Cheshire County League

2017 SEASON: NEWSLETTER NO. 14 – JULY 22

Dixon and Owen lift CBH to Premier League top spot WITH an impressive seven victory at Didsbury, Chester Boughton Hall leap-frogged Alderley Edge to take an eight points lead in the ECB Premier League, with eight games remaining. Chester recorded their sixth successive victory after dismissing their hosts for 154, Sam Leech 52, Andy Day 41, Will Owen a splendid 6-86. They replied with 157-3, Lee Dixon continuing the fine form which brought him scores of 67 and 118 captaining Cheshire against Wales in mid-week, with an unbeaten 108 off 88 balls, including 13 fours and four sixes. Rick Moore, 28 helped Dixon add 108 for the third Deposed Alderley were held to a losing draw at improving Bramhall, who batted well to post 253 from 51 overs. Top scorers were Ifti Naseer 70, Matt Higginbottom 50 and Dan Lamb 45, with Hamish Winter-Irving claiming 4-62. Alderley were left with 59 overs to reply, but fell short at 191-9, Richard Wilkinson following up his 3-45 return before tea with s fine knock of 74. In the end it took last pair Andy Windle and Alan Condliffe to hold out, Higginbottom claiming 3-21. Bramhall pocketed 15 points to rise to eighth place. There were eight points for ‘Edge. 593 runs at Grappenhall Nearer the bottom of the table, Grappenhall beat Cheadle by two wickets with five balls left in a magnificent match at Broad Lane which realised 593 runs, the season’s highest aggregate. Cheadle posted 296-8, Greg Dixon 74, Will Holmes 48, Dan Brown 37. To which Grappers responded with 297-8, led by Owen Lynch with a match-winning 72 not out, Luke McCoy 65, Gaz Burns and Peter Barnes both 34 and Arthur Pennington 32, while Rashid Amin wheeled away to claim 3-91. Bowdon and Hyde, two clubs not normally involved in a relegation battle, drew a 100 overs game at South Downs Road, Hyde ending up 13 – 5 points ahead. Hyde totalled 189-8, George Balderson 55, Tom Partridge 51, Lewis Reeves 32, Dominic Ball 3-68. Bowdon went on to reach 133-9, Jack Tipton 45, Simon Marshall 30, Jason Whittaker 4-34. Rain was also the spoiler in third-placed Toft’s visit to Neston. The league’s T20 champions posted a modest 145, Will Evans smiting 50 from 51 balls and Jimmy Lomas taking 4-49. Toft got to 50-1 from 14 overs when the wet weather arrived, Henry Hughes 29 not out. The same situation spoiled Timperley’s return to their temporary home - The King’s School at Chester - to host Nantwich in a key game for both clubs’ outside title hopes. In perfect conditions with a magnificent background, the Dabbers ran up 216, the highlight being a 135-run stand for the fourth wicket between Irish international Liam O’Brien, 75 and Luke Robinson, 68, Jack White taking 4-30 and Rudolf Brenner 4-68. Timpers were going well at 55-0 in the 12th over (Grant Hodnett 32 not out) when a storm arrived from the Welsh hills and with no mopping up equipment available the game was called off. Minutes earlier, O’Brien injured a shoulder dropping a catch off the bowling of Jimmy Warrington and had to leave the field. Not a good augury for the Dabbers as they try to challenge the leading trio. JULY 22 NEWSLETTER: p2

Davenham crash in Division One WITH second-placed Davenham bowled out for 105 at Macclesfield, Oulton Park took the opportunity to steam 43 points clear at the top of the First Division. A promotion place is clearly beckoning for Pat Roberts’ consistent team. Davenham’s batting collapsed at Macc, only Sam Hunt (31) putting up much opposition against Chris Moores, 6-29 and Craig Melrose, 4-54. Moving up to fifth place, the Silkmen replied with 106-3, John Birchall 37. Oulton’s 10th victory was secured by seven wickets after routing mid-table Oxton for 61 at Pinfold Lane with fine bowling by Matt Parkinson, 4-24, Muhammed Kashif, 3-12 and Andy Hards 3-20. Dane Williams and Mahdi Quadri jointly top-scored with 21 in the Oxton innings which contained five ducks. Park replied with 66-3. Bollington ended a bad run with an 88 run victory at Marple who have been going so well lately. After Bolly had totalled 134, Rick Hough 35, Patrick Morahan 3-43, Marple were bundled out for 46 in 20 overs. Paul Wood scored 22, with nine other batsmen in single figures. The damage was done by Bolly’s rapid young Barbadian Dario Seale with remarkable figures of 9-1-21-8. Marple’s was the second lowest team score in the league this season, just above Sale’s 41 v Upton on June 3. Widnes’ promotion bid weakened with a 28-run defeat at home to Urmston, who batted first to post 189-7, Chris Turner 63 not out, Dan Moore 3-45. The consistent Marcus Fourie hit 63 for Widnes, but found little support in a closing tally of 161, Chris Barlow 4-38, Ian Grindley 3-51. Sale had much the better of a drawn game at Warrington after being put in to score 219-6, Lancashire starlet Brooke Guest 70, Greg Gyves 63, Johan Els 3-43. Relegation-threatened Warrington’s last pair held out at 113-9, Mike Rudd 38, Richard Heaney 31, Alisdair Barrowman 4-39, Mal Clarke 3-25. At the foot of the table, there was no joy again for Weaverham, for whom The Drop seems imminent. They mustered just 93 at the hands of Upton (Alan Nash 33, Liam Sundve 6-31). This was in reply to the Wirralians’ 209-8 … Chris McArthur 60, Matt Owen 51, Neil Cross 43 not out, with Rob McMillan taking an impressive 5-57.

