Ma THE Chester secure potentially pivotal win over Oakmere, but division one remains a five- DAZZLER 161 way battle … Ashton close the gap on Wistaston in division two … Georgians and Didsbury 2nd still bossing division 3 … League XI to play MCC announced … Two tied matches in T20 divisions leave Trinity on the brink of qualification, while Oakmere- Chester face West division showdown … Cheshire beat Lincolnshire again, and also gain points from Cumbria’s forfeit … Mason’s 130 leads way to Cheshire U17 victory over Lancashire

CHESHIRE WOMEN’S LEAGUE

Di vision One – July 9: Oakmere 129-4 (40; Dawn Prestidge 57) (5pts) Chester Boughton Hall 130-2 (33.5; Ali Cutler 60, Lorna Starkey 43) (25pts)

• Chester got home with more than six overs in hand to secure what could be a pivotal result in the title race. Chester now trail Oakmere by only 10 points with a game in hand.

Didsbury 124-8 (40; Leesa Mellon 55, Hannah Jones 41, Emma Royle 3-8, Coral Murphy 3-28) (25pts) Stockport Trinity 114 (38; Sarah McCann 22, Gaby McKeever 20, Zara Matthews 3-32, Amna Malik 2-9) (7pts)

• Trinity missed a golden opportunity to gain ground in the tile race with this narrow defeat, but they would still be within five of Oakmere were they to win their game in hand. Didsbury’s win moved them within 25 points of Oakmere – it’s that close between all the teams in the first division. Appleton are currently bringing up the rear, but would also go top by winning all of their several games in hand, so right now it’s both a five-way title race and a five- way relegation battle!

Division Two – July 9:

Wistaston Village 132 (36.5; Alison Smith 47, Katie Haszeldine 38, Emma Capper 4-21, Kasey Bentham 2-18) (5pts) Leigh 133-2 (25.2; Nicky Deane 40*, Georgia Taylor 33*, Capper 28) (25pts)

• Despite Alison Smith and Katie Haszeldine continuing their good form with the bat for leaders Wistaston, Leigh’s

best bowling performance since their promotion paved the way for a run chase that was completed with almost 15

overs in hand.

Ashton -on-Mersey 160-7 (40; Amanda Gettins 46, Carol Ingham 42, Rebecca Othick 3-23) (25pts) Oxton 111 (39; Rivca Burns 40, Gettins 3-15, Azure Wilkinson 3-24, Amelia Baddy 2-19) (8pts)

• This victory, achieved via an excellent all-round performance from Amanda Gettins and with several good

supporting contributions, means Ashton would be just three points behind Wistaston were they to win their game in

hand.

Division Three – June 26:

Didsbury 2nd XI 90-7 (20; Rosie Davis 37, Zara Matthews 21, Alex Wilson 3-26, Fiona Reeve 2-14, Kate Robinson 2-18)

(25pts)

Woodley 71 (15.1; Nicola Derbyshire 37, Matthews 5-9, Abbie Nicholson 3-16) (8pts)

• At just 15 years old, Zara Matthews is possibly the youngest player to a senior side in the league, and she

had a captaincy debut to remember as she starred with bat and ball in this win. The title race in this division looks like it could be between Didsbury’s seconds and Stockport Georgians.

July 2:

Stockport Georgians 127-4 (20; Natalie Bell 26ret, Liv Bell 25ret, Ella Smith 25ret) (25pts) Lymm Oughtrington Park 47-7 (20; Isabel Melia 12, Emma Eatough 2-11) (2pts) (Three of the Georgians wickets were Retired Out so Lymm do not get bowling points for these, as per division three regulations)

• Georgians march on at the top of division three after another fine performance here.

Chester Boughton Hall 2nd XI 48-8 (20; Jasmine Denton 2-7) (1pt) Hawarden Park 49-0 (10; Eve Bowen 19*, Denton 13*) (25pts)

• Hawarden comfortably recorded their second league win of the season.

