Cricket: Alderley Edge back into pole position

May 19 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

ALDERLEY Edge muscled their way back to pole position in The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League ECB Premier Division with a thrilling last over victory over Macclesfield thanks a fine all-round performance by Cheshire’s Jason Whittaker.

In a match which lost 28 overs to rain, Macclesfield opted to bat first and were bowled out for 169, Jason Knight 43, Whittaker returning a handsome 6-39 off 19 overs. Alderley lost wickets regularly, but kept up a victory chase which they won with one ball remaining at 172-8, Whittaker blasting an unbeaten 37, while spinner Craig Melrose took 5-80.

Bowdon’s 100% record was spoiled when their key home game against champions Oulton Park ended in bad light.

Oulton declared on 175-6, Nathan Dumelow 51, Danny Leech 41, Adam Syddall 3-77 and Bowdon had reached a cautious 63-2 off 25 overs when the umpires called a halt.

Set to return home at the end of May to take up a newly-awarded first-class contract with Queensland, Nantwich’s prolific Aussie batsman Glen Batticciotto hit his third successive century in a 62 runs victory over Chester Boughton Hall.

He slammed 116 out of a tally of 217, the evergreen Alex Kegg taking 6-60, to which Chester replied with 155 Jim Gillson 58, Nigel Davies 4-36.

Widnes had the better of a draw at Toft which lost 40 overs to rain, batting first to post 174-7, Tony Hurdley 53, Josh Bean 5-62. Toft had their last batsmen at the crease when time was called at 158-9, Adam Carolan 52, while Widnes’ Aussie leg-spinner Dan Pascoe again looking a class act with a 4-53 return.

Bottom of the table Heaton Mersey put up a stout fight and nearly won their first game at home to Hyde, who batted first to declare on 205-9. Heaton Mersey made a bold bid for victory and reached 196-6, Matt Norbury 75.

With the weather unremittingly poor, it was surprising that Neston’s visit to Urmston was the only premiership fixture called off.