Lots of things have gone well this season. Young players have taken their chance and established themselves: Charlie with the ball and Wiggy with the bat. Experienced players have continued to form the back bone of the side: Dan, Griff, Sam and Ian. We have welcomed new and returning 'pros': Dil, Eddie and Rob Fisher. Junior players have taken their first steps up the ladder and shown great promise: Max, Reg, Noah and Brad. But the ability of the skipper to win the toss when it matters has been absent and for the third rain curtailed game, the coin came down the wrong way for Chester. Batting.
Charlie Fleet (28) became Matthew Griffiths' (50) umpteenth opening partner and the pair did a perfect job. They advanced to the 20 over half way point without loss with the score at 75 and Griff the main contributor but Charlie was the big hitter of the pair, launching a six way over the ropes at deep backward square "Shot Potter!" However drinks brought wickets as both men succumbed quickly after the interval. Noah in and off the mark first ball but then given out caught behind (by the wicketkeepers Dad) having missed it. Dil and Wiggy knew the importance of a platform and built on those firm foundations. Wiggy is becoming a fine batting all rounder and his second significant contribution against Alderley Edge this season rattled along in contrast: watchful defence and effortless boundaries. His 85 not out and Dil's 33 were the key knocks post-drinks in setting a competitive 217 to chase down in 40 overs.
Tea. Hummus butties? Interesting and underwhelming addition to the menu, even Jeff wasn't keen.
Brad took the gloves behind the timbers for the first time at home and looked settled. Mark Currie (ex-Lancashire and Cheshire) opening the batting and one of the best batsmen in Premier League cricket of the recent past. He began quickly, enjoying the pace of Sam and Wiggy who, in truth, didn't hit the lengths required to begin with but then Wiggy removed Wildig with a strangle down the leg side. Pace off and the skipper and Charlie on. Alderley Edge batters have clearly spent some time working on the sweep which was played regularly. An excellent one-handed caught and bowled by the skipper and then an LBW kept the wickets ticking but Currie still there giving a batting masterclass. "It's not like this every week Noah!" Charlie then struck twice with another catch for Dan and a smart stumping but having bowled ten apiece, the slowies were off. Sam and Wiggy back and the former found the right length immediately removing Currie well caught at cover by Griff. An innings as good as anything you will see in second team cricket. Well batted. Sam took another two both bowled and then had an LBW turned down...hit on the full in front of the stumps. But with the total at last becoming too much, the last two batters held firm. 205 the final total.
An excellent game and 14 points more.

MotM - Wiggy who again batted brilliantly (if only it had been a 50 over affair)
DotD - Griff for wearing his 1st team sun hat on a damp, dismal afternoon.