July 9:

Hawarden Park 101-4 (20; Rachel Warrenger 26*, Lorraine Robinson 2-14) (25pts) Lymm Oughtrington Park 83-7 (20) (7pts) July 9:

Hawarden Park 101-4 (20; Rachel Warrenger 26*, Lorraine Robinson 2-14) (25pts) Lymm Oughtrington Park 83-7 (20) (7pts) (Full details not available at present)

• Hawarden moved into third place in the division, but didn’t have it all their own way – this was possibly the closest Lymm have come to winning a match in several years.

Fixtures in division 3 awaiting possible re-arrangement:

Lymm v Chester 2nd XI

Clubs should also note that they are now expected to upload full scorecards of all their home matches in all League competitions via their club’s Play- site. The League has decided that the home club should input full details of both innings, rather than leaving it to individual clubs to each input their own performances. Clubs should also review the entries on Play-Cricket for matches already played this season, and update these as required if they are incomplete.

For information, a complete scorecard means:

- The result is selected from the drop-down box on the first page - The total runs, wickets, overs and bonus points for each team are entered - All players on both sides are listed, including those who did not bat - The captain and wicketkeeper are highlighted in the team list – important for ensuring the ‘keeping award goes to the correct person - All batsmen’s scores are listed, together with their modes of dismissal and the names of the bowlers who claimed the wicket (if applicable) - The number of extras is stated - The names of fielders recording catches and run outs are recorded – here clubs are encouraged to review their scorebooks and other match records and fill in any entries on Play-Cricket where the fielder is currently given as ‘Unsure’. Failing to have complete records of this could deprive a deserving candidate of a fielding award come the end of the season. For the record, the fielder recorded for a run out should be the player who made the last throw during the fielding sequence, not the player who removed the bails. - A full bowling analysis of overs, maidens, runs and wickets is given for each bowler

The following information is considered to be ‘optional extras’ when entering a scorecard:

- The names of the umpires and scorers - The numbers of fours, sixes and balls faced for each batsman - The fall of wickets section - The numbers of no balls and wides delivered by individual bowlers

I am pleased to report that, barring a few entries of Unsure (see above), clubs have now entered full scorecards for all division 1/2 matches played up to June 25. Many thanks to all for their co-operation. However, a number of cards remain missing from division 3 and T20 matches, some have not been entered at all, some are incomplete and some contain a number of Unsure entries for batsmen and bowlers.

Clubs are also asked to assist the opposition by ensuring that the squad lists for Women’s 1st XI (and where applicable Women’s 2nd XI) are up to date on their club Play Cricket sites. However, please also note that where names of people who played in a particular match are not listed in the opposition squad, you should use Search for Player when in the Confirm Team screen, and if this search also fails to produce the player in question, it is also possible to create a new player via the Add New Member button.

SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE CRICKET

The Cheshire Women’s League XI to play the MCC at Ashton-on-Mersey on Friday August 4 at 1100 is as follows: Dawn Prestidge (Oakmere, captain), Alexa Harrison (Oxton), Carys White (Stockport Trinity), Alison Smith, Hannah Bratt, Katie Haszeldine (all Wistaston Village), Kate Coppack, Ali Cutler (both Chester Boughton Hall), Sami Fowler, Laura Jackson (both Appleton), Raffaella Rodighiero (Oakmere) Fielding reserves: Christine Lawson (Wistaston Village), Molli Coleman (Chester Boughton Hall) Scorers: John Rishton (Ashton-on-Mersey), Caroline Sheridan (Didsbury)

A Lancashire XI will play MCC on the same ground on the previous day, with a barbecue to take place at the end of the Thursday match. Please note however that this is not a League social event as such, and the barbecue is only really intended for players and spectators at the two fixtures, plus any other MCC Women members from the North who wish to join us.

