply to Warrington’s solid 191-7, Mal Agar 65, Paul Farrar 46, Chris Kirby 31 not out, Simon McGowan 3-44.
Poynton outshine leaders
The form of Poynton also remains good and they produced the better cricket in an 11 – 8 home draw against Middlewich. Poynton totalled 185, Jake Turner 70, Tom Berzins 39, Paul Parry 4-66 and Middlewich were happy to avoid their first defeat of the season at 167-8 in the 43 overs remaining after rain, Jack Williams 38, Danny Williams 3-38.
Congleton’s bid appears to have faded and they were facing a hiding at home to Tattenhall when rain ended play. Congleton were restricted to 154-9, Tom Hyslop 3-29 and Tatters were 112-0 at the premature close, Ollie Thompson 52, John Gibbon 48.
The Stockport derby at Cromley Road resulted in a solid 108 runs win for the Cale Green visitors who were put in and totalled 202-9, Mark Eley 80, Simon Normanton 4-79 bowling unchanged, Ifti Hussein 3-66. Eley also did well with the ball, his 3-17, plus 4-41 from Tom Facer bowling Georgians out for 94. John Leggett hit a spirited 48 not out at number nine, while there was an impressive 28 from first team debutant Oliver Hemlin.
Timperley beat Alvanley by five wickets at Stockport road after dismissing their visitors for 99, Matt Macquet 4-20, Mark Maddocks 3-22. R. Nicholson, 40, top-scored in Timperley’s reply of 100-5, C. Charles taking 3-29.
AUGUST 4 NEWSLETTER: 3

All Saturday’s scorelines

ECB PREMIER LEAGUE

CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL (won toss) v NANTWICH:
Nantwich 203-7 dec. (52 overs: L Bentley 134no, S. Hunt 52, A. Kegg 3-30);
Chester (innings reduced by rain: 68-4: 21 overs: L.Dixon 24no, J Warrington 2-24, C. Connolly 2-44).
Match drawn: Nantwich 9 pts. Chester Boughton Hall 5 pts.

HYDE v DIDSBURY (toss)
Hyde 247-9 (50 overs: T Twiney 66, C. Tipper 51, D. Fitzsimmons 41no, S Kirwin 40, N. Anderson 5-93);
Didsbury did not bat.
Match abandoned as draw due to rain: Hyde 10 pts., Didsbury 7 pts.

MACCLESFIELD v TOFT (toss)
Macclesfield 203-6 (55 overs: J. Crosthwaite 49, A. Hodgson 44no, R. Jones 4-86);
Toft 148 (41 overs: J Hancock 100, C. Melrose 6-52, I. Tait 3-52).
Macclesfield (25 pts.) beat Toft (2 pts.) by 55 runs

MARPLE (toss) v OXTON
Marple 207 (53 overs: J Crisall 71, A. McGuinness 66, R. Dixon 5-46, J. Fennah 3-18);
Oxton did not bat.
Match abandoned as a draw due to rain: Marple 8 pts., Oxton 7 pts.

NESTON v ALDERLEY EDGE (toss)
Neston 194 (55 overs: A. Murphy 77, C. Wilson 45, C. Reid 4-43, M. Warnes 4-46);
Alderley Edge 195-6 (48 overs: C. Reid 54no, A.Day 41, C. Finegan 4-73).
Alderley Edge (25 pts.) beat Neston (6 pts.) by 4 wickets.

WIDNES ( toss) v URMSTON
Widnes 116 (42 overs: S. Agarwal 54, M Parkinson 5-44, A. Syddall 3-23);
Urmston 118-2 (36 overs: C. Watson 42no, E. Fawcett 31).
Urmston (25 pts.) beat Widnes (0 pts.) by 8 wickets.

FIRST DIVISION

BRAMHALL (won toss) v IRBY:
Irby 126 (50 overs: S. Hurworth 57, T. Dean 3-25, N. Bell 3-37, S. Wilkinson 3-50);
Bramhall 128-5 (36 overs: M Jamieson 64).
Bramhall (25 pts.) beat Irby (2 pts.) by 5 wickets.

BREDBURY ST. MARK’S (toss) v SALE
Sale 174 (45 overs: J. Benzafar 43, T Hall 33, J. Usher 3-47);
Bredbury did not bat.
Match abandoned as a draw due to rain: 7 pts. each.