Barrow beaten again in Division Two PREVIOUSLY unbeaten in the Second Division Barrow lost their second game in succession, this time by 46 runs at the hands of local rivals Christleton. But they retain top spot. In reply to Christleton’s 137 (Matt Astbury 73 not out, Malcolm Barrow 3-39), Barrow were routed for 91, Iro De Silva 31. Their destroyers were Joshua Joseph with 5-17 and Shavaiz Saif, 4- 26. Lindow lie 19 points behind in second place after winning by five wickets at Tattenhall. The South-Cheshire club did their hopes of survival no good with a poor batting display - all out for 67 with no answer to fine bowling by Alex Matthews, who took 7-33 and Tim Young, 3-29. Lindow replied with 68-5, Andy Styan 4-30. Hitherto struggling, Bredbury St. Mark’s recorded their second successive victory to raise hopes of survival, by 108 runs at high-riding Romiley too. St. Mark’s batted first to post a handsome 220-7, Major Khan 72, Will Mairs 39. Romiley were then bowled out cheaply for 112. Alvanley’s rise continues with a three wickets home win against Brookland, whom they dismissed for 147, A.J. Hart 41, Billy Ouzounidis 4-41. Top scorers in Alvanley’s response of 147-8 were Mike Rowlands, 41 and Si Gee 31, R. Singh 4-34. Stockport stay on the promotion fringe after winning by 43 runs at Mobberley, running up 177 (Ayden Van Eeden 38, Vik Patel 34 not out, Rob Barber 30, Nick Butters 5-48). Mobberley mustered only 134 after tea, Mark Goodstadt 46, Mark Green 3-21, Kyle Gavin 3-34. Northwich recorded an impressive 147 runs victory at Cheadle Hulme, whose Glory Days are well and truly over. The Grove Park club once won the coveted First Division title six times in eight seasons from 1978 – 84. In this match, in-form Sri Lankan batsman Chandra Wathukarage scored 74 and Matthew Dufty 50 in Northwich’s 219-9, Tom Balderson 3-57, Alex Read 3-65. ‘Hulme were bowled out for 72 in just 16 overs, James Gittings taking 5-41 and James Plant 3-20. JULY 22 NEWSLETTER: p3

SATURDAY, JULY 22 MATCH DETAILS

ECB Premier League

At South Downs Road: BOWDON v HYDE (won toss) Hyde 189-8 (50 overs: Balderson 55, Partridge 51, Reeves 32, Ball 3-68); Bowdon 133-9 (50 overs; Tipton 45, Marshall 30, Whittaker 4-34). Match drawn: Hyde 13 pts., Bowdon 5 pts. This was a 100 overs game.

At Church Lane: BRAMHALL v ALDERLEY EDGE (won toss) Bramhall 253 (51 overs: Naseer 70, Higginbottom 50, Lamb 45, Winter-Irving 4-62,Wilkinson 3- 45). Alderley Edge 191-9 (59 overs: Wilkinson 74, Perry 30, Higginbottom 3-21). Match drawn: Bramhall 15 pts., Alderley Edge 8 pts.

At Wilmslow Road DIDSBURY v CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL (won toss): Didsbury 154 (37 overs: Leech 52, Day 41, Owen 6-86); Chester 157-3 (35 overs: L Dixon 108no, Moore 28 = 3rd wicket stand of 108). Chester (25 pts.) beat Didsbury (3 pts.) by 7 wickets

At Broad Lane: GRAPPENHALL (won toss) v CHEADLE Cheadle 296-8 (55 overs: Dixon 74, Holmes 48, Brown 37, Povey 34); Grappenhall 297-8 (54.1 overs: Lynch 72no, L. McCoy 65, Barnes 34, Burns 34, Arthur Pennington 32, Rashid Amin 3-91). Grappenhall (25 pts.) beat Cheadle (11 pts.) by 2 wickets.

At Parkgate: NESTON v TOFT (won toss) Neston 145 (40 overs: Evans 50, Lomas 5-49); Toft 50-1 (14 overs: Hughes 29no). Match abandoned: Neston 9 pts., Toft 7 pts.

At The King’s School, Chester TIMPERLEY (won toss) v NANTWICH Nantwich 216 (52 overs: O’Brien 75, Robinson 68 =135 for 4th wicket, White 4-30, Brenner 4-68); Timperley 55-0 (11.2 overs: Hodnett 32no). Timperley had no scorer. Match abandoned: Nantwich 8 pts., Timperley 7 pts.

PICK of DAY BATTING: Lee Dixon (Chester) 108no v Didsbury BOWLING: Will Owen (Chester) 6-86 v Didsbury.

JULY 22 NEWSLETTER: p4

Division 1

At Victoria Road : MACCLESFIELD (won toss) v DAVENHAM Davenham 105 (28 overs: Hunt 31, Moores 6-29, Melrose 4-54); Macclesfield 106-3 (21 overs: Bichall 37, Porter 34). Macclesfield (25 pts.) beat Davenham (1 pt.) by 7 wickets.

