CHESHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE
2017 SEASON: NEWSLETTER NO. 3 – MAY 6
Dark horses Timperley
making their mark
TIPPED as possible dark horses for the ECB Premiership, Timperley have started the season at a gallop, Saturday’s 110 runs victory at Nantwich being their third in a row.
Craig Grindley’s side posted 220-9, Danny Cooper 63, Abhishek Kulkani 47, Jimmy Warrington 5-46. To which the Dabbers – minus Niall O’Brien, playing for Ireland against England at Lord’s next day – responded feebly with 110 all out with Rob Cook-Sievwright was their top scorer on 26, while Jack White claimed an impressive 4-54 and Chris Page 3-39.
Timperley share top spot with reigning champions Alderley Edge who also made it three in a row when they beat Bramhall by 76 runs in a third successive match game played at Moss Lane. Calum Rowe, 60, Richard Wilkinson 45 and skipper Adam Worrall, 43 top-scored in Alderley’s 231-9. Former Derbyshire all-rounder Matt Higginbottom claimed 4-76 and Simon Wilkinson 3-53.
Struggling for runs, Bramhall were all out for 155,leaving skipper Nick Cantello unbeaten on 49, the main damage being caused by Andy Windle’s 3-31.
Lancashire starlet Rob Jones was again in magnificent form for Toft, but fell six runs short of his third century in eight days before Neston went on to force a draw at Booth’s Park. Toft posted 309-7, Jones, 94 being well-partnered by Tom Forster, 75 and James Drummond, 48, while Ash Davis took 4-66. Neston’s reply was a solid 258-8, Will Evans contributing 104 (15 fours and a six) in a third wicket stand worth 165 with Dom Smith, 85. Jimmy Lomas took 3-38 and Jones 3-66 for Toft who earned 14 – 8 draw points.
CBH back after ‘hiccup’
After what they claimed was a hiccup defeat at Grappenhall, Chester Boughton Hall returned to winning ways with a 104 run success at home to Didsbury which had a 12 noon start. CBH recovered from a potentially disastrous 94-7 to reach 218 thanks to teenager Harry Killoran, 58 and Will Owen, 55, with Simon Normanton taking 4-71. Newly-promoted Didsbury who have yet to pick up the premiership pace, were bowled out for 114, Killoran completing a good day with 4-39, while Warren Goodwin enjoyed even better figures of 4-18.
Cheadle recorded their first win, by 38 runs against Grapenhall at Kingsway. Inserted, Cheadle posted a handsome 257-9, with Greg Dixon 71, while Adam Roylance took 5-59. Grappenhall looked on course with Luke McCoy – back with his first club – hitting a fine 78 and Roylance 50 then number 8 batsman Adam Green seared a rapid 71. But a late collapse saw Grappers bowled out for 219, Rashid Amin claiming 4-58 and Dan Brown 3-34.
Bowdon’s first victory was by 29 runs at Hyde, who have made their customary poor start to the season. In a tally of 211 Bowdon skipper Simon Marshall top-scored with 78, with spinner Dan Cranmer taking a handsome 6-61. James Duffy dominated Hyde’s reply, but even his fine knock of 113 (13 fours and four sixes) was not enough to save his side from closing on 182, speed duo Matt Tully 5-37 and Chris Ashling 3-51.
MAY 6 NEWSLETTER: p2
MARPLE LEAD DIVISION 1
AN impressive seven wickets victory to end Bollington’s 100 per cent record, hoisted Marple to pole position in the First Division after three games.
Marple dismissed Bolly for 164, Simon Dunn 34, Paul Wood 3-30, Andy Greasley 3-31, then replied with a comfortable 165-3. Skipper Paul Wood was again to the forefront with 68 not out and Andrew Hall 42.
Oulton Park ease up to second place even though they only managed a losing draw at Oxton. The Wirral men batted well to post 228-7, Dane Williams 94, Andy Gibson 64, Matt Parkinson 3-50. Park battled modestly in reply to reach 150-3, the usually adventurous Danny Leech, closing unbeaten with 51 from 134 balls
Widnes are showing good form on their promotion, making another good impression with a score of 267-3 to win by seven wickets in a high scoring game at Urmston. For Urmies, former skipper Sumit Panda hit his second successive century with 122 (17 fours and five sixes) in a tally of 261-4 declared in 48 overs. Widnes reply was led by Marcus Fourie 124 (17 fours and three sixes) and Fayaz Ughradar, 64.