BROOKLANDS v CHEADLE HULME (toss)
Brooklands 168 (50 overs: T Holloway 41, A.J Hall 37, E. McCray 3-45);
Cheadle Hulme 144 (46 overs: J. Locke 38, A. Newton 21no = 57 for 10th wicket, A.J. Hart 5-50, J. Birchall 4-42).
Brooklands (25 pts.) beat Cheadle Hulme (5 pts.) by 24 runs

CHRISTLETON v BOLLINGTON (toss)
Bollington 146 (49 overs: T Barrass 33, I. Naseer 4-26);
Christleton 150-2 (28 overs: I. De Silva 54no, M. Patterson 51).
Christleton (25 pts.) beat Bollington (2 pts.) by 8 wickets.

GRAPPENHALL (toss) v HEATON MERSEY
Heaton Mersey 169-9 (50 overs: P. Vermeulen 41, W Rashid 32, S. Guest 3-36);
Grappenhall 145 (46 overs: J Smith 61, R. Amin 4-26, H Rashid 4-61).
Heaton Mersey (25 pts.) beat Grappenhall (5 pts.) by 24 runs

OULTON PARK (toss) v BOWDON
Bowdon 175 (45 overs: S Marshall 47, G. Baker 36, G. Emmett 8-62);
Oulton Park 178-3 ( - overs: R. Moore 89no).
Oulton Park (25 pts.) beat Bowdon (5 pts.) by 7 wickets.
AUGUST 4 NEWSLETTER: 4

SECOND DIVISION

CONGLETON v TATTENHALL (won toss)
Congleton 154-9 (50 overs: T Hyslop 3-28, T. Brock 3-38);
Tattenhall 112-0 ( - overs: O. Thompson 52no, J Gibbon 48no)
Abandoned as a draw due to rain: Congleton 7 pts., Tattenhall 7 pts.

MALPAS v CHEADLE (toss)
Malpas 159 (48: L. Dwyer 45, R. Mackrell 43, A. Sperring 4-55, A. Wadsworth 4-57);
Cheadle 160-6 (44 overs: M.Samuels 61).
Cheadle (25 pts.) beat Malpas (4 pts.) by 4 wickets.

POYNTON v MIDDLEWICH (toss)
Poynton 185 (49 overs: J Turner 70, T. Berzins 39, P. Parry 4-66);
Middlewich 167-8 (43 overs, eight lost to rain: J. Williams 38, A Cole 33, D Williams 3-38).
Match drawn: Poynton 11 pts., Middlewich 8 pts.

STOCKPORT GEORGIANS (toss) v STOCKPORT
Stockport 202-9 (50 overs: M. Eley 80, S Normanton 4-79, I. Hussain 3-66);
Georgians 94 (22 overs: J Leggett 48no, O Hemlin 28, T. Facer 4-41, M Eley 3-17).
Stockport (25 pts.) beat Stockport Georgians (4 pts.) by 108 runs

TIMPERLEY (toss) v ALVANLEY
Alvanley 99 (47 overs: M. Macquet 4-20, M. Maddocks 3-32);
Timperley 100-5 (24 overs: R Nicholson 40, C. Charles 3-29).
Timperley (25 pts.) beat Alvanley (2 pts.) by 5 wickets.

UPTON (toss) v WARRINGTON
Warrington 191-7 (50 overs: M. Agar 65, P. Farrar 46, C. Kirby 31no, S. McGowan 3-44);
Upton 122 (41 overs: J. van Heerden 40, K. Adams 6-46, C. Gadepatti 4-8).
Warrington (25 pts.) beat Upton (3 pts.) by 69 runs


PICK OF WEEK

ECB Premiership. Batting: Louis Bentley (Nantwich) 134no v Chester Boughton Hall; . Bowling: Nick Anderson (Didsbury) 5-93 v Hyde.

First Division. Batting: Rick Moore (Oulton Park) 89no v Bowdon. Bowling: Guy Emmett (Oulton Park) 8-62 v Bowdon.

Second Division. Batting: Mark Eley (Stockport) 80 v Stockport Georgians. Bowling: oKyle Adams (Warrington) 6-46 v Upton.


Leading individual stats to July 28 (o = overseas player)
PREMIER LEAGUE (top five batsmen): K..Sawas (Macclesfield) 764 runs; L. Dixon (CBH) 511; A. Day (Alderley Edge) 493; oJ. Hancock (Toft) 467; T. Twiney (Hyde) 452.
Top five bowlers: A. Birley (Oxton) 42 wickets; J. Whittaker (Alderley Edge) 39; J. Warrington (Nantwich) 36; R. Porter (Macclesfield) 33; oG. Fernando (Oxton) 32.
Wicket-keeper: A. Worrall (Alderley Edge) 15 c & 5 st = 20 victims.

