The qualifying final for the North Staffs & South Cheshire Premier League took place on Tuesday the 4th August 2009 at Burslem CC.
Result as follows:
Burslem 190 for 1 (M Rowley 101 not out, C Roberts 55)
Little Stoke 125 all out off 18.1 overs (W Ahmed 3-12, A Sheeran 2-30)
Burslem represent the League in the area finals on Sunday 30th August at Knowle & Dorridge CC.
DIVISION 1A REVIEW 1st AUGUST 2009
I’m sure many a local cricketer either muttered or thought of the phrase, “There wunna be any cricket anywhere today”, at some stage yesterday. But once again, a handful of teams dodged the monsoon-like conditions to gain precious points.
Amongst the card schools, stump cricket and scrambled mobile calls to loved ones telling them that there’s “another inspection at 7.20pm, duck”, there was, unbelievably some cricket played in the area yesterday.
And it was Elworth and Stafford who benefited the most from the weather. Elworth gained maximum points in beating Blythe at home, whilst Stafford won the crunch relegation battle away at Crewe.
Elworth went top of the division after a low-scoring game saw them the victors by a 36-run margin. Once again, it was off-spinner Jim Higgins who was the main man for the Sandbach-based club, as his superb spell of 7-42 reduced the visitors to 104 all out.
Earlier Nilantha Cooray had taken 6-27 to put Blythe in the driving seat, but Ross Kestevens’ 39, and useful contributions from Pete Barnett and Tom Bamford gave Elworth something to defend in reaching 140 and they recorded a superb victory as Blythe had no answer to the wiles of Higgins.
Stafford moved 20 points clear of the drop zone after hammering bottom club Crewe, as Cheshire seemed to escape the worst of the local weather.
It was a great toss to win by Guy Seaton as new-ball pairing Mark Smallman and Noel Hunt had the Crewe innings in tatters at 27-7. Only a quickfire 27 from Hasmin Naseer gave the Crewe total any modicum of respectability as they struggled to just 78 in 29 overs. Smallman took 4-15 and Hunt 3-7 as they all but ensured 20 points for the visitors.
Despite losing Ashley Lunn of the second ball of the innings, Smallman ensured that it was a great day for both him and his team by walloping 52 off just 47 deliveries, hitting nine boundaries. Crewe and Kidsgrove are now in the relegation places and Stafford move up to fourth from bottom.
There was also play at Whitmore, as the two teams that were promoted from Division Two last season fought out a close draw.
Greg Willott was once more in great form for the visitors as he took al seven Whitmore wickets to fall (7-69) as the home side totalled 137-7 from their 31 overs. They were indebted to an excellent half-century from Ian Porter which ensured that all three results were possible when Norton batted.
Tony Dutton’s solid 39 ensured that the visitors drew, but they’ll be disappointed they missed out on an extra batting point by one run, as they closed on 99-8 with Whitmore’s fielders on top form running out three Norton batsmen.
Whitmore lie third, 45 points behind Barlaston, whilst Norton are one place and 11 points behind them.
DIVISION 2A REVIEW :
Only one game escaped the weather in Division Two A, but it was enough to see Betley win at Caverswall and go to the top of the league by five points from Ashcombe Park.
Former Middlesex and Staffs seamer Dave Follett was in prime form for Betley, as he tore through the Carsa batting line-up to take superb figures of 7-57. Only Greg Phillips with 49 (7 boundaries) put up any concerted resistance as his side were bowled out for 158.
Marlon Martin did his best to put his team back in the hunt with four wickets, but a second wicket stand of 105 between Wayne Downing (71) and Richard Bebbington (41) saw Betley home to a four wicket victory.
DIVISION 3A REVIEW:
Only one match was started in Division 3A, but yet again, it was a crucial and possibly pivotal one as Wedgwood/Stanfields won at Woore to leapfrog Bagnall, who they now lead by three points.
Woore had no answer to Richie Jarvis (5-34 off 16 overs) and Gareth Lello (4-16 off 15 overs) as they crawled to 55-9 from 31 overs, with just four boundaries in the entire innings.
Lee Smith’s 34, including two sixes, ensured that the visitors won at a canter with Jervis hitting a six to win the game.
Anthony Bunn 2.8.09
