Cheadle at home and the end of the world forecast but if you play anywhere, it's Chester. The covers, the blotter and Keggy who worked his wonders and the pitch was fine to play, green but fine. Cheadle incredulous but on the M56. In the rain.
The whole team had put in a shift to help Keggy and Tom but a last minute change saw Charlie Fleet recalled to the side. Griff did the main job of the day and won the toss on a very helpful looking wicket with 30 overs a side the agreed match length. Alex 'Wiggy' Townend has been an excellent 2s player for a number of seasons, a stalwart of the double winning side of 2019 with skills that make him a key player with bat and ball and so it proved today. Buoyed by Leeds' victory over the Spurs, he tore in and blew the top order away with movement off the pitch allied with accuracy. Stumps flew, bails soared and at 10 for 3 when it rained, it was clear that Cheadle were none too keen to come out and face some more. But fair play to Aaron Wall and his side - COVID league winners last season - who gritted their teeth and did their best to post something resembling a total. Wiggy's ten over spell yielding 4 for 10. Sam Mallows took one with the new ball before the slow blowing triumvirate of Fish(1), Charlie (2) and Dan (2) read the rights on Cheadle in the 27th over for a gritty 66.
With the 3rd XI Supporters Chairman and some first team players in the prime spots in the tent, only the weather could scupper the route to the top of the table courtesy of 25 points. The batting order changed and Tommy switched with Bobby to open with Reg as Griff slid down the order so as not to dampen his best bat. The win was never really in doubt even when Reg (21) and Tommy (23 and no 6s!) perished having batted positively and struck the ball to the fence frequently. It was left to that man Wiggy, promoted to number 4, to seal the win. 17 not out and a lovely drive down the ground for 4 to win the game in the tenth over.
Great win in the circumstances and great leapfrogging up the table to the summit. 12 points clear, still unbeaten and indebted to Keggy in particular for getting the game on.

MotM - Wiggy who had a real day out in the damp - he likes playing Cheadle you know!
DotD - Joe Killoran who had his kit - all of it; his tupperware boxes - all three of them but he wore his 'Whaaaaam Action' Monikered pyjamas to the game...you can't make it up!