At Bowden Lane: MARPLE (won toss) v BOLLINGTON Bollington 134 (32 overs: Hough 35, Morahan 3-43); Marple 46 (20 overs: Wood 22, Seale 9-1-21-8, Ward 2-22). Bollington (25 pts.) beat Marple (4 pts.) by 88 runs.

At Pinfold Lane: OULTON PARK (won toss) v OXTON Oxton 61 (28 overs: Parkinson 4-24, Muhammed Kashif 3-12, Hards 3-20); Oulton Park 66-3 (15 overs). Oulton Park (25 pts.) beat Oxton (1 pt.) by 7 wickets.

At Warrington Sports Club WARRINGTON (won toss) v SALE Sale 219-6 (50 overs: Guest 70, Gyves 63, Els 3-43); Warrington 113-9 (50 overs: Rudd 38, Heaney 31, Barrowman 4-39, Clarke 3-25). Match drawn: Sale 15 pts., Warrington 4 pts.

At Wallerscote Road: WEAVERHAM (won toss) v UPTON Upton 209-8 (50 overs: McArthur 60, Owen 51, Cross 43no, McMillan 5-57); Weaverham 93 (42 overs: Nash 33, Sundve 6-31). Upton (25 pts.) beat Weaverham (3 pts.) by 116 runs

At Beaconsfield Road: WIDNES (won toss) v URMSTON Urmston 189-7 (50 overs: Chris Turner 63no, Calum Turner 32, Moore 3-45); Widnes 161 (46 overs: Fourie 63, Barlow 4-38, I. Grindley 3-51). Urmston (25 pts.) beat Widnes (5 pts.) by 28 runs

PICK OF DAY BATTING: Brooke Guest (Sale) 70 v Warrington BOWLING: oDario Seale (Bollington) 8-21 v Marple

JULY 22 NEWSLETTER: p5

Division 2

At Frodsham Road: ALVANLEY (won toss) v BROOKLANDS Brooklands 147 (50 overs: A.J. Hart 41, Ouzounidis 4-41); Alvanley 148-7 (47 overs: Rowlands 41, Gee 31, Singh 4-34). Alvanley (25 pts.) beat Brooklands (7 pts.) by 3 wickets

At The Croft: BARROW v CHRISTLETON (won toss) Christleton 137 (49 overs: Astbury 73, Barrow 3-39); Barrow 91 (38 overs: De Silva 32, Joseph 5-17, Shavaiz Saif 4-26). Christleton (25 pts.) beat Barrow (4 pts.) by 46 runs

At Grove Park: CHEADLE HULME (won toss) v NORTHWICH Northwich 219-9 (50 overs: Chandrika Wathukarage 74, M. Dufty 50, Read 3-45, Balderson 3-57); Cheadle Hulme 72 (16 overs: Robinson 22, Gittings 5-41, Plant 3-20). Northwich (25 pts.) beat Cheadle Hulme (4 pts.) by 147 runs

At Church Lane: MOBBERLEY (won toss) v STOCKPORT Stockport 177 (50 overs: Van Eeden 38, Patel 34no, R. Barber 30, Butters 5-48, Mountney 3-44); Mobberley 134 (38 overs: Goodstadt 46, Green 3-17, Gavin 3-34). Stockport (25 pts.) beat Mobberley (5 pts.) by 33 runs

At Birchvale Drive ROMILEY (won toss) v BREDBURY ST. MARK’S Bredbury 220-7 (50 overs: Major Khan 72, Mairs 39); Romiley 112 (43 overs): Bredbury (25 pts.) beat Romiley (4 pts.) by 108 runs

At The Flacca: TATTENHALL (won toss) v LINDOW Tattenhall 67 (30 overs: Matthews 7-33, Young 3-29); Lindow 68-5 (31 overs: Styan 4-30). Lindow (25 pts.) beat Tattenhall (2 pts.) by 5 wickets.

PICK OF DAY BATTING: oChandrika Wathukarage (Northwich) 74 v Cheadle Hulme BOWLING: Alex Matthews (Lindow) 7-33 v Tattenhall

JULY 22 NEWSLETTER: p6

TABLES INC. SATURDAY, JULY 22: all played 14

ECB Premier League W T WD RD LD A/C L Bat Bowl Pts. (25) (16) (3) (2) (1) (7)

CHESTER BH 10 0 0 0 1 0 3 19 11 281 ALDERLEY E. 10 0 0 0 2 0 2 8 13 273 TOFT 8 0 1 0 0 2 3 9 10 236 NANTWICH 6 0 3 1 0 1 3 39 19 226 TIMPERLEY 6 0 2 0 1 2 3 322 16 219 NESTON 4 2 1 1 2 1 3 20 17 186 DIDSBURY 4 0 1 1 1 0 7 39 25 170 *BRAMHALL 3 0 1 0 3 1 6 41 30 166 CHEADLE 3 2 0 0 0 0 9 33 24 164 HYDE 2 1 3 1 0 1 6 48 25 157 GRAPP’HALL 4 0 1 0 1 2 6 21 22 156 BOWDON 2 0 0 0 1 0 11 24 32 107 * Bramhall record includes 7 pts. for defeat in a match of less than 80 overs duration.

Division 1 W WD RD LD A/C L Bat Bowl Pts.

