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PREMIER DIVISION REVIEW 30TH MAY 2009
Knypersley reclaimed top spot after a comfortable win at Leek in the battle of the Moorlands’ teams.
Chasing Leek’s 169-9 (Keith Stoute 58, Andy Marshall 4-34, Yogesh Golwalker 3-58), Knypersley cruised to a seven wicket victory thanks to a superb partnership between in-form Staffs captain Paul Goodwin (71 no) and the veteran Ross Salmon (36 no).
Knypersley are now 3 points in front of Longton who had the upper hand in a winning draw at home to bottom-placed Stone. At 81-7, chasing Longton’s 227-9, Stone looked to be heading for defeat before a superb unbeaten 62 from Joe Smith helped the visitors to close on 186-8, with James Dawson contributing a half-century and Longton’s Dan Cumming taking four wickets.
Earlier, Longton’s total was based around professional Roger Sillence’s 56 and solid knocks from Mick Longmore and Pete Wilshaw. Visiting pro Charles Shreck was the pick of the Stone attack with 6-75.
Hem Heath moved into mid-table with a tense win at home to struggling reigning champions Moddershall. The visitors struggled to 166-7 from their 60 overs with only Chris Beech’s half-century making any headway against Mo Hussain whow as again in the wickets for the home side (4-53).
Despite M Jahingirs’ four wickets, ‘Double H’ reached their target for the loss of eight wickets thanks mainly to Lee Ridgeway’s 52 not out.
It’s three wins on the bounce for Porthill as they won away at a Leycett side who are competing well in most games but losing narrowly.
The home side were all out for 178 with visiting pro Fazl Akbar once more in excellent form with 6-53. Rob Heath batted well for his 45. Porthill were soon struggling at 32-3, but Dean Pritchard’s 54 was the mainstay of the innings and they won by two wickets despite Dan Redfearn’s 3-44.
Little Stoke hammered visitors Burslem to move into third spot. Their total of 227-9 was built around an unbeaten century from Richard Adams and 55 from Richard Harvey. In response, Burslem were skittled for just 83 with Dan Colclough taking the superb figures of 5-11. Only Alex Bailey with 31 put up any resistance.
Wood Lane won away at Audley in their local derby game to move just behind their neighbours in the league table. Audley’s 205-8 was built around a fine half-century from Sean Price, but Dan Brierley continued his excellent form with the bat for the visitors, and his 60 ensured that Wood Lane completed a relatively untroubled four wicket victory.
DIVISION 1A REVIEW 30TH MAY 2009
Norton demolished visiting Sandyford in the battle at the top of the table. Greg Willott and Simon Davies took five wickets apiece, with Stafforsdhire’s Willott claiming a hat trick, as Sandyford were dismissed for a dismal 56 all out in just 27 overs.
Norton wasted no time in ensuring an early finish by knocking of the required runs for the loss of just Phil Dutton (34).
This left the door ajar for Elworth to claim top spot after a comfortable five wicket win at bottom side Rode Park.
The home side batted first and Jon Gallimore’s 61 ensured that Rode Park reached 199 all out in their innings, with off-spinner Jim Higgins claiming six wickets for the visitors. Muray Ranger was once more in superb form for Elworth as they reached their target for the loss of five wickets with Ranger hitting an unbeaten 62, despite Steve Liburd’s three wickets.
Meir Heath’s miserable form continued and they now lie second from bottom after a comprehensive defeat at Blythe. Meir Heath skipper Richard Stonier’s 103 saw the visitors declare on a healthy 202-8, but Martin Bailey’s 82 and Mat Goodwin’s 45 not out from just 38 balls, ensured a six wicket win for Pete Finch’s men.
Stafford are also struggling this season and they were smashed by visitors BArlaston and their returning pro Niroshan Bandaratilleke who took four wickets as the home side were shot out for just 63. Barlaston had no trouble in knocking off the runs for the loss of a solitary wicket which ensures they leap up to fifth in the table.
Chris Barker was once again in the wickets for Cheadle as his four wicket haul ensured that visiting Crewe were all out for 155. Despite Nolan McKenzie claiming 4-23, Cheadle snatched a two wicket victory which moves them up to within 14 points of the leaders in fourth spot.
The division’s remaining fixture saw Kidsgrove’s strange start to the seaon continue as they were hammered at home by 188 runs by Whitmore.
