Alderley Edge pressing ahead in quest for double

Jun 14 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

COMFORTABLE leaders of the ECB Premiership in The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League, Alderley Edge made progress in the Twenty20 Cup in mid-week when they reached the last eight with a comfortable 53 runs win against Bredbury.

Alderley amassed 200-5 thanks to a 140 partnership between Sohail Rauf (88 not out) and Mark Currie (80) and are well set to press for a league and cup double especially as they will expect to pick up more winning points today against wooden spoonists Heaton Mersey.

Second-placed Bowdon, who go to Toft, the division’s most improved team, give their players the day off tomorrow after the decision of Parkfield Liscard to concede a Cheshire Cup third round home tie against Stephen Bramhall’s side.

Nantwich will hope to retain third place at home to struggling Urmston while reigning champions Oulton Park head for Macclesfield within a week of completing three full years without a league defeat.

Chester Boughton Hall entertain Hyde and Neston, smarting from their poor performance against Toft a week ago, are at Widnes.

With Didsbury breathing down their necks, Division One leaders Oxton need to keep up their good form at Poynton, whose pitch is bowler-friendly.

Didsbury, second, visit third-placed Upton who have surprised even super-optimistic skipper Gary Dixon by winning five of their first eight games.

Birkenhead Park are pinning their hopes of survival on Ganapathi Vignesh and Zia ur Rehman and need both to perform today when they take on a useful Cheadle side in the park.

Christleton, whose form has dipped despite the all-out efforts of England Deaf fast bowler and skipper Paul Allen, go to promotion-chasing Warrington.

Leading Division Two by 17 points, Irby should make it seven wins when they visit modest Hale Barns, while Grappenhall call up talented left arm spinner Jason Smith for their visit to Tattenhall.

TODAY

ECB Premier Division (12.30pm): Chester Boughton Hall v Hyde; Heaton Mersey v Alderley Edge; Macclesfield v Oulton Park; Nantwich v Urmston; Toft v Bowdon; Widnes v Neston. Division One (1pm): Birkenhead Park v Cheadle; Bramhall v Timperley; Cheadle Hulme v Bollington; Poynton v Oxton; Upton v Didsbury; Warrington v Christleton. Division Two (1pm): Hale Barns v Irby; Marple v Sale; Mobberley v Middlewich; Stockport Georgians v Bredbury St. Mark’s; Tattenhall v Grappenhall (12.30pm): Winnington Park v Burnage.

TOMORROW

Minor Counties Cup quarter-final: Cheshire v Devon (at Chester, 11am). Cheshire Cup Third round (1.30pm): Northwich v Hollingsworth; Sale v Hyde; Burnage v Warrington; Irby v Nantwich; Bollington v Urmston; Grappenhall v Didsbury; Neston v Alderley Edge; Widnes v Heaton Mersey; Macclesfield v Elworth; Cheadle v Stockport; Lymm v Wallasey.