Cricket: Young Upton side are doing Dixon proud

May 27 2008 by Mike Talbot-Butler, Liverpool Daily Post

UPTON are enjoying a successful season in the First Division of The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League with near-veteran Gary Dixon putting his faith in – and being rewarded by – a bunch of talented youngsters.

The Old Greasby Road team won their fourth game to go third in the table when they beat Bramhall in an unusually low-scoring game. Upton could only muster 129, of which Aussie Adam Watson scored 29, their batsmen being all at sea against the off-spin of Simon Wilkinson, 6-38. Bramhall’s tea time reverie was disrupted when teenager Tommy McGuire claimed the scalps of the top six batsman including Cheshire skipper Andy Hall for a duck in a return of 6-51. Ian Sharrock chipped in with 3-18 and Bramhall were bowled out for 119.

Oxton stayed top even though held to a draw for the third time in six games. Feature of their declared tally of 205-7 against Christleton was 103 by Mark Rowland, an innings which his captain Andy Birley described as “without blemish.” Christleton responded with 172-8, Rick Moore 43, Chris Stenhouse 4-76.

Newly-registered Overseas player Ganapathi Vignesh helped stiffen the Birkenhead Park batting in their home game against Timperley, contributing a stylish 45 to their 222-7, of which John Crofton hit an unbeaten 50. Timperley’s batting proved too strong, however and they won by eight wickets with as fine 123 from left-hander Tom Twiney.

Warrington were foiled of a 25 points victory by Cheadle’s last pair at Walton Lea. James Hughes scored 109 and Mal Agar 72 in Warrington’s 235-5, to which Cheadle replied with 185-9, Steve Heydon 5-28.

Division Two promotion contenders Irby had a busy week-end starting on Friday with a sell out 60th Anniversary Celebrity Luncheon at which Kiwi star Sir Richard Hadlee was guest of honour. On Saturday they won a thriller by one wicket at Stockport Georgians who posted 238-6. Irby won with their last pair together and three balls left on 240-9, Phil Rennie 68, Woods 55. On Sunday, Irby beat Crewe by nine wickets at Mill Hill Road to enter the third round of the Cheshire Cup. Crewe were routed for 77, Kevin Holsgrove claiming 7-37 and Irby coasted home with Adrian Kinsey not out 50.