As per last week, lost of great news to report, with handy league wins abounding, hundreds to celebrate (and a couple of near misses), two century stands between the same junior players on consecutive days, and Cup progression!

1st XI
The 1s overcame two awkward hurdles in the week to progress to the last 16 of the T20 and also into the third round of the Cheshire Cup, both those wins not to be underestimated. Indeed, at halfway last Thursday, hosts Sale were the favourites, 107-1 after 9.1 os chasing 177. The fact that Steve’s side kept calm, stayed patient and brought enough pressure to bear to come away with a 16 run win was a terrific display, the reward (as the 1s finished top of their group) being a home tie in the last 16, which will be confirmed after the last round of fixtures on Thursday eve. Eight other Prem sides are through, as well as the current top two in Div 1, so as we cannot draw Cheadle Hulme (they were in our mini-group) our opponents are likely to be familiar to us but just as tough for all that.

The Cheshire Cup progression (about which Henrik has written) was equally creditable, weakened opponents or not – just the kind of chase the 1s were in at Halesowen a few weeks back….so it was pleasing to see lessons learned.

Finally with the 1s a word about Chris Becker, for whom everyone is delighted at the breakthrough ton (and then some) that he made, after those near-misses in May. It’s a game isn’t it – last year at AE Chris chopped on third ball, out for 0….so it was some return. What a fantastic innings and what a great thing it is to see him establish himself in the 1s in such style after such a consistent display of run scoring.

Chris made 104* for the 2s v Nantwich last May. A quiet spell followed but from June 28th last season to this Saturday his league scores (for both 1s and 2s) are: 119, 90, 86, 86*, 20*, 67, 0, 32, 69*, 8, 142*, 52*, 19, 18, 97, 16, 98, 23, 16, 49, 163. I know you don’t need me to work that out for you but yes, that’s 1270 runs at an average of 84.66.

A quieter week for the 1s with the league game on Saturday their next engagement, Bramhall the visitors who have picked up after an underwhelming start to their first Prem campaign in several years.

2nd XI
Ryan’s side went to the top of the table after a comprehensive and comfortable win over Timperley, exactly the sort of game they should be winning in the way they won it – bowlers sharing wickets, a target well within range and duly achieved inside 30 overs of batting, young Ibrahim again impressing with 67 opening up, 59* off 38 for Hasto and good to see Jack Airey get some time at the crease with 36* too.

The 2s go to Cheadle on Saturday and have learned that they will host Div 1 Lindow in the next round of their T20 on Tues July 7th.

2As
A precious league win as tense and close as they come, but we will take it! After seven successive reverses things were looking bleak for Rehmani’s men but a glorious second wkt stand at Mere saw Dids youth at the forefront as Tanmay (65) and James Coventry (91, about to enjoy an unforgettable weekend) piled on a 162 run partnership against Bramhall, the highest in the Division this season. At 175-1 in the 38th you can imagine the mood amongst the players watching on….as you can also when they were reflecting on a final total of 200 some 11 overs later. What might/should have been, indeed!

The Bramhall reply swung one way, then the other as tension really mounted – and at 184-8 in the 46th, the 2As were almost there. But the Bramhall number 10 hit a six next over and eked it out to the final over, with his side poised for 20 pts at 199-8. Zain came up with the magic, though, Bells hanging onto a catch before the last man was run out by Zain (4-32 and a precious 7* earlier) off the penultimate delivery to hand the 2As a one run win. Wow!

The 2As travel to bottom club Alvanley on Saturday.

League - Women
A very useful win for the 1s over Chester BH which although not spectacular per se reflected a solid team performance – Rosh top scored again with 67 (94 bs), her and Holly M putting on 81 for the first, which was just as well because thereafter only Rosie (26) got into double figures. But the girls made an excellent fist of defending 164, Chester pegged back especially by Hannah M’s wily death bowling (which got commented upon in the newsletter). The 1s remain second behind Georgians, whom they play next week. Before then, another clash with Chester, who will be making the trip over on Thursday for a match in the T20 championship, an 18.30 start at Dids (I must find out why it’s not 18.00).

No games for the Womens 2s or 3s in this last week.

Sunday League Men – O40’s, Knights & Wanderers
Better news despite the Knights having to concede their Div 4 fixture with Ladybridge 3s due to availability issues – the Wanderers recorded aa thumping 116 run win over Macc’s Sunday XI with 59 from Amjad Hossain paving the way for a healthy 211-9, Macc coming quietly as wkts were shared. The O40s lost at Hale Barns last Weds but take on the Division’s bottom side Alderley Edge tonight (Weds 224).

5s – Simon played the captain’s role to perfection with his 33* steering the 5s to an excellent 5 wkt win away at Woodley after a stumble to 54-5 chasing 94. The 5s replaced their opponents in second spot in Div 2 as a result of that win which is sweet. The 5s entertain Christleton next week, who will be bringing a run of four successive losses with them on their lengthy journey east.

4s – after their brilliant stand for the 2As on Saturday, Tanmay and James C joined up again, this time at the very top of the order, and they put Heaton Mersey under the cosh from the off, a splendid 139 added by the pair in a hugely impressive display. Tanmay departed for 55 but JC went on to finish 113* (101 bs, 1x6, 15x4) – brilliant stuff. Combined with his 91 the day previous (and a 94 last year) words can’t fully describe how good it is to see another young player making a breakthrough like this, and with Jack present to see it all, it was a wonderful afternoon all round. The 4s are at home to Bramhall on Sun.

3s – a comprehensive win over Hyde was just what the chairman ordered and full credit to the 3s for such an accomplished display. Mike Corbett’s 57-ball 91 was the highlight, but more runs for Krishav (66 off 76) and the welcome return of Kush (31 off 30 opening up) augured really well for a young side serious about holding onto the league title. The 3s are at Timperley on Sunday.