FIRST DIVISION batting: R. Moore (Oulton Park) 616; I. De Silva (Christleton) 525; oW. Lubbe (Sale) 497; C. Wood (Bredbury) 473; A Wilde (Cheadle Hulme) 429.
Bowling: R. Halkon (Sale) 38; oV. Sood (Christleton) 37; R. Houghton (Irby) 32; A.J. Hart (Brooklands), R. Kitzinger (Bramhall), G Edwards (Bowdon), oJ. Smith (Grappenhall) all 28.
Wicket-keepers: T. Gane (Bowdon) 11c & 4 st; J. Reeh (Cheadle Hulme) 9c & 6 c; R. Wood (Brooklands) 9 c & 6 st all 15 victims.

SECOND DIVISION batting: oJ. Bailey (Congleton) 438; oM. Macquet (Timperley) 437; J. Cornford (Middlewich) 411; oT. Hyslop (Tattenhall) 382; G. Barber (Stockport) 371; J. Cornford (Middlewich) 369. oT. Hyslop (Tattenhall) 384; G. Barber (Stockport) 376.
Bowling: oK. Adams (Warrington) 54 wickets; I. Grindley (Timperley) 36; R. Fisher (Alvanley) and P. Sperring (Cheadle) both 32 wickets; oD. Freitag (Middlewich) 30.,
Wicket-keeper: C. Fletcher (Alvanley) 14c & 3 st = 17 victims. .
AUGUST 4 NEWSLETTER: 5

Tables after 16 games

ECB Premier P W D A/C L BAT BOWL TOTAL
(25) (2) (7)

OXTON 16 7 1 4 4 16 11 232
MACCLESFIELD 16 7 1 3 5 16 14 228
HYDE 16 6 2 4 4 33 13 228
CHESTER BO. HALL 16 7 3 0 6 16 19 216
ALDERLEY EDGE 16 5 4 3 4 28 24 206
NANTWICH 16 5 3 4 4 17 18 194
NESTON 16 5 3 3 5 22 20 194
MARPLE 16 4 5 5 2 22 14 181
DIDSBURY 16 4 2 4 6 21 20 173
TOFT 16 4 5 1 6 16 30 163
URMSTON 16 3 2 3 8 40 19 159
WIDNES 16 4 0 5 7 10 10 155




Division 1 P W T D C L BAT BOWL TOTAL
(25) (18) (7)

BOWDON 16 10 0 0 3 3 10 3 284
GRAPPENHALL 16 9 0 1 3 3 14 10 272
OULTON PARK 16 5 0 5 2 4 43 21 213
SALE 16 6 0 3 5 2 9 10 210
CHRISTLETON 16 5 0 3 3 5 26 21 199
CHEADLE HULME 16 5 0 2 3 6 18 23 191
BRAMHALL 16 5 1 2 3 5 8 13 189
BREDBURY ST. MK. 16 2 0 6 3 5 56 31 170
BROOKLANDS 16 4 0 6 1 5 14 24 157
IRBY 16 2 0 3 3 8 38 27 142
HEATON MERSEY 16 3 0 4 3 6 13 21 138
BOLLINGTON 16 1 0 5 5 5 28 19 117


Bredbury St. Mark’s v Bramhall on June 16 resulted in a level scores draw:
Bredbury St. Mark’s 11 pts. Bramhall 18 tie pts.

Division 2 P W D C L BAT BOWL TOTAL
(25) (2) (7)

MIDDLEWICH 16 9 6 1 0 13 22 279
CHEADLE 16 9 2 4 1 4 8 269
WARRINGTON 16 8 2 3 3 14 14 253
POYNTON 16 7 3 4 2 16 16 241
CONGLETON 16 5 3 4 4 26 17 202
STOCKPORT 16 5 6 1 4 33 24 201
TIMPERLEY 16 4 2 3 7 19 23 167
TATTENHALL 16 4 3 3 6 10 14 151
STOCKPORT GEO. 16 3 4 4 5 16 23 150
ALVANLEY 16 3 2 1 10 21 31 138
UPTON 16 3 2 3 8 14 23 137
MALPAS 16 1 3 1 11 29 22 89





AUGUST 4 NEWSLETTER: 6

Third XI season extended
THE Sunday Third XI season has been extended by seven days to Sunday, September 23 because so many matches have been hit by rain and re-arranged. Due to cup games
Third XI Results secretary Peter Lawson has obtained the approval of the Cricket Committee for this move.
Eligibility will be based on 1st and 2nd XIs as at September 15 to avoid 3rd and 4th XI fixtures being overloaded in the extended week-end. Result sheets must be submitted to Peter Lawson ASAP after the games.
Secretary Lawson is becoming increasingly frustrated by lack of co operation from clubs over result sheets. He has issued a special appeal for late details in his July 29 Newsletter.

