The Official North Staffs & South Cheshire Cricket League Weblog

PREMIER DIVISION REVIEW 23^rd MAY 2009

 

Longton are the new leaders of the Premier Division after a day of low scoring. Pete Wilshaw’s men are 13 points clear of Burslem after a nailbiting two wicket win at Wood Lane.

 

Dave Edwards with 6-51 was the destroyer-in-chief for Longton, and assisted by 3-44 from professional Roger Silence, Wood Lane were bowled out for 146. Dan Brierley was top scorer with 45, and M Bashir’s 4-52 made the visitors sweat until Tom Mellor with 37 not out ensured twenty points for Longton and top spot.

 

Burslem came unstuck at home to lowly Hem Heath in a shock 37 run defeat.  Hem Heath’s total of 113 didn’t look anywhere near enough, but an inspired five wicket haul from all-rounder Darren Sanders turned the tide Double H’s way, and led to an invaluable 25 point haul for the Trentham Lakes outfit.

 

Mo Hussain top-scored with 30 but Michael Brown’s six wickets looked to have given the home side another victory, but Sanders was in devastating form with the ball alongside Hussain who once more contributed well with the ball.

 

Previous leaders Knypersley were rolled over for 96 at home to Audley for whom Paul Johnson took 6-20 and Andy Johnson 3-9. Although Dan Hancock and Andy Marshal both took 3 wickets apiece, the visitors chased down their target for the loss of six wickets.

 

Leycett remain bottom of the pile but put in a spirited effort in their four run defeat at Little Stoke. Batting first Richard Harvey, Gareth Morris and Nick Bratt all made solid contributions for Little Stoke’s 195-7 declared, with Rob Heath being the pick of the Leycett attack with 3-62.

 

In reply, despite 42 from both Tas Hussain and Dinesh Darshanapriya, Morris completed an excellent all-round match with 4-32.

 

For the second week running  Faizl Akbar was in inspirational form for Porthil. This week it was Stone’s turn to feel the force as Akbar took a five wicket haul in shooting the home side out for a paltry 66. Mark Bengry provided excellent back-up with 4-35.

 

Porthill strolled to an eight wicket win in a game which only lasted for 58 overs in total.

 

Bowlers were on top in the Premier Leagues’ remaining game where reigning champions Moddershall beat Leek by 49 runs.

 

Richard Cooper and Kevin Stoute took all 10 wickets for Leek and it looked a formality that the visitors would win after bowling out ‘Modd’ for just 104. But they hadn’t counted on the home professional Rangana Herath who took 5-16 as Jamie Cullerton’s men were skittled for just 55.

 

DIVISION 1A REVIEW 23^rd MAY 2009

 

Sandyford lead the table and have put a little daylight between themselves and second placed Elworth.

 

Sandyford hammered visiting Stafford by 146 in a totally one-sided victory, which gained them maximum points. Batting first, the home side’s total of 201-7 declared was way too much for Stafford who were shot out for 55 in just 24.4 overs.

 

Elworth also had an easy win, this time at home to Meir Heath who are on a poor run of form. Despite 49 from Joe Woodward and 56 from Phil Stephens the rest of the visiting batting line-up crumbled in the face of excellent bowling from Rob beech and Steve Morgan.

 

Elworth cantered to a seven wicket victory thanks to solid knocks from Dave Palin and the in-form Murray Ranger.

 

Norton continued their superb start to life in the First Division with a crushing win at Crewe. Ian Reynolds was in amazing form with the ball for Norton with 5-0 from his 4 overs, whilst Staffordshire’s Greg Willott took the other five wickets as the home side were rushed out for 47 in just 20 overs.

 

Norton coasted to a ten wicket win and 20 points after smashing the runs off in just over 4 overs.

 

Rode Park remain bottom after another low-scoring game at Barlaston who won by 27 runs. Jon Gallimore (6-37) and Matt Myatt (4-29) rolled Barlaston for just 95, but debutant professional Niroshan Bandartilleke (6-37) and Mark Stanyer (4-29) were in devastating form for Barlaston who reduced the visitors to 68 all out.

 

Whitmore slipped into the relegation places after a six wicket defeat at home to Cheadle. Visiting professional Shaun Rashid was in good form for the Moorlands men with 4-48 as Whitmore were bowled out for 110. Cheadle coasted in reply and reached 112 for the loss of just 4 wickets.