Upton registered their first win since promotion by six wickets at home to Weaverham after restricting their visitors to 146, Rob McMillan 62, Richard Battersby 4-15, Neil Cross 3-41. Upton responded with 147-4, Matt Ingram 58 not out, Chris McArthur 36.
Sale’s first victory was by two wickets at home to Warrington, who batted well to reach 202-7, Brad McIntosh 77, Mike Rudd 47, Richard Adams 3-39, Jeremy McFarlane 3-35. Aussie all-rounder McFarlane later shone with the bat, his innings of 85 helping the Dane road men to 203-8 with just one ball to spare.
Davenham extracted 15 draw points from the visit of Macclesfield to Butcher’s Stile after being inserted to total 212-5, Sam Hunt 79 not out, Ben Gough 54, Tom Tudor 3-34. Macc hung on at 163-9, Tudor 66, Will Hodgson 35, Ben Gough 3-22, Danny Hancock 3-47.
De Silva lifts Barrow top of Division 2
A MEMORABLE all-round performance by one of the League’s most popular players, Sri Lankan-born Iro De Silva, lifted Barrow to top spot in the Division Two.
De Silva took it out of one of his former clubs, Christleton at The Croft with a magnificent unbeaten 121 (14 fours) out of 248-5, helped by Alex Reid 44, while Shavaiz Saif returned 4-74. De Silva’s spin went on to claim 6-20 and dismiss the visitors for 128, Josh Joseph 32 not out.
Lindow have also made a good start, beating Tattenhall by one wicket in a thrilling finish at Upcast Lane. Tatters posted 218-5, Connor Windell 74, Dylan Reeves 55, to which Lindow responded with 222-9 with two balls left, Ryan O’Brien and former Macclesfield batsmen Tom Parfett both scoring 67. Andy Styan took 3-54 and Alan Brock 3-55 as Tatters almost pulled it off in an exciting finale.
Brooklands inflicted Alvanley’s first defeat by four wickets at Georges Road. Alvanley were bowled out for 117 (Chris Charles 40, Tom Mitchell 4-37, A.J. Hart 3-40). Brooklands replied with 118-5, skipper Hart 33 not out, Chris Hart 32, Mike Rowlands 3-28.
New boys Romiley registered their second win in a row, by eight wickets at Bredbury St. Mark’s, whom they dismissed for 97, Paul Garner taking 4-25 and Alex Hooton 3-22.
Mobberley did well to win by six wickets chasing Stockport’s 198-9 at Cale Green, Tom Facer 46, Hassan Syed 3-40. Nick Butters hit 55 and Mark Goldstadt 43 not out as Mobberley eased home with 200-4.
Northwich emerged with 15 – 7 draw points from the visit of Cheadle Hulme to Moss Farm. Chandrika Wathukarage scored 59, Matt Dufty 58 and Lee Evans 50 not out as Northwich piled up an impressive 246-6, Juan-Jacques Strydom 3-64. The one-time League champions whose glory days seem a distant memory, replied with 203-9, Tom Whitehouse 65, Waqar Hassan 43. Jim Plant took 3-26 and Andy Dufty 3-82 as Northwich just fell short of a maximum return.
MAY 6 NEWSLETTER: p3
SATURDAY, MAY 6 SCORELINES
ECB Premier League
At Moss Lane:
ALDERLEY EDGE v BRAMHALL (won toss)
Alderley Edge 231-9 (55 overs: Rowe 60, Wilkinson 45, Worrall 43, Higginbottom 4-76);
Bramhall 155 (46 overs: Cantello 49no, Windle 3-31).
RESULT: Alderley Edge (25 pts.) beat Bramhall (5 pts.) by 76 runs
At Kingsway:
CHEADLE v GRAPPENHALL (won toss)
Cheadle 257-9 (55 overs: Dixon 71, Brown 42, Rashid Amin 30, Roylance 5-59, Guest 3-61).