T20 DIVISIONAL COMPETITION Western Division – June 26:

Oakmere Kats 105-0 (20; Phoebe Cottam 28ret, Helen Smith 25ret, Raffaella Rodighiero 25ret) Appleton Tigers 105-6 (20; Kathryn Jackson 25ret, Holly McCurrie 25ret)

• After hitting the penultimate ball for four, Appleton could not score the one run they required from the final delivery, and the match duly ended in a tie. However, although honours were officially even in this encounter, this was not the result Appleton wanted, and they now cannot top the group and claim the sole qualification position. Oakmere however are in exactly the same position that they would have been in had they won here, i.e. their final group match at Chester Boughton Hall on August 1 now becomes a winner takes all decider.

Eastern Division – July 4: Ashton-on-Mersey 92-4 (18; Carol Ingham 22, Becky Baldock 22, Alex Wilson 2-20) Woodley 92-3 (18; Abi Barlow 28ret, Wilson 20*, Azure Wilkinson 2-15) (Restricted to 18 overs per side)

• A second tie in the competition in little over a week, and this must also represent one of Woodley’s best results to date, including their record when playing as Bredbury St Mark’s. The result ends Ashton-on-Mersey’s chances of topping the group, as they have now not won either of their first two matches, but it also spells the end of Didsbury’s hopes – while Didsbury can still reach six points by winning their two remaining matches, were they to do so then Stockport Trinity would still be placed ahead of them as Trinity won the match between the two sides back in May.

CHESHIRE SENIORS

NatWest Women’s County T20 Division Three – July 2:

Cheshire 118-6 (20; Dawn Prestidge 51, Phoebe Cottam 29, Amelia Gardner 4-18) Lincolnshire 58-8 (20; Kerry Hartnett 3-12)

• Cheshire comprehensively beat Lincolnshire for the second time in a fortnight. After Cheshire had posted a competitive total, Lincolnshire didn’t even come close to the target, with Kerry Hartnett taking three wickets and Sami Fowler bowling her four overs for four runs, with two maidens. Cheshire’s scheduled second match of the day didn’t take place as Cumbria were unable to raise a side. The four points from the victory, plus four more from the forfeited match, take Cheshire to the top of the table, level with Leicestershire and Shropshire.

Cheshire: Ellie Mason, Kerry Hartnett, Dawn Prestidge, Phoebe Cottam, Kate Coppack, Hannah Snape, Raffaella Rodighiero, Kennedy Nuttall, Holly McCurrie, Katie Haszeldine, Sami Fowler.

CHESHIRE JUNIOR GIRLS’ TEAMS

Women's Under 17 County Championship A Division Group 1 – July 3: Yorkshire 237-4 (45; Adriana Darlow 123, Charlotte Cross 3-37) Cheshire 72 (36.1; Cross 36)

• An excellent all-round performance from Charlotte Cross was not enough to save Cheshire from a heavy defeat. July 7: Lancashire 206-4 (45; Emma Royle 3-31) Cheshire 207-6 (41.3; Ellie Mason 130*, Hope Anderson 22*)

• Ellie Mason’s seventh career hundred for the various Cheshire teams ensured victory over Lancashire for the Under 17s for the second season in succession. After the rest of the top order had departed cheaply, Mason did need some support however, and Hope Anderson duly played her part in an unbroken century stand.

Women's Under 15 County Championship A Division Group 1 – June 22: Cheshire 84-8 (40; Lily Scudder 20*, Molly Price 20) Derbyshire 88-9 (27.2; Madeline Arthur 3-9, Price 2-27)

• The Oxton duo of Lily Scudder and Mollie Price boosted Cheshire’s total, but unfortunately not by enough to prevent Derbyshire sneaking home with one wicket remaining.

July 4:

Yorkshire 177-7 (40; Madeline Arthur 2-15, Becky Jones 2-25, Molly Price 2-35) Cheshire 50 (20; 19)

July 4:

Yorkshire 177-7 (40; Madeline Arthur 2-15, Becky Jones 2-25, Molly Price 2-35) Cheshire 50 (20; Amy Jones 19)

• Once again frailties with the bat were evident, and Yorkshire were comfortable winners.

