Batey helps Warrington to carry on surprising

Apr 29 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

WINNING their first two games in handsome style, newly-promoted Warrington are the surprise packet in the First Division of The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League.

After outplaying Bollington on the season’s opening day, Warrington collected 23 points from a four-wicket home win against Timperley, dismissing their visitors for 121, Richard Batey 5-31. Mal Agar’s solid 38 then saw his team through.

The first divisional century of the season came from Bramhall and Cheshire skipper Andy Hall with a fine 104 in a winning draw at Birkenhead Park. Bramhall declared on 238-4 after which Park blocked their way to 138-5, Zia ur Rehman 63, Mike Barnes 31.

Christleton’s Sri Lanka all-rounder Iroshan de Silva was the star of a comfortable win against Bollington at Little Heath. His off-spinners brought Iroshan 6-47 to help dismiss Bollington for 149, then a stylish 63 backed Rick Moore’s 68 not out as Christleton coasted home by eight wickets.

Promoted Cheadle Hulme shared 14 draw points with Upton on a tricky pitch at Grove Park. After Cheadle Hulme had declared on 156-9, teenage off-spinner Ross Dixon taking 4-73, Upton batted out time at 69-7.

Oxton got their season off a week late with a winning draw at home to Cheadle. Cheshire batsman Chris Davies, 81 and Indian debutant Chandra Atram, 61 helped Oxton declare on 199-6, to which Cheadle replied with 189-7, Mark Rowland 3-36, Tom Pearson 3-44.

Celebrating their 60th anniversary season, Irby are the leaders in Division Two. At Burnage, Irby declared on 173-8, then dismissed the first four Bur-nage batsman for two runs before bowling them out for 164 (David Collyer 4-13).

Highest individual score so far this season came from Winnington Park’s Aussie batsman Sean O’Neill with 145 not out in a high-scoring draw with Sale.