OULTON PARK 10 1 0 1 0 2 11 14 279 DAVENHAM 7 3 0 0 1 3 30 15 236 BOLLINGTON 7 1 0 1 0 5 25 17 228 MARPLE 5 4 0 2 1 2 45 26 217 WIDNES 6 2 0 3 0 3 31 24 214 MACCLESFIELD 5 2 1 2 0 4 51 23 210 *OXTON 6 1 0 1 1 5 19 9 196 URMSTON 5 2 0 1 1 5 38 19 196 * UPTON 6 0 0 1 1 6 20 10 194 SALE 3 1 0 3 1 6 35 21 139 *WARRINGTON 2 0 0 2 0 10 47 21 126 * WEAVERHAM 1 0 0 1 0 12 29 23 78 * Oxton, Upton ,Warrington & Weaverham records include 7 pts. for matches of less than 80 overs duration

Division 2 W T WD RD LD A/C L Bat Bowl Pts.

BARROW 9 0 1 0 1 1 2 16 11 263 LINDOW 8 0 1 0 2 1 2 16 16 244 *ALVANLEY 7 0 3 1 1 0 2 30 18 241 *ROMILEY 6 1 2 1 0 0 4 31 19 231 STOCKPORT 7 0 0 0 1 0 6 29 12 217 BR’LANDS 6 0 2 0 2 1 3 30 21 217 CHRIST’TON 6 0 1 0 1 0 6 26 18 198 *NORT’WICH 4 0 4 0 1 1 4 45 23 190 MOBBERLEY 4 0 1 0 1 0 8 37 25 165 *CHEADLE H. 3 0 0 0 2 1 8 23 23 137 BREDBURY 2 0 1 1 0 0 10 39 25 119 TATTENHALL 2 0 0 0 3 0 9 25 37 115 * Alvanley, Cheadle Hulme, Northwich and Romiley records include 7 pts. from matches of less than 80 overs duration JULY 22 NEWSLETTER: p7

Saturday, July 29 …..fixtures & umpires

ECB Premier League (all 12.30 p.m.) ALDERLEY EDGE V NANTWICH Brian Boys & Alistair Davies CHEADLE V DIDSBURY Ged Kinsey & Paul Herring CHESTER BO. HALL V BRAMHALL Trevor Burnett & Simon Smith HYDE V NESTON Graham Pugh & David Tate TIMPERLEY V BOWDON (at The King’s School, Chester) Ankit Jain & Martin Howe TOFT V GRAPPENHALL David Gane & Chris Rigg

First Division (1 p.m. unless stated) BOLLINGTON V OULTON PARK Ron Bedson & Ian Wilson DAVEHAM V WARRINGTON (12 noon) Garry Hambleton & Dion Kelly OXTON V WEAVERHAM Ian Baker & Jon Hacking SALE V MARPLE Jason Pawluk & Gary Zimmer UPTON V WIDNES Graham Cookson & Ian Greensmith URMSTON V MACCLESFIELD Barrie Burns & James Emmerson

Second Division (all 1 p.m.) BREDBURY ST. MK’S V CHEADLE HULME Duncan Anderson (07775 632 507) & David Moss BROOKLANDS V BARROW Graham Church & John Lowe CHRISTLETON V TATTENHALL John Sharples (07525 215 494) & Martin Roberts LINDOW V ROMILEY Matthew Nord (07855 961 631) & Nigel Simms NORTHWICH V MOBBERLEY Darrin Clark & Keith Tysall STOCKPORT V ALVANLEY Peter Davies & John Williams

Pitch and outfield marks for July 15 PITCH and outfield marks reported by panel umpires for games played on Saturday, July 15 (maximum 20 in each category) were as follows: ECB Premier League: Cheadle v Neston pitch 15; outfield 16 Chester v Grappenhall 18 - 20 Didsbury v Alderley Edge 17 - 20 Nantwich v Bowdon 18 - 20 Timperley v Bramhall 18 - 19 (at King’s School, Chester) Toft v Hyde 17 - 17 Division l: Davenham v Widnes pitch 17; outfield 18 Oxton v Bollington 16 - 20 Sale v Macclesfield 18 - 18 Upton v Oulton Park 16 - 17 Urmston v Weaverham 16 - 19 Warrington v Marple 16 - 18 Division 2: Bredbury v Tattenhall pitch 16; outfield 18 Christleton v Brooklands 18 - 20 Lindow v Barrow 13 - 17 Mobberley v Alvanley 16 - 19 Northwich v Romiley 19 -18 Stockport v Cheadle Hulme 14 – 20

Marked below standard were the umpires’ dressing-rooms at Warrington, Stockport and Bredbury. JULY 22 NEWSLETTER: p8