O MATCH REGULATION 28 will shortly come into effect. This states that no player may make his maiden 1st and 2nd XI appearance of the season for his club during the last five Saturdays unless he has already played in a game under the auspices of the League, including an Over 40s fixture (parent club only). The player will need special permission to do this. The last five Saturdays are August 18, 25 and September 1,8 and 15.
Latest transfer approved takes Keith McGuffie from Marple to Elworth, where he plans to play in the CCL’s Sunday Third XI Division 2. Keith, who now lives at Sandbach and works in Stoke on Trent, leaves with a heavy heart after 17 years at Marple, including four as an outstanding chairman and nine as Third XI captain.

O GRAPPENHALL were credited with 10 points instead of the correct total of six for their Division One home game against Bramhall on July 28.

THE five-wickets- in-five-balls feat featured in last week’s Newsletter (and The Cricket Paper) by 16 year-old Sale bowler Johnathen Dickens in a Sunday 3rd XI Division 2 game at Timperley on July 29, WAS a League record.
Four wickets in four balls has been achieved four times: by GARY SAUNDERS (Sale 1st ) v Marple in 1996; STEVE PICKLES (Cheadle Hulme 2nd) v Alsager in 2001; and in 3rd XI cricket by STEVE SMITH (Marple/Mellor) v Warrington in 2009 and MARK ELEY (Stockport) v Bowdon in 2011

O CLUBS who need further supplies of cricket balls should contact League Treasurer Andy Woods. Tel. 01244 400 219 (work mobile) or by e-mail on andrew@hargreaveswoods.co.uk

O OFFERTON have indicated their interest in associate membership of the League in 2013 at 3rd XI and Over 40s levels.

O STILL MISSING: 1st XI result sheet Cheadle v Alvanley from Saturday, July 21.

O ROMILEY chairman Mick Rowe has a new e-mail address: jmrowe6@googlemail.com

O FINES will be invoiced at the end of the season, not at half-way and again at the end, as in the past.

O ANY club having difficulty leaving their Saturday evening results on the dedicated phoneline 01606 888 745 are urged to ring 01606 88 3715 as an alternative. There have been transmission problems .

O CHESHIRE Cricket Board are asking as many senior players as possible to complete a survey on cricket in the county. They can do so by tabbing into: http//www.cheshirecricketboard.co.uk/survey.htm

O CHRISTLETON hope to field one of their former star players Alex Barr during the remainder of the season. Barr has appeared in North Wales representative cricket

Meller Braggins Cheshire League round-up
FIRST DIVISION results in the Meller Braggins Cheshire League on Saturday, August 4:
Ashley 99-4 Northwich 109; Ashton on Mersey 46-7 Hale Barns 142; Davenham 185-7 dec., Oakmere 128; Lindow 103 Mobberley 106-5; Runcorn 86 Weaverham 188-6 dec. Prestbury v Winnington Park late result.
PLACINGS after 16 games: 1., Weaverham 313; 2. Davenham 301; 4. Hale Barns 223; 4. Ashton on Mersey 204; 5. Prestbury 190; 6. Runcorn 150; 7. Ashley 162; 8. Mobberley 160; 9. Winnington Park 159; 10. Oakmere 156; 11. Northwich 151; 12. Lindow 132. Division 2 leaders: 1. Chester Co. Officers 313; 2. Kingsley 290; 3. Woodford 259.
FIXTURES in Division 1 on Saturday, August 11 (1.30 p.m.): Hale Barns v Prestbury; Mobberley v Runcorn; Northwich v Ashton on Mersey; Oakmere v Lindow; Weaverham v Ashley; Winnington Park v Davenham.
Final of the T20 Cup at Winnington Park on Sunday, September 2 is between Weaverham and Runcorn or Langley.
PITCH marks table after 14 games shows Bunbury top with an average of 4.67 (maximum 5); 2. Cholmondeley 4.40; 3. Runcorn 4.33; 4. Oakmere 4.33. Promotion candidates Weaverham are 11th with 3.86 and Davenham 28th with 3.25.
Information kindly provided by Graham Coull (from Paris)

