Wilmslow 1st XI 89 for 5 beat Wilmslow Wayfarers 88 all out
Despite the weather, the Rectory Field looked resplendent as Wilmslow CC hosted the Wilmslow Wayfarers CC last Saturday.
This local derby always attracts some interest, especially so this year, as both teams occupy the top two spots in the Cheshire Cricket Alliance 2nd division. With this 5 wicket win, Wilmslow CC moved 32 points clear at the top of the table.
The Wilmslow opening bowlers Tom Rowe (5 for 21) and Jags Narayaran (4 for 25), needed no second invitation to bowl on this seamer friendly track. Making the very most of the conditions, they reduced the visitors to 33 for 9.
With the wicket drying out batting did get slightly easier. Mape (25no) and Bhamjee (18) showed the required application, perhaps missing from their colleagues the order. They put on 55 for the final wicket, but the target of 88 was still well below par.
Wilmslow openers Elliot Rowe (21) and Andy Gill have application in abundance. Not to be hurried they put on 38, before Gill played on for a respectable 28 given the job in hand. Elliot Rowe nearly saw it through, and there were some scares as Mark Smith took a five for 27, but it was a comfortable win in the end.
Wilmslow 2nd XI did a similar job at Oakwood Farm. Skipper Conniffe took one look at the pitch and decided to bowl having won the toss. Wayfarers had worked really hard to get this game on, and didn't deserve to be bowled out for 42 in just 16 overs. Credit however must go to Lomax 5 for 20, Pickup 2 for 17 and E Hart 2 for 0, who along with 3 catches for Chris Arnott took full advantage. The visitors lost 3 wickets in reply to register a much needed win after two straight losses.
Wilmslow 3rds registered their first defeat of the season by one wicket at Haughton Green, but still top the 3rd division of the Greater Manchester Amateur Cricket League. . These are always entertaining games and a good way to introduce young players into senior cricket. There were useful contributions from teenagers Jack Newson and Elliot Cooke who both cleared the boundary for sixes, but a total of 130 was never enough on a tight ground.
This is a member post by Mike Harding.
