Back again after some time away to catch up with all that is going on in senior cricket across our brilliant club. The season has just under a month to go and many of our sides still have serious prizes to play for.

Let’s start with the women’s section and as I only did half a roundup last weekend there are a few games to catch up on:

1st XI: a brilliant opening stand of 143 between Rosh (77) and Isabelle Hevican (57, a maiden half-century) helped ease the 1s to victory over Oakmere, a second win in three league games interspersed with defeat by league leaders Lindow. They face Leigh next Sun, who are currently fifth but with games in hand, so a big test ahead there.

2nd XI: two reverses for the twos so far this month, going down to Northop Hall and to Hayfield, meaning they have slipped down to fourth in the table, but a friendly against Whalley Range 1st XI tonight (Aug 19) is a chance to go again.

3rd XI: just one game so far this month for the 3s who lost out in a friendly with Lindow 3s, sponsored by W.Ides inc!

Over 40s
Defeat by 20 runs to Hale Barns marked the end of the season for the o40s, finishing with seven wins and six losses from their completed matches – a higher number of wins than the previous year! Well done to all who have turned out during the season, with plenty of highlights.

Sunday cricket
Div 4: The Knights had to concede their 10th Aug fixture with Macc 2s after availability issues in holiday season, but put up a respectable display on Sun despite losing out by 31 runs to Stockport. Zain Ali made an excellent 84 (100 bs) in the Knights chase of 229, but it was ultimately in vain. Now sixth, there’s one remaining fixture for the Knights at the end of the month.

Div 3 East: The Wanderers had former Dids man Shah Jawaid line up against them for Sun, his 3-19 proving decisive in Dids’ 136, but he was snaffled for just 4 in the Sale chase. Sady for the Ws that was one of the few highlights as they suffered a third successive reverse and remain marooned in mid-table. Three matches remain to try and turn around the mini-malaise.

Div 2: the 5s lost out in their big game with Runcorn, swapping places at the top as Runcorn, although level on pts now with Simon’s men, have two more wins. Chasing 205, two early wkts set things back, and despite a fine 57 from Will Wood and a useful 27 from Paul N, both were run out to scupper any hopes of a real tilt at the win. Both sides have two games remaining, Dids facing Georgians (second bottom) and Woodley, while Runcorn have Timperley (bottom) and, intriguingly, Metrovicks, who are third and could conceivably win the league with two wins and favourable results elsewhere….so if the 5s can secure two more victories, who knows?

Div 1: the 4s made it three wins from three in Aug with a comfortable six wkt win over Ashton OM. A terrific bowling display led by Zach Ekstein’s 3-9, including clean bowling their no.9 who had made good runs for their 1s the day before, helped see AOM despatched for 110. Kush then clattered 53 off 38 to pretty much settle matters. Still second in the table, two games remain in what has been another impressive season for the 4s.

Sun.Prem: Hmm. Despite an encouraging and commendable fightback to post 184 at Nantwich, the 3s paid the price for five ducks and leaving 4 overs unused against a handy attack. It was a good job Aaron Grimbo and Isaac H both batted really well to make 30 and 41 respectively down the order, as apart from captain Corbs’ earlier 47 there was nothing else of substance. Despite the best efforts of the bowlers it was to be a six wkt defeat, and, more significantly, no points. I have said plenty already on how wrong it is to have a situation where a side gets zero having performed as we did on Sun, for example – it’s happened to several sides this season and every time it just hasn’t felt right – but for now, it is what it is. The salient fact is that the 3s remain 12 pts clear at the top and in charge of their own destiny, with four matches to play (two of which are against second place Brooklands).

Saturday
2nd XI Div 1: 2As: oh dear. Despite Haris’ 5-23 against Heaton Mersey, a chase of 169 which started promisingly tailed off into the cricketing abyss and is best not spoken of. From 43-0 to 100 all out tells a tale of increasing woe and sadly it was another setback for Rehmani’s men. A trip to second place Alvanley is next up – hopefully this will bring the best out of the side.

2nd XI Prem: Ryan’s side did exactly what they had to do after last week’s hiccup, and in some style too. Those of us with the foresight to draft Jack Hastings into their fantasy team were especially pleased to learn of a fluent ton, stands of 80 with Jacob and 173 with Adam absolutely tremendous stuff as the 2s racked up 318-4 after being put in. What a display! It was always going to be too many to chase and the bowlers did their job against the side that has plenty of title/cup winning experience. For those interested in the CBH take on things, head over to their website to have a look. Five league games remain, a 12 pt advantage should keep the 2s focused, especially with second place Toft to face on Aug 30 in what will be a pivotal clash.

1st XI Prem: simply, a crucial, vital, brilliant win against a Chester side that are aways tricky opponents. We were denied at their place earlier this season but not this time, and I couldn’t have been happier watching them (via Play Cricket) get over the line at Sale CC of all places, where I had been umpiring. Henrik alluded to the win over Widnes in 2022 in his write-up and that was the match that came immediately to mind, Dan and Rohan putting together a crucial 8 wkt stand to win us that one – by 2 wkts as well! Look how important that turned out to be three years ago, and I have a feeling that this time around, Steve G and Will’s super little stand could be every bit as vital. Funnily enough Dan & Rohan were involved in another important lower order stand for their current club on Sat! What a game cricket is.

So with roughly a month’s cricket left, we have three of our four senior men’s sides all top of their divisions and all with their destiny in their own hands. That’s the result of a lot of hard work, practice, training, focus, and of course producing the goods on the field when it matters. Our 4s can’t do any more than they are doing and our 5s are still right in the mix to win their divisional title. You really can’t ask for any more at this stage of the season.

And of course we have a cup semi-final, and Finals Days for the 2s and Womens 1s, just around the corner, as well as the excitement of the Lords final for our fantastic U15s. Do read Jack’s account of it all.