Upton reap rewards of youth development

May 6 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

UPTON have made a bright start in the First Division of The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League where skipper Gary Dixon is proud of a fast-developing clutch of teenagers.

Two of these youngsters played key roles in Upton’s Wirral derby victory over Birkenhead Park at Old Greasby Road when they bowled out their visitors for 108, of which Zia ur Rehman hit 53. Cheshire’s 2007 young player of the year Ross Dixon claimed 5-11 with his accurate off-spin helped by another 16-year-old in wicket-keeper Tom Marsland who claimed three stumpings and a catch.

With 58 runs from new Aussie all-rounder Adam Watson, Upton went on to win by six wickets. Energetic Gary, who recently completed a successful London Marathon run, said: “We have some really good youngsters here.”

Oxton have unearthed a quality overseas player in left-handed all-rounder Chandrashekhar Atram who has played for India Under-19s.

After scoring 67 on debut against Cheadle, Chandra took 5-33 to help bowl out Bollington for 105 in east-Cheshire.

Earlier Oxton had piled up 185-7, Chris Davies 55, the evergreen Peter Benson 39 and at this early stage, Andy Birley’s team look a good bet for promotion.

There was a hat-trick for paceman Simon Turner in Poynton’s seven-wicket win against Cheadle, while Warrington, for whom James Hughes hit a cultured 73, kept top place despite a losing draw at Didsbury

For the third week running, no play was possible at Bramhall (v Christleton) where the ground remains waterlogged.

All first round games in the Cheshire Cup were postponed due to rain and have been re-scheduled for next Sunday.