LEAGUE TABLES

Division 1 p w wcn l lcn BatP BowlP Pen NRR Pts

Oakmere 8 5 1 1 1 4 1 0 1.49 145

Chester Boughton Hall 7 5 0 2 0 7 3 0 0.35 135

Didsbury 8 3 1 4 0 8 12 0 -0.08 120

Stockport Trinity 7 4 0 3 0 7 9 1 0.82 115

Appleton 5 3 0 2 0 5 5 0 -0.29 85

Division 2 p w l lcn t BatP BowlP NRR Pts

Wistaston Village 7 3 3 0 1 6 8 -0.6 104

Ashton-on-Mersey 6 2 4 0 0 16 10 -0.24 76

Leigh 8 2 6 0 0 19 6 -0.51 75

Oxton 6 1 3 1 1 10 11 -1.06 51

Division 3 p w wcn l BatP BowlP NRR Pts

Stockport Georgians 6 5 0 1 4 3 0.96 132

Didsbury 2nd XI 5 4 0 1 4 3 1.47 107

Hawarden Park 5 3 0 2 5 4 0.78 84

Woodley 4 2 0 2 6 9 1.04 65

Lymm Oughtrington Park 5 0 0 5 17 6 -3.25 23

Chester Boughton Hall 2nd XI 3 0 0 3 3 4 -3.21 7 Division 3 p w l BatP BowlP NRR Pts

Stockport Georgians 6 5 1 4 3 0.96 132

Didsbury 2nd XI 5 4 1 4 3 1.47 107

Hawarden Park 5 3 2 5 4 0.78 84

Woodley 4 2 2 6 9 1.04 65

Lymm Oughtrington Park 5 0 5 17 6 -3.25 23

Chester Boughton Hall 2nd XI 3 0 3 3 4 -3.21 7

Each team in the top two divisions will play the others in their division at home and away, plus one fixture against each of the teams in the other division. Teams will play 12 matches in total in division one and 11 in division two. One up one down promotion and relegation will apply between the two divisions. The division three teams will play each other home and away. p - Played, w - Won (25), l - Lost (0), c - Cancelled (8), a - Abandoned (8), lcn - Team Conceded (-10), wcn - Opposition Conceded (25), t - Tied (15), BatP - Bonus Points, BowlP - Bowling Bonus Points, Pen - Penalty Points, NRR - Net run rate, Pts – Points

T20 West p w l t NRR Pts

Chester Boughton Hall Deemons 2 2 0 0 2.95 6

Oakmere Kats 2 1 0 1 0.72 5

Appleton Tigers 2 0 1 1 -1.7 2

Wistaston Swans 2 0 2 0 -2.06 0

T20 East p w l t NRR Pts

Stockport Trinity Fire 2 2 0 0 1.88 6

Woodley 1 0 0 1 0 2

Ashton-on-Mersey 2 0 1 1 -1.39 2

Didsbury Swordettes 1 0 1 0 -1.1 0

In the T20 regional divisions teams play the others in their division once. The winners of the Western and Eastern Divisions will meet in the Final.

Other league tables:

T20 Division 3 Group B p w l lcn wcn NRR Pts

Cheshire 4 2 1 0 1 2.12 12

Leicestershire 4 3 1 0 0 0.66 12

Shropshire 4 3 1 0 0 0.02 12

Northumberland 4 2 2 0 0 0.52 8

Lincolnshire 4 0 3 0 1 -2.48 4

Cumbria 4 0 2 2 0 -1.99 0

The teams will each play eight matches, playing the other teams either once or twice.