Grappenhall 219 (53.5 overs: Green 71, L. McCoy 67, Roylance 50, Amin 4-58, Brown 3-34).
RESULT: Cheadle (25 pts.) beat Grappenhall (7 pts.) by 38 runs
At Boughton Hall Avenue:
CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL (won toss) v DIDSBURY
Chester 218 (54 overs: Killoran 58, Owen 55, Normanton 4-71);
Didsbury 114 (29 overs: Taylor 26, Goodwin 4-18, Killoran 4-39).
RESULT: Chester (25 pts.) beat Didsbury (4 pts.) by 104 runs
At Werneth Low:
HYDE (won toss) v BOWDON
Bowdon 211 (48 overs: Marshall 78. Hey 41, Cranmer 6-61, Peacock 3-32);
Hyde 182 (54 overs: J. Duffy 113, Peacock 30, Tully 5-37, Ashling 3-51)
RESULT: Bowdon (25 pts.) beat Hyde (6 pts.) by 29 runs
At Whitehouse Lane:
NANTWICH v TIMPERLEY (won toss)
Timperley 220-9 (55 overs: Cooper 63, Abhishek Kulkami 47, Lawrence 32, Warrington 5-46).
Nantwich 110 (29 overs: Cook-Sievwright 26, White 4-54, Brenner 3-14, Page 3-39).
RESULT: Timperley (25 pts.) beat Nantwich (4 pts.) by 110 runs.
At Booth’s Park
TOFT v NESTON (won toss)
Toft 3098-7 (55 overs: Jones 94, Forster 75, Jackson 34, Davis 4-66);
Neston 258-8 (55 overs: Evans 104, Smith 85, Lomas 3-38, Jones 3-66).
RESULT: Drawn: Toft 14 pts. Neston 8 pts.
Best of the Day ……….
BATTING: James Duffy (Hyde) 114 v Bowdon
BOWLING: Dan Cranmer (Hyde) 6-61 v Bowdon.
ALL-ROUNDER: Harry Killoran (CBH) 58no (batting @ 9) and 4-39 v Didsbury
MAY 6 NEWSLETTER: p4
Division 1
At the Recreation Ground:
BOLLINGTON v MARPLE (won toss)
Bollington 164 (49 overs: Dunn 34, Dickinson 31, Greasley 3-30, Wood 3-31, Morahan 3-42).
Marple 165-3 (40 overs: Wood 68no, Hall 42).
RESULT: Marple (25 pts.) beat Bollington (5 pts.) by 7 wickets
At Butcher’s Stile:
DAVENHAM v MACCLESFIELD (won toss)
Davenham 212-5 (50 overs: Hunt 79no, Gough 54, Tudor 3-34);
Macclesfield 163-9 (50 overs: Tudor 66, Hodgson 35, Gough 3-22, Hancock 3-47)
RESULT: Drawn: Davenham 15 pts., Macclesfield 5 pts.
A Townfield Lane:
OXTON v OULTON PARK (won toss)
Oxton 228-7 (50 overs: Williams 94, Gibson 64, Parkinson 3-50);
Oulton Park 150-3 (50 overs: Leech 51no, East 37).
RESULT: Drawn: Oxton 12 pts., Oulton Park 6 pts.
At Dane Road
SALE (won toss) v WARRINGTON
Warrington 201-7 (50 overs: McIntosh 77, Rudd 47, Agar 39, McFarlane 3-35, Adams 3-39);
Sale 203-8 (49.5 overs: McFarlane 85, Barrowman 31, McIntosh 3-37, Sani 3-38).
RESULT: Sale (25 pts.) beat Warrington (11 pts.) by 2 wickets
At Old Greasby Road:
UPTON v WEAVERHAM (won toss)
Weaverham 146 (40 overs: McMillan 62, Battersby 4-15, Cross 3-41);
Upton 147-4 (40 overs: Ingram 58no, McArthur 36).
RESULT: Upton (25 pts.) beat Weaverham (5 pts.) by 6 wickets.