OVER 40s SECTION Timperley docked four points WITH only two weeks of fixtures remaining, all four groups are ‘up for grabs’ in the League’s Over Forties section. The situation in the Central Division has been complicated by the ineligibility of Timperley player Richard Blackburn, who inadvertantly played in one game before his 40th birthday and as a result, the club have had four points docked. Meantime, Grappenhall top the group with 40 points, four more than Toft and now six ahead of Timperley, the only team to force a result last Wednesday, beating Ashley by 38 runs in reduced overs game. Toft host Grappenhall in a key match this week. In the North-East Division, leaders Urmston Tigers have also reached 40 points, closely followed by Bowdon Vale Vikings on 36 with the remainder out of the running. Urmston beat Bowdon on run rate in an abandoned match last Wednesday, while Vale won at Sale. Bollington Veterans won at Offerton and are eight points clear at the top of the South East Division, with Alderley Edge Wizards and Macclesfield likely to be left fighting it out for the runners-up spot. Alderley Edge’s final game is at home to Macclesfield. The Big Two in the West Division, Chester Boughton Hall and reigning champions Neston are again battling for the top spot. Both are on 40 points after winning last Wednesday. Clubs in the running for play-off places should note that where they finish level on points, regulations set out on page 123 of the League handbook apply.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19 RESULTS Central Division DAVENHAM (2 pts.) v MOBBERLEY (2 pts.): match abandoned Davenham 215-2 (20 overs: Spalding 33, Jones 31, White 31, Freedman 30); Mobberley 29-2 (5 overs).

GRAPPENHALL (2 pts.) v WARRINGTON (2 pts.): match abandoned Grappenhall 127-6 (18 overs: Anderson 31); Warrington 13-1 (3 overs).

TIMPERLEY (4 pts.) beat ASHLEY by 38 runs Timperley 113-6 (18 overs: Nicholson 35, Alves 2-14, Zishan Ishan 2-18) Ashley 75-9 (18 overs: Taylor 4-16).

TOFT (2 pts.) v ASHTON on MERSEY VIKINGS (2 pts.): match abandoned Toft 172-4 (20 overs: S. Locke 33, Hope 32, Sheldon 28, Carter 2-35); Ashton on Mersey Vikings 11-4 (6 overs: Elwood 3-2).

North-East Division BOWDON lost to URMSTON TIGERS (4 pts.) on faster run rate Bowdon 118 (20 overs: run rate 5.90); Bowdon Vale 82-1 (13.3 overs: run rate 6.07)

CHEADLE (4 pts.) beat WHALLEY RANGERS by 6 wickets: Whalley Rangers 125 (20 overs: Davies 33, Manni 30, Jhanji 27, Watkin 2-18, Orton 2-25). Cheadle 128-4 (20 overs: Barber 34, Burgess 32, Manni 2-16).

CHEADLE HULME lost to BROOKLANDS (4 pts.) by 4 wickets Cheadle Hulme 105-6 (15 overs: Battyte 25); Brooklands 108-6 (15 overs)

SALE SILVERBACKS lost to BOWDON VALE VIKINGS (4 pts.) by 5 wickets Sale 116-7 (20 overs: Almond 30, Harrop 21, Rowey 21, Roberts 5-13, Nicholas 2-13); Bowdon Vale 117-5 (19.5 overs: Jordan 31, Jessop 26, Thorpe 24, Rowe 3-35) JULY 22 NEWSLETTER: p9 Over 40s results contd …

South-East Division

ALDERLEY EDGE WIZARDS (4 pts.) v BREDBURY SAINTS conceded

BRAMHALL (2 pts.) v WOODLEY (2 pts.): match cancelled

OFFERTON lost to BOLLINGTON VETERANS (4 pts.) by 50 runs: Bollington 101-7 (20 overs: Hayward 39, Jeffrey 3-22); Offerton 51 (17 overs: Hayward 3-8, Aldridge 4-2).

POYNTON LEGENDS lost to MACCLESFIELD (4 pts.) by 9 wickets: Poynton 74-8 (15 overs: Fletcher 29, Whittingham 2-9, Frame 2-10, Porter 2-15); Macclesfield 76-1 (9 overs: Porter 30, Farmer 20).

West Division

CALDY (4 pts.) beat UPTON by 11 runs: Caldy 111-2 (17 overs: C Findlay 30, Mellor 29, Brown 28); Upton 100-4 (17 overs: Warburton 30, Hughes 30, Pilley 3-5).

IRBY lost to TATTENHALL WRECKERS (4 pts.) by 26 runs: Tattenhall 135-3 (20 overs: Kettle 32, Hope 30); Irby 109-6 (20 overs: Barr 33, D. Newman 27);

NESTON (4 pts.) beat WEAVERHAM by 9 wickets: Weaverham 80 (15 overs): Neston 81-1 (10 overs).

OXTON lost to CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL BLAZERS (4 pt.) by 11 runs: Chester 142-8 (20 overs: Fisher 35, Ogilby 27, Price 2-26, Kumar 2-28); Oxton 131-6 (20 overs: Kinsey 31, Mitchell 28, Chapman 2-20, Gilson 2-21).

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26 FIXTURES (6.15 p.m.)

Central Division: Ashley v Davenham; Mobberley v Ashton on Mersey Vikings; Toft v Grappenhall; Timperley v Warrington

North-East Division: Bowdon Vale Vikings v Cheadle Hulme; Cheadle v Bowdon; Urmston Tigers v Sale Silverbacks; Whalley Rangers v Brooklands

South-East Division: Bredbury Saints v Bramhall; Macclesfield v Bollington Saints; Poynton Legends v Alderley Edge Wizards; Woodley v Offerton

West Division: Chester Boughton Hall Blazers v Irby (to be played on Tuesday by agreement); Tattenhall Wreckers v Caldy; Upton v Neston; Weaverham v Oxton. Final group fixtures are on Wednesday, August 2.

