PREMIER DIVISION REVIEW 8th AUGUST 2009
With five matches remaining, Little Stoke hit the top of the league for the first time this season after a thrilling 9 run, last over win at relegation-threatened Leycett.
George Cairns (94) and Richard Adams (38) put on a quickfire 132 for the first wicket, and professional Richard Harvey followed this up with an unbeaten half-century as Little Stoke gave a very sporting declaration of 210-4 from just 52 overs. Tas Hussain’s 2-62 was the pick of the home bowling attack and he followed this up with 45 which gave valuable support to Rob Walker’s 59, as Leycett victory, despite being reduced to 12-2 at an early stage.
At 170-9 it looked like curtains for Leycett, but a spirited last wicket partnership of 31 ensured that Little Stoke were made to work hard for their 25 points, which were
largely due to Gareth Morris and Steve Colclough both taking three wickets apiece. The final wicket falling with just 3 balls remaining could be one of the pivotal moments of the season in the Premier League race for the title
Richard Harvey’s side now lead the league by just 2 points from Knypersley who demolished Audley by nine wickets.
Audley were shot out on their own wicket for a meagre 88 with all Knypersley bowlers pitching in with valuable contributions. Yogesh Golwalker (4-27) was the pick of the visiting attack as Audley on reached some repectability thanks to a rapid 23 from last man Paul Johnson.
Kim Barnett’s unbeaten 41 ensured that there were no slip ups from Knypersley as Audley remain in mid-table and they will fancy their chances of reclaiming top spot when they play Leek at home next weekend.
Longton remain in third spot, but their title challenge seems to be stuttering, and they were beaten convincingly by a Wood Lane side who are also in with an outside chance of becoming champions.
Longton’s 221-8 declared was based around solid contributions from Pete Wilshaw,
Tom Birks and Tom Mellor, with visiting professional Ashar Zaidi producing excellent figures of 6-59.
Victory for Wood Lane looked a long way off with both openers quickly departing, but Zaidi followed up his bowling exploits with a run-a-ball 64, and he received great back-up from veteran Jeff Maynard (49 not out) and Richard Hassell (30) as the visitors took just 46.3 overs to reach their target for the loss of five wickets, with a home derby against Audley up next for Matt Hagan’s side.
Porthill are ten points in front of Wood Lane as their opening bowlers were once again in great form in their three wicket win at home to Stone. The visitors batting line-up had little answer to Mark Bengry’s 6-75 as they were dismissed for just 135. Porthill professional Faizl Akbar also took three wickets to continue his outstanding form.
In reply, the home side struggled against Qaiser Abbas’ accurate left arm spin and were indebted to Dave Ferris (33) as they limped across the finishing line.
Hem Heath will be looking over their shoulders anxiously over the next five weekends and they would have been happy seeing fellow strugglers Leek and Moddershall draw at Highfields. Leek’s 167 was built around skipper Jamie Cullerton’s unbeaten 50, and depite Rich Cooper’s 3-27, Moddershall batted out their 51 overs and finished on 99-8.
At Trentham Lakes, Hem Heath were in trouble against visiting Burslem when stumps were drawn. Chris Lowndes, Chris Roberts and Mike Rowley all made positive contributions for the visitors as they declared on 203-7, despite a five wicket haul by the outstanding Mo Hussain.
In reply, Kev Cockerton’s 5-51 tore the heart out of Hem Heath’s top order, and he was assisted by Michael Brown’s three wickets as the home side never seriously threatened the Burslem total and closed on 125-8. Burslem remain in mid-table whilst Hem Heath are 21 points above the drop zone and face a huge game at Moddershall next Saturday.
(more…)