The visitor’s 229-9 was based around half-centuries for J Mould, A Whitehead and J Hagen, and this proved far too many as I Fazil with 6-64 and S Haider 4-29 shot-out the home side for just 111.
DIVISION 2A REVIEW 30TH MAY 2009
Oulton are still in top spot, but they were defeated at Weston in a high-scoring game. Batting first Simon Banks (83) and Raj Kumar (67) ensured that Weston posted a very competitive 244-8 declared.
Oulton, renowned for their excellent batting, went full tilt for victory, yet despite Rob Spruce’s 95 and Prdat Jayan’s 77, they lost by 20 runs thanks mainly to Phil Stockton’s handful of wickets.
In the division’s big game, Checkley came away with a winning draw, just 3 runs short of Ashcombe Park’s total.
The visitors total of 176 owed much to a half century from Ahmed Gondal and solid back-up from Dave Proffitt and Andy Jones. Iain Carr was the pick of the home attack with four wickets, and despite Gondal claiming three wickets, John Pickles’ 54 saw the home side home for a winning draw.
There was another tight finish at Silverdale where all three results were possible going into the final over. Visitors Stone/Swynerton were bowled out for 180 thanks to Glynn Moore’s 5-89. J Ecclestone and L Cheadle were the pick of the visitors batting line-up and Ecclestone’s five wickets completed an excellent day for the all-rounder. But Mick Moore’s solid 65 ensured that Silverdale gained a wining draw and closed with two wickets left and just six runs from victory.
Bignall End remain in the relegation places and had to settle for a draw at home to rapidly improving Alsager.
The visitors 214-7 declared owed much to P Pickford’s unbeaten 81 and S Armitage with 42, and in reply Bignall End closed on 194-8 with A Howle’s 91 being the backbone of the innings.
Betley kept in touch with the leading pack with a 44 run win at struggling Meakins.
C Henderson and A Simcox both batted well for the visitors and ensured a total of 233 despite R Dhamikka’s six wickets for Meakins. Dhamikka also chipped in with 46 with the bat, as did S Nixon, but Dave Follett with 3-52 was the pick of the Betley attack as they bowled their hosts out for 189.
Caverswall are another team at the wrong end of the table and they lost once again, this time at home to midtable Newcastle.
Rob Walker’s excellent 71 was the backbone of the visitors total of 219-6 from their 60 overs, and despite Stefan Barkers’ half-century, Newcastle gained 24 points thanks to
Junaid Nadir’s 4-47.
DIVISION 3A REVIEW 30TH MAY 2009 Bagnall march on at the top after a comfortable six wicket win at Meir Heath/Fenton.
The home sides’s 14 was based on solid contributions from Paul Farmer and M Younis, with visiting pro Vish Sharma taking five wickets. In reply, the leaders cantered to victory thanks to Rob Ward’s unbeaten 46, and they now have a sizeable gap between themselves and third-placed Moddershall A.
‘Modd’ were convincing 73 run winners at Wedwood/Stanfields as bowlers came out on top. Moddershall A’s total of 169 was far too good for their hosts who succumbed to visiting pro Upal Inisri’s 4-17.
Norton-in-Hales remain bottom but will take heart from a narrow two wicket home defeat against Hem Heath/Forsbrook.
Te home sides’ competitive total of 219 was based around S Elwell’s unbeaten 62, but C Wright’s 75 ensured that the visitors left with 20 points to take them out of the relegation places.
Hanford defeated visitors Endon in a close game. The home side declared on 187-7 with Roger Davies and Rob Kyle amongst the runs. Endon were in the hunt all the way, but Mick Coxon’s five wicket haul ensured Hanford won by 24 runs and remain in second place after taking maximum points.
Oakamoor’s poor season continues after they were defeated by hosts Porthill A by four wickets. Oakamoor’s total of 133 never looked enough despite good knocks from D Knight and J Wood. Rich Powners’ 35 ensured there were no alarms for the home side.
In the division’s other game there was a fantastic finish at Eccleshall as they came within a couple of runs (with 1 wicket left) of reaching their victory target against Woore.
The visitors’ 207-8 declared was built around A Saunders’ unbeaten 91, despite M Pepper taking four wickets.
Anthony Bunn 31st May 2009