You wait 2 years for an honours board worthy performance, and then 3 come along in 2 months (and 2 in a fortnight!)

After Rob's double ton in the Cheshire Cup, this week it was Chris' turn, a beautifully constructed 163 leading Dids to a staggering 396-7 off their 55 overs at Alderley Edge.
After scores of 97 and 98 earlier in the season, Chris eased to his first 1st XI ton on a beautiful pitch for batting, supported fantastically by the entire batting line-up (8 of the 9 batsmen made at least 20). After reaching his three figures he accelerated, hitting four of his five sixes after reaching the milestone, 112 of the 163 runs scored in boundaries. Even though he fell to make the score 326-6 off 51 overs, the Dids lower order added 70 in just 4 overs to power to within 4 runs of the all time league record set by Chester in 2015; changing just one non no-ball call they may well have beaten it (I promise I'm not too disappointed Alistair!). However, that still represented both the 1st XI's best ever score, beating the 391-4 they scored in a friendly in 2021, but also their competitive record of 378-7 in 2019.

With the pitch playing as well as it was, it was always going to be difficult to force a result, and so it proved. Skipper Sam Perry played beautifully for his 110 before a slight loss of concentration saw him turn one straight to the hands of debutant Khal at short leg. Dids continued to take wickets at regular intervals, but Alderley never really looked like properly wobbling and batted out their 55 overs for 278-7 and a draw, 17 points going to Dids. Although it might have been an entire different match if Norms were given out for handling the ball, but that's a story for another day...

Records broken:

• Highest team innings score for the 1st XI
• 2nd highest team score in the Cheshire Prem
• Highest individual score in a 1st XI league match by a Dids batsman
• 19th highest individual score in the Cheshire Prem

On Sunday, the 1s outclassed an under-strength Macclesfield in their Cheshire Cup replay to kickstart their hopes of a three-peat. It only took them 28 overs to knock off their target of 201, Nikash batting well for a lovely 45, and Sam finished off the match quickly with 47* off 29, after Jonty polished off the tail with 5-38. Next up is a heavy-weight clash away at Nantwich on 12th July.

Given we're on the subject of the honours board, there hasn't been an 8-fer taken since 2023, odds on that one for next week?