At Moorside Road:
URMSTON v WIDNES (won toss)
Urmston 261-4 dec. (48 overs: Panda 122, Jackson 36, Watson 35, Howie 30no;
Widnes 267-3 (48 overs: Fourie 124, Ughradar 64, S. Moore 40no).
RESULT: Widnes (25 pts.) beat Urmston (9 pts.) by 7 wickets.
Best of Day ……….
BATTING: o Marcus Fourie (Widnes) 124 v Urmston.
BOWLING: Richard Battersby (Upton) 4-15 v Weaverham.
ALL-ROUNDER: Paul Wood (Marple) 68no and 3-31 v Bollington
MAY 6 NEWSLETTER: p5
Division 2
At Hillside Road:
BREDBURY ST. MARK’S v ROMILEY (won toss)
Bredbury 97 (43 overs: Garner 4-25, Hooton 3-22);
Romiley 102-2 (24 overs):
RESULT: Romiley (25 pts.) beat Bredbury (0 pts) by 8 wickets
At Brooklands Sports Club:
BROOKLANDS v ALVANLEY (won toss)
Alvanley 117 (39 overs: Charles 40, Mitchell 4-37, A.J. Hart 3-40);
Brooklands 118-6 (37 overs: A.J. Hart 33 no, C Hart 32, Rowlands 3-18);
RESULT: Brooklands (25 pts.) beat Alvanley (4 pts.) by 4 wickets
At Little Heath:
CHRISTLETON (won toss) v BARROW
Barrow 248-5 (50 overs: De Silva 121no, Reid 44, Nissanka 34, Saif 4-74);
Christleton 128 (38 overs: Joseph 32no, De Silva 6-20).
RESULT: Barrow (25 pts.) beat Christleton (3 pts.) by 120 runs
At Upcast Lane:
LINDOW v TATTENHALL (won toss):
Tattenhall 218-5 (50 overs: Windell 74, Reeves 55, Sadler 34);
Lindow 222-9 (49.4 overs: O’Brien 67, Parfett 67, Styan 3-54, Brock 3-56).
RESULT: Lindow (25 pts.) beat Tattenhall (12 pts.) bv 1 wicket
At Moss Farm:
NORTHWICH v CHEADLE HULME (won toss):
Northwich 246-6 (50 overs: Wathukarage 59, M. Dufty 58, Evans 50no, Walker 33, Strydom 3-64).
Cheadle Hulme 203-9 (50 overs: Whitehouse 65, Abassi 39, Plant 3-26, A Dufty 3-82).
RESULT: Drawn: Northwich 15 pts., Cheadle Hulme 7 pts.
At Cale Green:
STOCKPORT v MOBBERLEY (won toss)
Stockport 198-9 (50 overs: Facer 36, D Barber 30, Syed 3-40);
Mobberley 200-4 (45 overs: Butters 55, Goldstadt 43no, Morris 37.).
RESULT: Mobberley (25 pts.) beat Stockport (7 pts.) by 6 wickets.
Best of Day ……….
BATTING: Iroshan De Silva (Barrow) 121no v Christleton
BOWLING: Tom Mitchell (Brooklands 4-37 v Alvanley
ALL-ROUNDER: Iro De Silva (Barrow) 121no and 6-20 v Christleton.
About those early starts …..
LEAGUE secretary Geoff Wellsteed issues the following reminder to all clubs:
“Following the 2017 AGM vote, match starting times can be brought forward by up to one hour. A number of clubs have taken advantage of this arrangement, but there have been a couple of ‘near miss’ issues in the opening weeks.
It is important that all parties are made aware of revised starting times. Dialogue between clubs should be finalised two weeks in advance of the scheduled fixture. 1st XI Competition secretary Ian Sharrock (for 1st XI games only), must be advised and he will then notify Umpires Appointments secretary Geoff Young and Newsletter Editor Mike Talbot-Butler. Please ensure this arrangement is adhered to and all timescales met.”