Play-offs: Over Forties quarter-final play-offs are on Wednesday, August 9 or by Sunday, August 20 at the latest. Draw: West winners v Central runners-up; Central winners v West runners-up; North East winners v South East runners up; South East winners v North-East runners-up. Finals Day is at Chester Boughton Hall on Sunday, September 3 starting at 12 noon. JULY 22 NEWSLETTER: p10

40s TABLES UP-DATED

Central Division P W T A/C L Pts. GRAPPENHALL 12 9 0 2 1 40 TOFT 12 8 0 2 2 36 *TIMPERLEY 12 9 0 1 2 34 DAVENHAM 12 6 0 2 4 28 WARRINGTON 12 5 0 2 5 24 MOBBERLEY 12 2 0 2 8 12 ASHLEY 12 1 1 2 8 11 ASHTON on MERSEY VIKINGS 12 0 1 2 9 7 * 2 pts. deducted for fielding ineligible player.

North-East Division P W T A/C L Pts. URMSTON TIGERS 12 9 0 2 1 40 BOWDON VALE VIKINGS 12 7 2 2 1 38 BROOKLANDS 12 6 1 1 4 29 CHEADLE HULME 12 5 1 2 4 27 SALE SILVERBACKS 12 5 0 2 5 24 CHEADLE 12 4 1 2 5 23 WHALLEY RANGERS 12 2 1 2 7 15 BOWDON 12 0 0 1 11 2

South-East Division P W T A/C L Pts. BOLLINGTON VETERANS 12 10 0 2 0 44 ALDERLEY EDGE WIZARDS 12 8 0 2 2 36 MACCLESFIELD 12 8 0 2 2 36 BREDBURY SAINTS 12 4 0 2 6 20 WOODLEY 12 2 0 4 6 16 BRAMHALL 12 2 0 3 7 14 OFFERTON 12 2 0 3 7 14 POYNTON LEGENDS 12 2 0 2 8 8

West Division P W T A/C L pts. CHESTER BO. HALL BLAZERS 12 9 0 2 1 40 NESTON 12 9 0 2 1 40 TATTENHALL WRECKERS 12 7 0 1 4 30 UPTON 12 6 0 2 4 28 CALDY 12 3 0 2 7 16 WEAVERHAM 12 3 0 2 7 16 OXTON 12 3 0 1 8 14 IRBY 12 1 0 2 9 8

New National cricket survey CHESHIRE Board Participation manger Gareth Moorhouse issues a reminder through Newsletter that the time of season has arrived for the ECB’s National Playing Survey. He says: “Any cricketer, or follower of the game with 10 minutes to spare, is invited to take part in this annual survey which is important in providing information and ideas about the game’s future shape. If you enter you have a chance to win £300 cash, a signed England cricket shirt and a cricket bat and provide much useful information and advice”. Entering the following website: https://ecb.tell-us-what-you-think.com/S3/haveyoursay6 …then follow the instructions JULY 22 NEWSLETTER: p11

Cheshire win 1,302 run-glut CHESHIRE narrowly beat Wales in a dramatic finish to their Unicorns county championship match against Wales at Alderley Edge ending on Tuesday last week in which all four innings topped 300 runs and the total scored was 1,305. Cheshire rise to second place in the West Division table, 21 points behind leaders Berkshire with two games to play. These are against Wiltshire at Devizes from July 30 – August 1 and Oxfordshire at Nantwich from August 13 – 15. At Alderley Edge, Wales put Cheshire in and they mustered 313 (skipper Lee Dixon 67), Wales going on to take a three-run lead with a reply of 316 (Wayne White 3-72). In their second knock Cheshire declared on 353-5, skipper Dixon hitting a splendid 118, aided by Alderley Edge’s Calum Rowe with 54 - which earned him his county cap – and teenage club colleague Ed Fluck, who compiled a fine 80 in a partnership with Dixon worth 124 for the fourth wicket. Set 350 to win Wales had a good go before losing their last batsman to a fine catch on the boundary by Wayne White at 323, losing by 27 just runs. White took 4-67 and Jack Williams 3- 115. Apart from Cheadle Hulme School pupil Fluck, Toft wicket-keeper Rob Sehmi and Bramhall fast bowler Chris Sanders all made impressive debuts

WEST DIVISION TABLE

P W D L Pts. 1. BERKSHIRE 4 3 1 0 81 2. CHESHIRE 4 2 1 1 60 3 OXFORDSHIRE 4 2 1 1 56 4 DEVON 4 2 1 1 55 5 SHROPSHIRE 4 1 3 0 49 6 CORNWALL 4 1 2 1 47 7 DORSET 4 1 1 2 43 8 WILTSHIRE 4 1 1 2 41 9.HEREFORDSHIRE 4 0 2 2 27 10.WALES 4 0 1 3 27

T20 Regional Finals line-up @ Neston LINE-UP in the ECB Regional T20 Finals at Parkgate, Neston, on Sunday, July 30 is: NESTON (Cheshire County League winners) v CLIFTON (Greater Manchester League); BRYMBO (North Wales Premier League) v LONGTON (North Staffs & South-Cheshire League) No decision has yet been made as to the starting times and the semi-finals may be played simultaneously at 11.30 a.m. on the club’s two fine pitches. What is decided will affect the final starting time. The winners will go on to play in the ECB Area Final on Sunday, August 13. Match Manager for the day on Sunday will be Neston secretary Daniel Wakefield. He advises would-be spectators wanting up-dated information to contact the club’s website www.nestoncc.com or their Twitter site: neston_cc

HYDE EXIT NATIONAL HYDE lost by two wickets to Bradford League leaders Hanging Heaton in the Royal London National ko at Werneth Low on Sunday. Scores: Hyde 214 (45 overs: James Duffy 72, Danny Berry 55); Hanging Heaton 217-8 (37.4 overs).