AUGUST 4 NEWSLETTER: 7

Cheshire v Berks all square
HONOURS ended roughly even after the first day of Cheshire’s Minor Counties championship match against Berkshire at Nantwich on Sunday.
Cheshire profited from a bright third wicket partnership worth 106 between Macclesfield’s prolific Khalid Sawas (63) and skipper James Duffy (54), other good knocks coming from opener Warren Goodwin, 40 and Ross Dixon, 34. Former Surrey and England spinner Shaun Udall bowled poorly to claim 0-38 off eight overs and was outshone by fourth change spinner Guyveer Singh who took 4-24 as the last four Cheshire wickets fell without addition to the total of 264.in 69 overs. .
Like Cheshire, without a championship victory this season, Berkshire went for the runs and closed on 155-4 off 38 overs, 109 runs behind. Ian Tait took 2-72 and Adam Syddall and Danny Woods both claimed one wicket apiece.
Play continues on Monday and Tuesday at 11 a.m. daily.
Cheshire team: James Duffy captain, Danny Berry. Tom Twiney (Hyde), Jonny Kettle (Nantwich) wicket-keeper, Warren Goodwin, Lee Dixon (Chester Boughton Hall), Khalid Sawas, Ian Tait (Macclesfield), Ross Dixon (Oxton), Adam Syddall (Urmston),. Danny Woods (York).
O Cheshire ‘s former Hyde spinner Danny Woods has helped York reach the semi-final of the Kingfisher Beers (formerly National Club ko) in which they will be at home to Bamford Fieldhouse on Sunday, August 26.
O The Development XI meet their Staffordshire counterparts at New Brighton on Monday – Tuesday, August 13 – 14.

Cheshire Cup semi-finals
SEMI-FINALS of the Cheshire Cup to be played on Sunday, August 12 (1.30 p.m.):
Chester Boughton Hall v Toft (at Chester); Hyde v Elworth (at Hyde).

SHIELD UP-DATE
IN the outstanding Cheshire Shield quarter-final on Sunday, Oulton Park beat Wilmslow Wayfarers by 72 runs: Oulton Park 284-5 (Pat Roberts 103no, Danny Leech 65, Ben Kettle 42); Wilmslow 212 (John Unsworth 47). .
Draw for the semi-finals (Sunday, August 12, 1.30 p.m.): Stockport v Bowdon; Oulton Park v Upton
Information kindly provided by Cheshire Cup/ Shield organiser Rick Davis.

Finals dates
FINALS Day in the new-style RedInsure 2nd XI T20 Trophy is at Timperley on Sunday, August 19..
Quarter-final scores: Timperley 128-8 Didsbury 128-5 (Didsbury won tied game through losing fewer wickets; Didsbury then found to have fielded ineligible player and match awarded to Timperley; Didsbury have now appealed); Bramhall v Cheadle result not received; Grappenhall 148-6 Middlewich 136-8; Chester Boughton Hall 165-4 Warrington 112-8. Semi-final draw yet to be made.
THE Jack Gardner 3rd XI Trophy Finals are at Warrington on Sunday, August 12 from 12 noon. Semi-finals draw: Bredbury St. Mark’ v Widnes (on main ground); Cheadle v Didsbury (second ground). Winners meet in final.

Pitch &Outfield marks: July 28
Premier League
Alderley Edge v Chester. Pitch: 4-4-5-4 – 17; Outfield 5-4-4-5 = 18.
Didsbury v Nerston: 4-5-4-4- = 27; 4-4-5-5 = 18.
Nantwich v Oxton: 4-4-4-4 = 16; 4-4-5-5 = 18
Toft v Hyde: 2- (inconsistent bounce) 4-3-4 = 13; 5-5-4-5 = 19.
Urmston v Macclesfield: 3-3-3-3 = 12; 5-5-5-4 = 19.
Widnes v Marple: 4-4-4-4 = 16; 4-4-4-4 = 16.

