Wilmslow CC 1st XI 178 ao drew with Rylands CC 1st XI 133 for 6
It was back to terra firma for the Squirrels after last weekend's stellar performance. Even so, a winning draw was not a bad result and Wilmslow were always in control of this particular contest.
Invited to bat, skipper Patel saw his top order (contrary to last week) knuckle down on a slow pitch with a big outfield and get some runs. Toby Rowe top scored with a fifty, but there was support from Herriot 31 and Lees 26 in a total of 178 and maximum batting points.
Kinnerley bowled with pace and intelligence, Jags provided seam bowling of the highest standard and Eliot Rowe turned the ball square with his fast off breaks, but the wickets would just not come. Credit to Rylands, but there was perhaps a lack of ambition from the home side and this made it difficult for the Squirrels to crack this particular nut.
Wilmslow CC 2nd XI 132 for 4 beat Rylands CC 2nd XI 131 ao
No such problems for the 2nd XI at home. Having scored over 200 last week, Rylands won the toss and elected to bat. The pitch which settled down noticeably as the day wore on, started with a bit of spite and the home team took full advantage. Ward and Pickup removed the top order, clearing the way for Gajjar (5 for 14) to continue his great work from last week. It was a very good demonstration of leg spin bowling, and could be a very potent weapon in removing resilient batsmen (see report above).
With a very fast outfield, a small target and over 50 over's in hand the home side were big favourites to cruise home. A first ball duck for A Rowe was not however the start envisaged. In fact Wilmslow were becalmed with the loss of 3 early wickets, before Harding (52) and Metzelaar (48no) steered the ship home.
Next week sees the firsts with a difficult trip to Saughall and the seconds at home to Audlem. The 3rd XI make their bow at home on Sunday.
Match report by Mike Harding.
