Womens XIs
Sadly Rosh’s side have been spluttering this month, having started with a swanky 8 wkt win league win over Oakmere – Rosh and Holly Mc putting on 98 for the 1st – they then lost out at Leyland on Sun. Inbetween that they suffered a heavy T20 championship loss at home to Nantwich so it’s currently won one, lost one in that.

Only a game each for the 2nd & 3rd XI so far this month, the 2s losing out to Hayfield, but the 3s winning out by 5 runs over Hawk Green.

Over 40s
Unfortunately the Weds side have flatlined in July, a couple of losses and a concession of tonight’s scheduled game (assuming that’s to do with the World Cup). Two more games to play in July, one against struggling Bowdon Vale and one against top of the league Sale.

Knights
It’s been a real struggle this year for our lowest ranked Sunday team and their loss on Sunday at Urmston was largely due to them only having eight players. Full credit to all those that made the effort – and took four Urmston wkts. No surprise they have found themselves at the foot of Div 4 but let’s hope for a better selection hand and some wins in this second half of the season.

Wanderers
A super recovery after a thumping at Timperley saw Chris’s side win at Hyde, Albert Moss (32*, to go with his earlier 3-7) and Connor James (14* off 74) working hard in the heat to get the team over the line after the skipper himself returned a tidy 4-16. That put the Ws upto fourth in the ten-team Div 3 East.

5s
Shrouded in a bit of mystery at time of writing are Simon’s side! Having lost to Urmston a couple of weeks back, no news of the outcome of their Sunday fixture with Stockport Trinity as yet. The 5s are still third in Div 2, though, an encouraging effort all round following on from last year’s successes.

4s
An absolute wow of a win on Sunday away at league leaders Elworth brings mucho kudos on all involved. Aaron C’s excellent 66 and more than handy contributions from the tail got the 4s from 138-7 upto 202-9. If Elworth relaxed at seven down thinking the rest would come quietly, they learnt that timeless lesson of league cricket – taking 10 wkts is the hardest part of the game. And that fantastic lower order determination clearly revved the 4s up as the leaders found themselves 27-4 in short order! Isaac J bagged all four – great stuff.

An excellent game developed, Elworth enjoying a 91 run stand, the 4s back in with more wickets, but Elworth having clearly learned from the 4s example earlier as they got from 148-8 to within touching distance of victory, before Shaun B cleaned up the last man (who had whacked 26 off 13) and a 12 run victory was rightly celebrated by Jack’s side.

Next up for the 4s are Cheadle – that will be second v third in the table – a side with whom there have been some memorable tussles in recent seasons.

3s
JB’s side were up against Toft again, and won out in the league format even more comfortably than they had in the T20 a week earlier. I must be honest and say Toft’s poor league form this year has been very odd for such a talented side, but in any case the 3s took full advantage and didn’t muck about, racing to their 126 target before drinks. Nice to see Joe recover from his shaky T20 day by taking three wkts, incl. bowling Noah W, the Toft skipper and easily their best player. Sanjay picked up a 4-for before Krishav picked up where he left off with a felicitous 51*, Ibrahim – on his 48th match of the season! - getting things off to a flyer and Corbs likewise turning the screw.

Eight games left for JB’s men and although they are third just now, their destiny remains in their hands. Second place Brooklands on Sun will be a key game.

2As
What a season Rehmani’s side are having. Started off with successive wins, then lost seven games in a row, have now won four on the bounce! A brilliant chase of a daunting 264 at Bowdon on Sat really was a superb effort, five batters all making solid contributions against a side with a couple of 1st XI players in their number. Thus the 2As have now risen to a pleasing mid-table position, with Hyde and Maritime coming up this month.

2s
As I wrote in the league newsletter, just a few short weeks ago just three points separated the top three sides in the Prem, but since then Ryan’s side have really got down to business and are now some 40 pts ahead of the rest, which is a fantastic effort. OG was the Saturday star with a fabulous 6-12 as visitors Oxton – without a couple of regulars who were playing for their 1s – were seen off, albeit in slightly untidy fashion, but it’s 20 pts all the same against a side fifth in the table.

The next three matches will be pivotal - a trip to perennial rivals Chester on Sat – CBh are fourth - followed by second-place Brooklands the week after (Brooklands the only team to have beaten the 2s so far this season), then third-place Toft the week after that. So the implications of three wins are pretty clear. And if they can overcome Cheadle in their T20 QF next week, they will book a sixth successive appearance at Finals Day – extraordinary.

1s
Nick’s men continue to impress – and then some – in the league, still top despite two very good sides in hot pursuit – defending a small total superbly against a Timperley side who beat us earlier this season and who won at ours last season – followed by a fantastic win at Neston, James G claiming his best ever figures in a sensational first over which saw the hosts right up the Mersey at 6-3. Last year the 1s just couldn’t get the last man out at Parkgate but no such problems this time, even despite a mini-rearguard which lifted Neston from 48-8 to 141.

With three matches left in the WLD format – against an in-form Cheshire, bottom side Brooklands and then title rivals Hyde – before going back to WL for the last six games, the 1s deserve every credit for being where they are and have their destiny in their own hands. And you can’t ask for any more than that.

The T20 loss to Bollington was a disappointment – a surprise, yes, but a shock, no, given how well they are playing. There was the regulations controversy which has been discussed elsewhere, which certainly didn’t help on the night, but that’s to take nothing away from Bollington, who have since departed the competition after giving Hyde a real fright.

Sunday sees the 1s travel to Nantwich in their re-arranged Cheshire Cup third round match, a real heavyweight clash if ever there was one. I have to say that whatever is happening with football by Sunday, it’s well worth a trip to see what should be a fantastic match, top vs second in the Prem with both sides desperate to win. Nantwich’s ground is in absolutely superb condition, enhanced by a huge digital scoreboard and with benches all around the ground and a good seating area near the bar, lots of viewing options. Come on Dids!