First Division
Bollington v Brooklands: match abandoned no marks
Bowdon v Irby: 3-4-3-4 = 14; 5-5-5-5 = 19
Cheadle Hulme v Bredbury: 4-4-4-4 = 16; 4-4-4-5 = 17.
Grappenhall v Bramhall: 5-4-5-5 = 19; 5-5-5-5 = 20.
Sale v Oulton Park: 5-5-5-4 = 19; 5-5-5-4 = 19.
Heaton Mersey v Christleton: 5-4-5-4 = 18; 4-5-5-5 = 19

Second Division
Alvanley v Congleton 4-4-4-4 = 16; 4-4-5-5 = 18;
Middlewich v Upton: 5-5-4-5 = 19; 5-5-5-5 = 20.
Poynton v Malpas: 2 (insistent bounce) – 4-3-4 = 13; 3-4-5-4 = 16.
Stockport v Timperley: 4-5-4-4 = 17; 4-4-5-5 = 18.
Tattenhall v Cheadle: 5-4-5-4 = 18 5-5-5-5 = 20.
Warrington v Stockport Georgians: 5-4-5-4 = 18; 5-5-5-5 = 20.
All captains’ reports on umpires were submitted to co ordinator Ken Spilsbury.
AUGUST 4 NEWSLETTER: 8

Neston half-way there
NESTON will have to travel back to Mochdre in North Wales to complete their ECB t20 Area final after Sunday’s event was abandoned due to rain.
Neston did well to eliminate North Staffs & South-Cheshire Premier League champions Longton in a rain reduced semi-final. Neston scored 149-6 off 20 overs (Luke Camden 75, Jack Smith 49), then restricted Longton to 103-8 off 19 overs, winning on faster run rate.
A thunderstorm put paid to the second semi-final between hosts Mochdre (North Wales champions) and Tamworth, the Birmingham League representatives. They will now meet next Sunday at 12 noon, the winners taking on Neston in the final at 4 p.m.
Should Neston win they will stage the Regional finals at Parkgate the following Sunday, August 19, against Liverpool Competition club Northern, who won the North-West finals day. beating Horwich RMI and Fleetwood.
The winners there will go through to the four-cornered National Finals Day at Edgbaston on Thursday, September 6.

Scorecards from League T20 Finals Day at Neston on July 29

REDINSURE FINAL

HYDE (won toss) NESTON
T. Twiney c Hurst b Davis 9 J. Smith c Kirwin b O’Reilly 13
J. Duffy b Davis 77 C Hackett run out 2
D. Berry C Roberts b Wilson 17 L. Camden c Makin b Kirwin 0
C. Tipper st Roberts b Stimson 18 A Murphy st Makin b Tipper 6
S. Kirwin b Davis 12 D. Hurst b Lomax 29
J. Ashley b Crick 2 C. Wilson b O’Reilly 27
D. Fitzsimmons b Finegan 3 A. Roberts not out 46
M. Makin not out 2 C. Finegan not out 14
R. Brierley c Hackett b Finegan 0 Extras 5
K. O’Reilly c Smith b Finegan 0 Total (for 6 wickets, 20 overs) 142
G. Lomax not out 0 Did not bat: A Davis, J. Crick, P. Stimson
Extra 1
Total (for 9 wickets, 20 overs) 141

Neston bowling: Finegan 4-0-23-3; Camden 2-0-15-0; Davis 4-0-21-2; Crick 3-0-28-11; Wilson 3-0-39-1;
Stimson 4-0-14-1.
Hyde bowling: Tipper 4-0-14-1; Kirwin 4-0-8-1; O’Reilly 4-0-28-2; Lomax 3-0-33-1; Duffy 4-0-45-0;
Fitzsimmons 1-0-10-0.

Umpires: Jon Hacking & Dion Kelly. Scorers: John Lofthouse and Chris Camden.
Man of Match and Champagne Award winner: Andy Murphy.

Neston won by 4 wickets (off last ball).

PLATE FINAL

TOFT (won toss) CHRISTLETON
T. Drummond b Naseer 26 I. Naseer c Jones b Lomas 2
J. Hancock c & b Sood 94 J. Creek st Ashling b Atkinson 0
E. Stubbs b Sood 65 I. De Silva c Jones b Lomas 2
A Carolan st Peel v Sood 0 V. Sood c Ashling b Mudalige 29
S Mudalige run out (Coulson) 11 M. Astbury st Ashling b Atkinson 11
P. Ashling st Peel b Sood 0 B. Patterson run out (Drummond) 2
A. Hughes not out 0 H. Peel st Ashling b D. Hancock 29
Extras 16 G. Newell st Ashling b D. Hancock 28
Total (for 6 wickets, 20 overs) 212 M Coulson b D. Hancock 0
Did not bsat: J. Joes, T. Atkinson, J. Lomas, M. Parkinson not out 3
D. Hancock. A. Butcher st Ashling b Hancock 0
Extras 28
Total (all out, 20 overs) 134

Christleton bowling: Parkinson 2-0-21-0; Coulson 2-0-19-0; Naseer 4-0-34-1; Sood 4-0-15-4; De Silva 4-0-42-0; Astbury 2-0-41-0; Newell 2-0-27-0.
Toft bowling: Atkinson 4-0-215-2; Lomas 4-0-19-2; D. Hancock 4-0-8-4; Jones 4-0-29-0; Mudalige 2-0-40-1; Drummond 2-0-16-0. Wicket-keeper P. Ashling claimed six victims (1 c & 5 stumped).
Umpires: Graham Harris & Chris Smith. Scorers: Pat Sutton and John Bignell.
Man of Match: Josh Hancock (Toft). Champagne Award winner: Ed Stubbs (for fourth successive six, which lost pink ball).

