Author name: Ian Roberts

Another mixed bag of results for the seniors over the weekend, with the 1s and three losing but the 2s posting a huge win. The 1s difficult season continued as they came up short at Cheadle Hulme. The top order batters all got starts but no-one was able to go on to build a match-defining score. Our total of 166 was always going to be a bit below par, and with Cheadle Hulme’s experienced skipper, Adam Wilde, taking control, the hosts got the runs with 9 balls to spare. The loss leaves us at the foot of the table with two massive games in the coming weeks against relegation rivals. The 2s brightened the mood with a demolition of Stockport at The Beets. Sam Thozer led from the front with the bat, hitting 85, with Finn Coburn providing fine support with a 40, as we posted 197. In reply Stockport wilted under our bowling attack as Rafay Qazi and Jo Middleton reduced our guests to 30-5 before handing over to young guns Zach Roberts (2-9) and Max Lilley (3-6) who blew away the tail, leaving Stockport all out for just 56. The 3s lost a close contest at Cheadle in a game where our younger players once again did the club proud against a largely adult team. Cheadle’s score of 175 -9 saw Finn Coburn follow up his batting exploits of the previous day with a 6 wicket haul off his 10 overs. Not content with that, Finn then hit a fine 50 as we remained on track until Fin’s unfortunate run out knocked the Ashton innings off course. Despite some spirited lower order batting, we were unlucky to fall just 15 short in a rather feisty innings marred by some rather unedifying sledging of our junior umpires. Another day which showed that our development plans are producing results – not least in Joe Barlow’s rapidly developing wicket keeping skills and well crafted 40 opening the batting. (Thanks to Alan Jenkinson for this week’s photos )

Having struggled to post competitive totals for much of the season, the 1st XI seemed to have had their third Weetabix before welcoming Oulton Park to The Beets on Saturday. Haris Yassin led the way with his maiden ton for the club in only his second game. With a quickfire 50 from James Lines and rapid scoring from the rest of the line up, we posted a magnificent 339 -9 off our 50 overs. This was a fine effort, particularly that we were missing players due to last week’s injury nightmare at Romiley. In reply Oulton Park did well to get closer than expected, falling just short of the 300 mark themselves. 600+ runs and 19 wickets on the day is great credit to the track prepared by our excellent groundsman. The 1s remain at the foot of the table but we now have the other clubs in our sights. The 2s had less luck with the track at Cheadle Hulme, being bowled out for 104. The hosts also struggled, losing 5 wickets in the run chase. Having players called up the 1st team because of injuries clearly impacted on our team, but it was great to see our younger players once again being given the opportunity to experience cricket at the sharp end. Praise too for former 1st team skipper, former Club Chairman and current Junior Chair, Mark Timms, who found his whites and reminded us of what a fine player and top clubman he is. The 3s lost a low scorer at The Beets on Sunday, going down to Bramhall on a rain interrupted day. Runs from Finn Coburn and Steve Abel could only get us to a total of just over a hundred but we looked in the game as Zach Roberts and Adam Heap knocked the top off the visitors’ batting, leaving them at 32-5. But rain and some help from messrs Duckworth and Lewis got our guests over the line in the 19th over. The development of our younger players continues and the future of the club looks bright.