Apologies to both of my readers for no report of last week’s action, a combination of some time away and simply not enough time in the time not away to do some writing (if you follow me) so I will attempt to capture the action of the last fortnight in this piece, although only in detail for the games I have either seen or have knowledge of.

1st XI
The transition to 110 over matches has thus far yielded two draws which could hardly have been greater in contrast! The game at Lindow became an attritional grind, the hosts losing just 1 wkt in the last 33 overs of their inns as they sought to bat out – highlighting the challenge ahead to claim those 10 wkts. Chris went one better than at Chester earlier in the month but was still just short of the three figure mark – it can surely only be a matter of time. Chris’s supreme efforts are all the more creditable as his hand is still not properly right after breaking a bone during the game with Brooklands! But he is settling in really well and is looking the goods in the opening berth. A word too for Joe Cooke who followed up his ton with 48 at Upcast Lane and with Chris added 137 for the 1st – a fantastic effort.

The two subsequent opening stands between Tom & Chris have seen 46 and 82 posted – you’d take that most weeks. The first of those was the prelude to a quite extraordinary game with Nantwich, which it seems either most people were either watching at the club or online, judging from the feedback received. In a match that will understandably be remembered for the final over, it’s important not to overlook some of the other aspects – most notably Nikash striking 62* off 41 bs on his 1st XI debut, against one of the most formidable sides in Cheshire. And coming in at no.7! Quite brilliant. Jack told me how nervous his 16 yr old protégé had been that morning but that wasn’t detectable at all as Nikash stroked the ball confidently around, seeing 101 added while he batted, the 58 in 8 os added with the General to prove especially valuable.

Nantwich were in complete control after Luke Robinson’s spectacular 38-minute stay, and only they will know how they contrived to almost lose and in the end be happy to settle for a draw. Jonty’s heroics in the final over have been viewed many times both on the stream and on our Instagram, and no praise is high enough for the big man, who certainly found another level just when the team needed it. Bowling Rob Jones in those circumstances has got to be a Dids career highlight for sure – although had anyone appealed earlier in the innings when Rob inexplicably whacked the ball hard down onto the pitch in frustration after miscuing an attempted drive, and then picked it up, the umpires would certainly have had a decision to make! But what a finish, what a match, and how well did the 1s do to keep their nerve! 16 pts from each of the draws is decent and Nick’s men remain right in the mix at the top of the table.

Jonty performed superbly well again on Sunday in the National KO down at Halesowen – sadly it was to be in vain though, as the 1s let a wonderful opportunity to progress to the regional final slip away. They effectively bowled Halesowen out for 122 – but that was after a speedy opening stand of 94 had really set the hosts up. As mentioned, Jonty’s skills were key in pegging them right back – all the bowlers from that point did pretty well in truth – but a couple of costly bloomers in the deep, when 1s turned into 4s through boundary misfields, really came back to bite. After being in such good shape at the halfway point of the reply (95-1) the 1s gave it right back to Halesowen, a couple of casual dismissals the low point. Nick then misjudged a straightish one and Steve was unfortunate to absolutely nail a pull which, a yard either side of deep square leg, was six – it went straight into the fielders’ midriff without him having to move. A word too for Charlie – two fifties in two knocks made it six in ten inns this season, a superb return for a class player who is a big cog in the wheel.

The 1s have a busy programme ahead, with league, Cheshire Cup & T20 matches this month, Cheadle Hulme at home in the short format the first of these.

2nd XI
Two excellent wins for Ryan’s men to keep them firmly in contention at the top of the table, the twin tons for Nikash and Adam against Upton especially pleasing (delighted for both of them!) and some excellent bowling from junior Bidder, OG as usual and Jack Harland have all given the team a big boost.

2As
After an awesome April it’s been a miserable May for Rehmani’s men, a sixth straight loss coming at Sale on Saturday. All that can be said is that there are plenty of games left and the predominantly young side simply need to keep plugging away.

3rd XI
JB’s men are hale and hearty with two solid performances after the Brooklands reverse keeping them firmly in touch with Sale and Georgians ahead of them. A big test ahead this Sunday with a trip to Dane Rd, with a T20 QF at Marple the Wednesday after. Come on the 3s!

4s
Jack’s men have enjoyed successive wins after three defeats on the spin, which has done everyone the world of good. Moeed and Zohaib led off with a 137 opening stand against Runcorn, exciting prospect Mike Renison weighing in with 67 to see a massive 217 run win secured. A different story on Sunday at Grappers as the 4s were quickly 2-2 and then 30-3. But this boy Renison is some player, another 67 inspiring the lower order to knuckle down and get the 4s to 222, Shaun Bosworth & Zak Ekstein then picking up 4 wkts each as the hosts fell to bits, all out 89. Jack described it as “one of the best team performances he had ever been part of” to me, rightly proud of the fight and character the team showed with the bat, and what he said was “a superb bowling and fielding performance, almost flawless.” More please!

5s
Simon’s side sit third in the table, having lost to the league leaders Ashton OM on Sun – the first reverse they have suffered this season. The week before the 5s enjoyed a 9 wkt win over Georgians, with nine Georgians batsmen clean bowled!

Wanderers
After three matches actually played the Ws are in fourth spot in Div 3 East. They benefitted from concession pts gained via Bowdon a fortnight ago before suffering a narrow 11 run loss at leaders Cheadle Hulme on Sun.

Knights
The first win of 2026 for Chris’s side was a nerve-jangling affair, squeaking home against Ashton OM (played at Hale Barns) by 2 wkts on the 24th. But despite a super 114 opening psp between Vinod (72) and Dipesh Vasant (48) at Prestbury, the Knights only managed 193, which Prestbury put into context with their subsequent 8 wkt win.

O40s
A comfortable 8 wkt win over Barnton (Mike ‘Runs’ Renison at it again, 33 retired!) atoned for a loss at Ashton OM the week before, the O40s making a decent start to the season in Central Div 2.

Womens 1s
Despite a heavy defeat against Georgians, Rosh’s side are still third in Div 1, just six pts off the top and with a game in hand. Rosh herself made a second consecutive half-century at Flowery Field but the hosts knocked off their 144 target with 24 overs to spare! The girls were then involved in the Thunder Cup NW on Sun, and did brilliantly well without Rosh to bat their full 50 overs against Edgworth, the team grafting hard as they reached 210-7, and despite conceding 45 wides when bowling, clinched a 28 run win to set up their clash with Ramsbottom on July 19th, the winners of that going through to the semi-finals. At the moment it seems Cheshire squad players and Lancs players not involved in the 100 could be available.

Womens 2s & 3s
Ameila Grace whacked 73* (48 bs) in the 2s excellent 6 wkt win over Greenfield on BH Monday, and despite a setback against Alvanley on Sunday they remain second in Div 2. The 3s have only had the one game, losing out to Georgians 3s.