Toft won by 78 runs.

AUGUST 4 NEWSLETTER: 9

Key 40s game to be re-arranged
THE key game in the Central group of the Over 40s section between Toft and Grappenhall last Wednesday was called off at short notice due to a cloudburst – but is to be re-arranged.
With Alsager Dabbers winning at Ashley the same evening, it was vital for Grappenhall to win as well to stand any chance of finishing joint top of the group and forcing a play-off. Unfortunately, the groundsman had left the covers off and heavy rain arrived just before play was due to start. The match is to be re-arranged for Monday or Tuesday, August 13 or 14. If Alsager and Grappenhall do finish joint top they will play-off during the week commencing Monday, August 20 after a toss for choice of grounds. .
Neston clinched the West section when their final game, at Upton, was rained off.
Already North-West zone winners, Urmston Tigers’ game at home to Cheadle was another casualty of the weather.
In the South-East zone, Bollington Veterans will retain the title if they beat Bramhall in their final game
Grappenhall, Sale Silverbacks (two) and Bollington Vets, who all won group and play-off trophies last season are urgently requested to return the silverware to the Competition secretary ASAP - engraved to date if possible. Irby have already done so.
The play-off semi-finals and final are at Urmston on August Bank Holiday Monday from 12 noon.
Over 40s cricket this season is sponsored by TailorMade Group pensions

O Clubs are continuing to fail to report matches cancelled. All results - and cancellations - MUST be notified by the home club to Competition secretary Mike Talbot-Butler by telephone, fax or preferably e-mail, as soon as possible after close of play and by Saturday am at the latest. £15 fines will be imposed on the laggards.

West group:

CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL v OXTON: Oxton could not raise a team
Chester Boughton Hall (4 pts.) won by default

UPTON v NESTON: Upton conceded game.
Neston (4 pts.) won by default.

WARRINGTON v IRBY:
Cancelled due to rain: 2 pts. each.

Central group:

ASHLEY v ALSAGER DABBERS: Alsager 169-1 (Welch 32, Price 31, Stanyer 30, Bason 30, Armitage 24); Ashley 64-8 (Sohail 19, Hindle 2-5). Reduced to 15 overs each.
Alsager Dabbers (4 pts.) won by 105 runs

BOWDON VALE VIKINGS v DAVENHAM
Cancelled due to rain: 2 pts. each

MOBBERLEY v BOWDON: Mobberley 78-6 (Wheeldon 35, Karma 3-14); Bowdon 79-5 (Thompson 31). Reduced to 15 overs each.
Bowdon (4 pts.) won by 5 wickets.

TOFT v GRAPPENHALL: postponed due to rain
To be re-arranged

North-East group:

ALDERLEY EDGE WIZARDS v SALE SILVERBACKS:
Cancelled: 2 pts. each

CHEADLE HULME LADYBRIDGE v CHEADLE HULMR:
Cancelled: 2 pts. each

URMSTON TIGERS v CHEADLE:
Cancelled: 2 pts. each





AUGUST 4 NEWSLETTER: 10


South-East group

BRAMHALL v BREDBURY SAINTS (at Bredbury) : Bredbury 178-3 (Clarke 30, C. Wood 30, Nuttall 30, Barlow 340); Bramhall 81-8 (Stoneman 30).
Bredbury Saints (4 pts.) won by 97runs.

MACCLESFIELD v POYNTON LEGENDS: Poynton 108-7 (Martin 33, Kingham 30, Whittingham 6-8); Macclesfield 104-6 (Frame 35).
Poynton Legends (4 pts.) won by 4 runs.

WOODLEY BOLLINGTON VETERANS:
Cancelled; 2 pts. each

HOW THEY STAND

West Group P W C L PTS.