Other league tables: Under 17 A Division Group 1 Table Under 17 T20 Group 1 Table Under 15 A Division Group 1 Table Under 15 T20 Group 2 Table Under 13 B Division Group 1 Table

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

Monday July 10 Knockout Cup Quarter-Final (1830): Oakmere Kats v Stockport Trinity Fire

Tuesday July 11 Cheshire Women’s League (1830): Division Three: Chester Boughton Hall 2nd XI v Woodley (at Lymm Oughtrington Park)

Thursday July 13 Knockout Cup Quarter-Final (1830): Ashton-on-Mersey v Chester Boughton Hall Deemons Women’s Under 15 County Championship A Division Group 1 (1200): Durham v Cheshire (at Sacriston) Women’s Under 13 County Championship B Division Group 1: Lincolnshire v Cheshire

Sunday July 16 Cheshire Women’s League (1330): Division Three: Lymm Oughtrington Park v Didsbury 2nd XI, Georgians v Chester Boughton Hall 2nd XI NatWest Women’s County T20 Division 3 Group B (1330 & 1630): Cheshire v Northumberland & Cumbria (at Sedgwick)

Monday July 17 Knockout Cup Semi-Final (1830): Didsbury Swordettes v Oxton

Wednesday July 19 T20 Divisional Competition (1830): Eastern Division: Stockport Trinity Fire v Woodley

Friday July 21 T20 Divisional Competition (1830): Western Division: Wistaston Swans v Appleton Tigers Eastern Division: Didsbury Swordettes v Ashton-on-Mersey

Sunday July 23 Cheshire Women’s League (1330): Division One/Two Cross-Divisional: Appleton v Wistaston Village, Oakmere v Ashton-on-Mersey, Stockport Trinity v Leigh, Chester Boughton Hall v Oxton Division Three: Woodley v Stockport Georgians, Hawarden Park v Didsbury 2nd XI* Development Knockout Cup Semi-Final: Hawarden Park v Didsbury 2nd XI* (*= teams to play a double-header fixture programme)

Sunday July 23 Cheshire Women’s League (1330): Division One/Two Cross-Divisional: Appleton v Wistaston Village, Oakmere v Ashton-on-Mersey, Stockport Trinity v Leigh, Chester Boughton Hall v Oxton Division Three: Woodley v Stockport Georgians, Hawarden Park v Didsbury 2nd XI* Development Knockout Cup Semi-Final: Hawarden Park v Didsbury 2nd XI* (*= teams to play a double-header fixture programme)

Monday July 24 Cheshire Women’s League (1830): Division Three: Didsbury 2nd XI v Woodley

ENGLAND WOMEN

England Women bounced back from defeat in their first match to convincingly beat Pakistan at the World Cup. Natalie Sciver smashed 137 off 92 balls and captain Heather Knight made 106, the pair adding 213 for the third wicket in a massive England score of 377-7. Pakistan were well behind on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern when rain intervened at 107-3 in the 30th over of the reply.

England then made it two wins from three at the World Cup with a comprehensive victory over Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka scored 204-8 and England chased down their total with seven wickets and almost 20 overs in hand. Captain Heather Knight (82) and Sarah Taylor (74 not out) shared a third-wicket partnership of 148.

Records tumbled as England Women made it three wins out of four at the World Cup. made 148 and Sarah Taylor 147 in a massive England total of 373-5, before South Africa replied with 305-9. Beaumont and Taylor’s partnership of 275 was the second highest in women’s history, but was certainly England’s highest for any wicket, the highest made by any nation for the second wicket, and the best at a World Cup. The 678 runs scored in the match also smashes the previous aggregate total for a women’s ODI.

England Women made it four wins in a row at the World Cup, and this time it was arch-rivals Australia who were vanquished. Australia didn’t give up without a fight, as usual, and they ended their reply on 256-8, just four runs short of their target. With 2-31 off her 10 overs, was the pick of the England attack. England had earlier made 259-8, with and supplying vital late runs. The result moves England to the top of the table. England’s next match is on Wednesday against New Zealand, and is live on Sky Sports 1, as well as on the free-to-air Sky Sports Mix (available to all with a Sky or Virgin package, even those who don’t subscribe to sports channels), and on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.