 

Kidsgrove were the days remaining winners, after a crushing 145 run win at home to Blythe. Batting first, Dave Moors with an unbeaten 87 and Antony Green with 52 not out, ensured Kidsgrove declared on 178-7. But Blythe crumbled in the face of Dave Wellings (5-18) and Naj Shah (4-7) and were eventually rolled over for just 33.

 

 

 

DIVISION 2A REVIEW 23^rd MAY 2009

 

Oulton cemented their position at the top of the table in a high scoring local derby game at home to Stone/Swynnerton.

 

The visitors batted first and amassed 200-9 in their 60 overs, with Neil Podomore and Steve Aston both making valuable contributions. Tom Spruce, with 4-32, was the pick of the home attack.

 

But the home side’s batting line-up was once more in outstanding form and reached a six wicket victory in 43 overs, with Myles Coughlan smashing 76 and Spruce completing a good day for him with 45.

 

Checkley are in second place after a maximum points haul at home to Silverdale. Iain Carr’s 79 was the mainstay of Checkley’s 210-7 declared, with J Azam taking four wickets for the visitors. In reply, Gavin Carr and Justin Grainger both claimed three wickets as the home side ran out 58 run winners.

 

Bignall End’s poor start to 2009 continued at Betley where they succumbed to a six wicket defeat. J Austin’s 4-43 ensured that the visitors were restricted to 152 all out, and D Snape’s unbeaten 67 ensured there were no hiccups for the home side who are sitting in midtable.

 

Ashcombe Park continued their god run of form with a comfortable 57 run win against Meakins. The home side batted first and reached a total of 150, despite the best efforts of Meakins professional R Dammika who had the fantastic figures of 8-35. Steve Proffitt top-scored for Ashcombe with 58.

 

Silverdale were never in the hunt for victory as home professional A Gondal’s four wickets ensured 25 points.

 

Alsager are another team who are improving rapidly, and destroyed visiting Caverswall. Steady scoring by Chris Hampshire, Paul Pickford and Mushy Arshad saw the home side reach 184-6 declared with Rob King being the pick of the Carsa attack.

 

Hampshire completed a superb all-round display for the home side with a great haul of 7-37 as Caverswall were dismissed for 80.

 

There was an exciting draw in the division’s remaining game as Newcastle fell just 3 runs short of visiting Weston’s 201-9 declared. Mike Alexander top-scored with 70 for Weston, whilst J Nadir took the bowling honours for Newcastle with 4-40. In reply, Newcastle finished on 199-9 with both teams scenting victory as Phil Stockton took a five wicket haul.

 

 

DIVISION 3A REVIEW 23^rd MAY 2009

 

Bagnall stretched their lead at the top to 23 points after a comfortable win at home to bottom of the table Norton-in-Hales.

 

Ed Bateman’s half-century was the major innings in Bagnall’s 196-9 declared, with M Mason and R Ward also making solid contributions. C Ruscoe was the pick of the Tractor Boys attack and he followed this up with a top score of 47 in a total of 121. Alex Ravenscroft and Vish Sharma being the chief wicket-takers.

 

Wedgwood/Stanfields are in second place in a competitive league, after a four wicket win at Hanford. The visitors bowled Hanford out for just 98 despite Rob Kyle’s half-century. N Rana (4-14) and A Lello (3-10)were the pick of the away side’s attack. Chris Holland’s unbeaten 42 ensured their target was reached.

 

Hem Heath/Forsbrook continue to struggle at home to Porthill A. Matt Farr’s seven wicket haul shot out the home side for 104, and they reached their target for the loss of just four wickets, thanks mainly to Aaron Brunt’s 58.

 

Meir Heath/Fenton are also struggling and will probably rue their decision not to declare earlier away at Endon. The visitors used virtually all 60 overs in reaching 281-9 declared (C Mellor 93, W Mohammed 35) and Endon settled for batting practice and points in reaching 205-8 at the close. B Briggs and J Weaver both had useful knocks for the home side for whom Lee Slater rook four wickets in the visitors’ innings.

 

Moddershall A had an easy victory at midtable Woore after hitting 211-7, with C Plant’s 71 being the main contribution with steady support from D Housley and P Hawkins. The home side had no answer to Moddershall A pro V Indasiri’s six wickets and crashed to 67 all out.

 

The division’s only draw came at Oakamoor where the home side declared on 187-7, with John Edwards hitting an excellent unbeaten 65. P Cox and A Wootton both taking three wickets for visitors Eccleshall. In reply, Eccleshall were left clinging on for the draw at 130-9 with M Wolff’s three wickets almost secured a home victory.

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