MAY 6 NEWSLETTER: p6
TABLES TO SATURDAY, MAY 6
…. all played 3 games
ECB Premier League
WTWDRDLDA/CLBatBowlPts.(25) (16) (3) (2) (1) (7)
ALDERLEY E.30000000075
TIMPERLEY30000000075
TOFT20100008364
CHESTER BH20000016157
CHEADLE11000010445
BOWDON 10000028639
NANTWICH 10100018743
GRAPP’HALL10000027436
NESTON10 001015536
HYDE01000028630
BRAMHALL000010261017
DIDSBURY00000033811
Division 1WWDRDLDA/CLBatBowlPts.
MARPLE2000018159
OULTON PARK2001002356
WIDNES2001003256
BOLLINGTON2000014155
DAVENHAM12000016653
OXTON11000114345
WARRINGTON10000212542
MACCLESFIELD10010110440
UPTON1000029640
SALE1000020429
URMSTON01000222328
WEAVERHAM0001028615
Division 2WWDRDLDA/CLBatBowlPts.
BARROW2001004459
LINDOW2000016258
STOCKPORT2000016157
BROOKLANDS2000013457
MOBBERLEY2000014155
ROMILEY2000010454
ALVANLEY2000012254
TATTENHALL 10010111744
NORTHWICH02000120935
CHEADLE HULME00010212619
BREDBURY ST. MK.0100029518
CHRISTLETON00000313316
MAY 6 NEWSLETTER: p7
Saturday, May 13: League fixtures/umpires
ECB Premier League (12.30 p.m. unless stated)
BOWDON V TIMPERLEY (11.30 a.m.)Darrin Clark & Dion Kelly
BRAMHALL V CHESTER BO. HALLDavid Gane & Ged Kinsey
DIDSBURY V CHEADLEMartin Roberts & David Tate
GRAPPENHALL V TOFTAlistair Davies & Chris Rigg
NANTWICH V ALDERLEY EDGETrevor Burnett & Ian Greensmith
NESTON V HYDEBrian Boys & Gary Zimmer
First Division (1 p.m. unless stated))
MACCLESFIELD V URMSTONGraham Cookson & Martin Howe
MARPLE V SALEPeter Davies & Keith Tysall
OULTON PARK V WARRINGTONJohn Potts & Geoff Young
WARRINGTON V DAVENHAM (12 noon)Ray Prescott & Shiva Venkat
WEAVERHAM V OXTONJon Hacking & Simon Smith
WIDNES V UPTON (12 noon)Graham Harris & Phil Prince
Second Division (all 1 p.m.)
ALVANLEY V STOCKPORTMatthew Nord & Graham Pugh
BARROW V BROOKLANDSIan Brown (tel. 01625 523 471) & Barrie Burns
CHEADLE HULME V BREDBURY ST. MK.Steve Kirkbright & Jason Pawluk
MOBBERLEY V NORTHWICHGraham Church & Ankit Jain
ROMILEY V LINDOWJames Emmerson & John Lowe
TATTENHALL V CHRISTLETONKen Rothwell & David Williams
Ground reports from Saturday, April 30
UMPIRES’ Pitch and Ground mark reports for matches played on Saturday, April 30 were as follows (maximum 20):
ECBPremier League:
Alderley Edge v Didsbury: pitch 16; outfield 19
Bowdon v Nantwich: 16 – 18
Bramhall v Timperley: 15 – 19
Grappenhall v Chester: 18 – 20
Hyde v Toft: 17 – 19
Neston v Cheadle: 18 - 20
Division 1:
Bollington v Oxton: pitch 15; outfield 15
Macclesfield v Sale: 16 - 18
Marple v Warrington: 16 – 17 (played at Warrington)
Oulton Park v Upton: 18 – 17
Weaverham v Urmston; 19 - 19
Widnes v Davenham: 18 - 19
Division 2:
Alvanley v Mobberley: pitch 18; outfield 17
Barrow v Lindow: 19 – 19
Brooklands v Christleton; 17 – 17
Cheadle Hulme v Stockport: 18 - 16
Romiley v Northwich: 15 – 15 (first home game in League)
Tattenhall v Bredbury St. Mark’s: 18 – 20.