JULY 22 NEWSLETTER: p12

Abdul Aqeel and Albert Pennington Win Best Performance awards THE League Cricket Committee named the winners of two Joseph Holt-sponsored Performance of the Month awards at their July meeting at Warrington last Thursday. A delayed choice for the April / May award was Mobberley bowler Abdul Aqeeel who returned the remarkable analysis of 12.3 overs, 5 maidens, 21 runs and 9 wickets in the opening Second Division match of the season at home to Cheadle Hulme on April 22. Winner of the award for June was Grappenhall’s 18 year-old all-rounder Albert Pennington, for his performance in taking 6-68, then scoring a vital 56 in an ECB Premier League game at Nantwich on June 24, helping his side hold out for a draw. Both players will receive a framed certificate and a personal award. O The trial use of superior Reader cricket balls by Premier League clubs for two weeks in May was a success and the league will consider ordering a full season’s supply when they meet the company for talks regarding 2018. The ball costs £3 more than the standard type used in recent seasons. O The use of the main ground at Timperley for Premiership matches during the remainder of the season was considered very unlikely after a further inspection. All but 1st XI League games may be played on the club’s second pitch. O THE Joseph Holt 2nd XI T20 Finals Day is at Oulton Park on Sunday, August 6. Semi-final draw: Alderley Edge v Oulton Park; Chester Boughton Hall v Didsbury. Play to start at 10 a.m. O DRAW for the Joseph Holt 3rd XI T20 Finals Day at Warrington on Sunday, September 10 resulted: Nantwich v Stockport (main ground); Didsbury v Neston (top ground). Play to start at 11 a.m. approx. O OVER Forties’ Finals Day is at Chester on Sunday, September 3 (12 noon). The clubs taking part are not yet known Over bowling warning O WITH effect from games played on Saturday, July 29, clubs at any level found to have over- bowled players according to age group regulations will face a penalty of two points per over. O THE possibility of allowing clubs to turn out with players’ names on shirts in Saturday league matches in 2018 was considered. O WEBMASTER Darren Sutcliffe is to contact serial offenders for not recording match information according to rule O WITH many panel umpires not currently being paid expenses until after the close of play, the committee resolved that this must take place at the pre-match meeting with captains. Umpires should be handed the match cards and balls at the same time O GRAPPENHALL have been fined £40 for failing to prevent spectators making ‘out of order’ remarks to match umpires. O UMPIRE recruitment is going well and there have been approaches from umpires from outside the league for 2018. All 1st XI fixtures up to July 22 were covered by two umpires and at the end of July, the list will be oversubscribed by eight. These umpires will be offered the chance to stand in 2nd XI or UKFast 1st XI games. No new umpires’ courses will be organised until the New Year because many law changes are to be introduced from October. O GROUNDS chairman John Bygate reported that the standard of pitches and outfields remained outstanding. Up to and including July 8, Christleton topped the pitch table with an average mark of 18.50 (out of 20), with Cheadle bottom on 15. Outfields were even better with Neston leading the way on 19.86. Sale were bottom on 16.20 O THE grounds of several members of the UKFast Cheshire League in the running for promotion to the County League for the first time will be inspected within the next six weeks. JULY 22 NEWSLETTER: p13

Cheshire Cup semi-final draw DRAW for the semi-finals of the Cheshire Cup on Sunday, August 20 is: Chester Boughton Hall v New Brighton; Timperley v Neston or Hyde (holders). The final is on Sunday, September 3.

Sunday’s quarter-final results were: Didsbury 130 (Harry Killoran 4-22); Chester 135-3 (Rick Moore 67, Alex Money 55). Toft 170-9 (James Drummond 43); New Brighton 171-6 (Andy Clarke 103no) Bramhall 110; Timperley 112-0 (Grant Hodnett 60 not out). Neston v Hyde are playing on Sunday, August 6.

HOLDERS EXIT SHIELD NORTHWICH, the holders, lost at home to Ashton on Mersey in the semi-final of the Cheshire Shield on Sunday. Scores: Northwich 166 (Mark Walker 81); Ashton on Mersey 168-6. Romiley 214-6 (Tom Rolph 61); Brooklands 71 Romiley have won the toss to stage the final, provisionally on Sunday, August 20.