NESTON 12 8 4 0 40 champions
CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL 11 7 3 1 34
IRBY 11 5 4 2 28
TATTENHALL WRECKERS 11 3 2 6 16
OXTON 11 2 3 6 14
UPTON 11 2 3 6 14
WARRINGTON 11 0 5 6 10

Central Group P W C L PTS.

ALSAGER DABBERS 13 9 3 1 42
GRAPPENHALL 12 8 3 1 38
TOFT 12 6 3 3 30
BOWDON VALE VIKINGS 13 5 3 5 26
BOWDON 13 4 4 5 24
DAVENHAM 13 2 6 5 20
ASHLEY 13 3 3 7 18
MOBBERLEY 13 0 3 10 6

North-East group P W C L PTS.

URMSTON TIGERS 11 8 3 0 38 champions
CHEADLE HULME 11 5 4 2 28
CHEADLE 11 4 4 3 24
CHEADLE HULME LADY. 12 4 5 3 26
SALE SILVERBACKS 11 3 4 4 20
BROOKLANDS 11 2 2 7 12
ALDERLEY EDGE WIZARDS 11 0 4 7 8

South-East group P W C L PTS.

BOLLINGTON VETERANS 11 8 3 0 38
BREDBURY SAINTS 11 8 1 2 34
POYNTON LEGENDS 11 6 3 2 30
MARPLE 11 3 4 4 20
MACCLESFIELD 12 3 3 6 18
WOODLEY 11 1 4 6 12
BRAMHALL 11 0 2 9 4

FINAL FIXTURES: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8 (6 p.m.)
WEST GROUP: Oxton v Warrington; Tattenhall Wreckers v Chester Boughton Hall; Upton v Irby. Open: Neston.
CENTRAL GROUP: Ashley v Toft; Bowdon Vale Vikings v Bowdon; Grappenhall v Mobberley. Thursday: Alsager Dabbers v Davenham. Monday or Tuesday, August 13 or 14: Toft v Grappenhall.
NORTH-EAST GROUP: Brooklands v Sale Silverbacks; Cheadle Hulme v Cheadle; Urmston Tigers v Alderley Edge Wizards. Open: Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge.
SOUTH-EAST GROUP: Bollington Veterans v Bramhall; Marple v Woodley; Poynton Legends v Bredbury Saints. Open : Macclesfield

AUGUST 4 NEWSLETTER: 11


Saturday, August 11:
fixtures and umpires

ECB PREMIER LEAGUE (12.30 p.m.)

ALDERLEY EDGE v HYDE Ian Greensmith & Phil Prince
DIDSBURY v MACCLESFIELD Neville Kent & Chris Smith
NANTWICH v NESTON Jon Hacking & Ged Kinsey
OXTON v CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL Trevor Burnett & Alistair Davies
TOFT v WIDNES Barrie Burns & Don Flanagan
URMSTON v MARPLE Geoff Wellsteed & Liverpool Competition*
* Tom Park is to umpire a Liverpool Competition fixture under the exchange scheme.

DIVISION 1 (1 p.m.)

BOLLINGTON v GRAPPENHALL Tony Morris & David Moss
BOWDON v BREDBURY ST. MARK’s Clive Rice & Steve Walton
CHEADLE HULME v CHRISTLETON Stuart Anderson & John Lofthouse
HEATON MERSEY v BRAMHALL Dave Goulding & Chris Moore
IRBY v OULTON PARK Dion Kelly & Ray Prescott
SALE v BROOKLANDS Stan Davies & Steve Duckers

DIVISION 2 (1 p.m.)

ALVANLEY v STOCKPORT GEORGIANS Ken Rothwell & Gary Zimmer
CHEADLE v CONGLETON Allan Lewis & Glyn Roberts
MIDDLEWICH v MALPAS Paul Herring & Ken Simpson
STOCKPORT v UPTON Howard Briggs & Graham Harris
TATTENHALL v TIMPERLEY Bob Cunningham & Ian Wilson
WARRINGTON v POYNTON Wyn Harris & Brian Jones

2nd XI PREMIER DIVISION (1 p.m.)

BRAMHALL v URMSTON Club umpire & no panel umpire available
CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL v CHEADLE John Lowe & Club umpire
GRAPPENHALL v TOFT Ankit Jain & Cub umpire
HYDE v ALDERLEY EDGE No panel umpires available
MACCLESFIELD v DIDSBURY Club umpire & no panel umpire available
NESTON v NANTWICH Club umpire & Neville Abberley

Last word …..

The 2012 London Olympics.
Team GB.
JUST WONDERFUL.




Mike.t-b@virgin. net: August 6, 2012