MAY 6 NEWSLETTER: p8
Cheshire scrape home at Newport
CHESHIRE scraped home by one wicket with one delivery left to record their second successive Unicorns Knock-out group victory at Newport on Sunday, against Wales.
Cheshire have won both their opening games and now face Herefordshire at Alderley Edge next Sunday before visiting current group leaders Staffordshire at Knypersley on May 21 (both games start at 11 a.m.).
Wales were restricted to a modest 200-9 from their 50 overs, Danny Woods (York) taking 2-25 from his 10 overs and the county’s new professional all-rounder Wayne White (Leek) 2-45
Cheshire started well in reply with Will Evans (Neston) scoring 63 and Alderley Edge’s Calum Rowe 23. Wickets then tumbled, chiefly to Steve Pearce who finished with 5-35.
Ultimately it was left to the last pair, White (60) and Danny Woods (7) to see their side over the line with a key partnership of 11 runs, closing at 201-9 from 49.5 overs.
DIXON, JONES STAR IN CHESTER FRIENDLY
A STIRLING innings of 76 (six fours and four sixes) by skipper Lee Dixon helped Cheshire make a game of it in their 50 overs friendly against a strong Lancashire 2nd XI at Boughton Hall on Wednesday last week. They eventually lost by 62 runs.
Man of the match, however, was Toft’s Rob Jones with a brilliant knock of 119 which helped the Red Rose men reach 278. This followed an early collapse to 52-4 with Karl Brown, Urmston’s Calum Turner (for a duck) and England possible Liam Livingstone among the casualties. New Cheshire professional Wayne White took 3-45.
Apart from Dixon and Warren Goodwin (43), none of the Cheshire batsmen impressed in a response of 216 against John Bohannen, 3-29 and ex-England Test spinner Simon Kerrigan, 2-30.
O Lancashire meet Durham at Bowdon on Tuesday, May 16 in the 2nd XI Trophy . On Monday, May 22, Lancashire take on Worcestershire at Neston in the same competition (both 50 overs games starting at 11 a.m.).
Joseph Holt T20 opening group games & umpires for Wednesday / Thursday, May 10 / 11 (6 p.m.)
GROUP games in the Joseph Holt T20 tournament begin on Wednesday, May 10 (6 p.m.) and continue each week, mainly on Thursdays, until June 15.
Results should be reported in the normal way via the play-cricket.com website.
All queries should be directed to Competition secretary Geoff Wellsteed, who reminds clubs of the new ruling which allows games unplayed due to rain to be mutually re-arranged within six days. If that is not achievable, both teams will receive one point.
THIS WEEK’S GAMES
GROUP 1: Thursday, May 11
OXTON v NESTONDarrin Clark & David Williams
GROUP 2: Wednesday, May 10
WIDNES v WARRINGTONDion Kelly & Jason Pawluk
GROUP 5: Thursday, May 11
NORTHWICH v WEAVERHAMGraham Pugh & Ken Rothwell
GROUP 6: Thursday, May 11
NANTWICH v OULTON PARKShiva Venkat & Garry Zimmer
GROUP 8: both Thursday, May 11
DIDSBURY v BROOKLANDSAlistair Davies & Simon Smith
URMSTON v SALEDavid Tate & Steve Walton
MAY 6 NEWSLETTER: p9
Vikings beat Over 40s new boys
NEWCOMERS Whalley Rangers made a losing start to their first Over 40s League campaign at Bowdon Vale Vikings on Wednesday last week, going down by six runs in the North-East Division.
Reigning champions Neston scored full points in a tight West Division derby match at Oxton.
Mobberley (Central) and Woodley (South-East) conceded games at Warrington and Macclesfield respectively.
Tightest finish was in the West Zone game at The Flacca where Tattenhall Wreckers beat Weaverham by five wickets off the last ball, thanks largely to all-rounder Mel Dobson with 3-23 and 21 not out.
Pink balls were used in all games and will be in action again this week. Captains report that they helped to provide extra visibility in the gloaming.
Home clubs are urged to use the website as the favoured method of reporting results – full details if possible, please. Alternatively e-mail to . Fines will be imposed on home clubs not posting results within 48 hours.