Disley lead UKFast Cheshire League SATURDAY’S RESULTS Disley 123-8 beat Congleton 122-8 Hale Barns 71-2 beat Port Sunlight 67 Haslington did not bat v Runcorn 226-7; match abandoned Lymm Oughtrington Park 147-8 beat Irby 144 Middlewich 131-6 drew with Barnton 78-5 Stockport Georgians 96 beat Ashton on Mersey 61 PLACINGS 1. Disley 249 points; 2. Runcorn 245; 3. Stockport Georgians 237; 4. Haslington 234; 5. Hale Barns 214; 6. Lymm 214; 7. Ashton on Mersey 191; 8. Port Sunlight 188; 9. Congleton 187; 10. Barnton 159; 11. Middlewich 144; 12. Irby 131. FIXTURES ON SATURDAY, JULY 29 (1.30 p.m.) Ashton on Mersey v Haslington Barnton v Hale Barns Congleton v Lymm Oughtrington Park Irby v Stockport Georgians Port Sunlight v Disley Runcorn v Middlewich

Umpire’s quiz: by Alistair Davies QUESTION 13: An injured striker has a runner. Having played a fair delivery, the injured striker sets off and makes good his ground at the bowler’s end, where he stays. Meanwhile, the runner and non-striker have completed three runs when the wicket at the striker’s end is fairly put down. What should the outcome be? ANSWER: The injured striker is run out when the wicket at the wicket-keeper’s end is put down. No runs are to count, regardless of how many have been completed by the non-striker and the runner. Law 38.4

QUESTION 14: A wide ball is called. The ball is deflected by the wicket-keeper onto the fielder’s helmet placed on the ground within the field of play. Meantime, the batsmen have attempted as run, but had not crossed when the ball hit the helmet. They subsequently complete the run. What should be the outcome? JULY 22 NEWSLETTER: p14

League’s Behaviour Initiative: ‘We must do better’, urges Secretary THE League have issued a mid-term report on the Behaviour Initiative they launched pre-season which called for better co operation from players, especially towards umpires. It suggests that not all is well, especially in games with no panel umpires on duty. A report by secretary Geoff Wellsteed sent to all clubs says that where a panel umpire is in attendance there seems to have been ‘steady progress’. The role of the captain has been crucial, although there remains too much orchestrated appealing and robust questioning of decisions. Captains need to intervene immediately an umpire’s decision is challenged, he asserts. Notwithstanding, there has been a steady increase in the number of disciplinary cases. The report continues: The same level of improvement cannot be reported in games without panel umpires. There have been unsavoury incidents in Sunday 3rd XI matches and in senior (Over 40s) and junior age group (Under 11-13-15) games. Incidents have not been restricted to the field of play and have also involved parents and supporters on the boundary. There have also been Facebook/Twitter comments criticising player-umpire and club-umpire decisions, which appear to go unchecked by captains Given the pre-season meeting targetted club chairmen and 1st XI captains, it is not surprising an improvement has been seen at the top level, but the intention was always that a ‘cascading process’ would be pursued within each club so that a better standard was attained at all levels. This has not occured everywhere. Secretary Wellsteed goes on: More work needs to be done by chairmen in liaison with captains at all levels. There needs to be a greater willingness to accept decisions on the field of play. Panel, player and club umpires all deserve greater respect. All captains must ensure that they understand their key role and responsibility to intervene. Everyone in the game should be reminded of the Spirit of Cricket. The League secretary concludes that ‘from his seat’ he is acutely aware that cricket clubs are under considerable pressure on a number of fronts, but this is one area where we can make a difference with positive leadership - and without having to spend too much money. Chairmen and captains at all levels need to be the agents of change and set higher standards, he concludes.

Habeeb scores ton at UCG URMSTON staged a Second XI championship game between Lancashire 2nd and MCC Young Cricketers at the UCG from Tuesday – Thursday last week, when a feature was a fine century by England hopeful Haseeb Hameed. Lancshire scored 317-9 declared in their first innings, the previously out of form Hameed contributing a patient 110 in five hours. Another notable contribution came from former West Indies Test batsman Shivnarine Chandrapaul with 56. It was the first three-day Lancashire game staged on the ground in 40 years.

Cheshire Seniors busy CHESHIRE Over 60s’ next Seevent National championship match is against Lincolnshire at Scunthorpe on Tuesday this week, followed by a trip to Durham at Stockton on Tuesday, August 1. Sixties 2nd XI scored an eight-runs victory over Devon at Kingsolme CC in Gloucestershire last Thursday. Scores: Cheshire 242-5 (Rob Ashley 89, Phil Thomas 43, Alan Hithmough 48 not out); Devon 234-7 (Ken Smith 3-43). Over 70s beat Warwickshire last Thursday. Scores: Warwicks 120-3 (Ian Brown 2-21); Cheshire 121-4 (Andy Hurworth 53 not out).

JULY 22 NEWSLETTER: p15

LEAGUE WEBSITES … The League’s Pitchero website administered by Richard Fennah contains recent pictures and documents, including all 2017 issues of Newsletter to date. It can be located on: www.cheshirecountycl.org.uk

For other League news including all 2017 results, tables and fixtures visit Darren Sutcliffe’s website: www.cheshirecountycl.play-cricket.com/

For those with difficulty locating fixtures, process the following: from the list of options on the index bar at top of the Home Page, select Matches, then Fixtures, then 2017 Fixtures, which are set out in colour. Saturday’s 1st XI results and tables are available on the website, together with scores from lower divisions and cup competitions. . Home clubs are reminded they must post match results with points, plus brief details by 10 p.m. on Saturdays - and ideally in full by that time. Full details need to be posted by noon on Sundays. Failure to do this will result in a fine. Several clubs are regularly failing to comply and fines are being imposed.

[email protected]: Monday, July 24

NEXT NEWSLETTER ISSUE: MONDAY, JULY 31