The Official North Staffs & South Cheshire Cricket League Weblog

PREMIER DIVISION REVIEW 18^th JULY 2009

Knypersley remain at the top of the league, but have now been caught by Longton, as the weather once again intervened in local cricket this weekend. Now, only 18 points separates the top five teams.

They drew at home to Stone after the visitors reached 172-7 with Russ Ballard top-scoring with an unbeaten 60. The Knypersley reply was heavily curtailed to just 27 overs, in which they reached 82-5, with Jack Thorley taking three wickets.

Longton’s game at Burslem was looking to be an exciting finish, after the joint leaders 202-9 included good contributions from Alex Thorley and Mike Longmore. Burslem looked will set at 117-3 wit M Brown and L Woodcock featuring in a potential match-winning stand until the rain wasjed any chances of victory away.

Little Stoke were the days big winners after they hammered Audley. There were half centuries for John Hancock and Richard Adams in Little Stoke’s 177-5 declared, and then Dan Colclough shot his team up into third place with an outstanding spell of 7-48.

Porthill got back to winning ways with pro Fazil Akbar taking 6-24 as they rushed Moddershall out for just 81 and they had little trouble in knocking the required runs off in just 20 overs for the loss of 4 wickets.

Leek were happy to escape with a draw from their match at Hem Heath. Mick Hall’s unbeaten 85 set the home side up for 182-6 and then the visitors were hanging on at 87-7 as they looked to break out of the relegation places.

In the division’s final game, bottom club Leycett drew away at Wood Lane. Matt Hagan’s men reached 186-4 declared in 44.4 overs with professional A ZAidi hitting a superb unbeaten ton. But only 9 overs were bowled in Leycett’s reply with the visitors closing on 49-3.

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