A weekend of mixed fortunes for all of our teams, availability issues having an impact, as well as indifferent fortune with the Saturday rain. We’ll start with the good and the not-so-good from Sat.

The good was the 2s going top of the Prem with a 24-run DLS victory at title rivals Chester BH (ignore the 5 wkt win thing on PC, it’s wrong but can’t be corrected). I umpired the game so had the best view of all the action, and am thus well placed to put words into Ryan’s mouth as it were. Having been at CBH for the second week of the season with the 1s, when the ground looked well short of standard, I am pleased to report that it has improved markedly and is back to where CBH usually is in terms of quality.

The coin that was tossed bounced up a fair way off a rock-hard surface, Chester winning it and having no hesitation in batting. But they hadn’t reckoned on a fit and firing J.Bidder (5-53) who was quickly into a good rhythm, giving batters the hurry-up, finding the edge twice (two good grabs in the cordon) and pinning the dangerous Andrew McFarlane lbw, who had hitherto been tucking into three overs of charity bowling from T.Bidder. However, after a daft run-out left CBH 80-6, they got themselves together and ended up posting 201.

In reply Dids paced it beautifully, well-made 52s apiece from Jack and Marcus (adding 84 together) and then Adam and Tom keeping the board ticking. Tom was distraught to call Adam for a poorly-judged single but more than atoned for that with a very cool head under pressure, and, along with OG snr, some delightfully judicious strokeplay in increasing gloom (the photo above I took quickly whilst the ball was being dried) kept Dids well ahead of the DLS par as the darkening clouds finally deposited a large quantity of rain just after 6.30, everyone scurrying for shelter and game done.

I chatted with the CBH captain after the game in their part-flooded marquee, he was gracious in defeat but philosophical too. 201 was not going to be enough on such a true track and quick outfield, but to get there from 80-6 was a great achievement from their young players. I didn’t think Dids did a great deal wrong as the score mounted – their lower order just showed what was possible with measured, sensible play. But I loved the composure of our batting, the calmness, the quick singles, the boundary hits, and the encouragement from the sidelines – it was a treat to be part of. The guys conducted themselves brilliantly too in a competitive match between the best two sides in 2nd XI cricket who played it in a great spirit. T20 Finals Day should be a fascinating watch, assuming these two meet on the day (they both should in all honesty).

The rain had a far less positive impact for the 1s, though. At home to Chester and in a poor run of form, with five experienced regulars absent, it was never going to be easy. Nick was very frustrated about the decision to restart in conditions that were evidently some way below satisfactory. He added “the weekend was always going to be a challenge in any conditions, CBH twice with holiday and wedding season taking its toll. Chose to bowl first on Sat having won the toss. Probably the right decision but we struggled for control with the new ball and the innings somewhat got away from us. 298 wasn’t miles over par but we never really got going.” 166 all out indicates as much. And with the Cheshire Cup match scheduled for the next day, the portents were not good. But we’ll get onto that.

Rehmani was even more frustrated about the 2As reverse at Bramhall having made an impressive-sounding 252-7 after being put in. “One of those days when you have done everything right but something uncontrollable - mother nature - still gets you. With almost a junior team we started badly but from 8-2 we managed to score 252 with a great contribution from Saad Parvez 86 and Sunil Singh 97* with 4 huge sixes. We were confident when Bramhall took 17 overs to make 63-1. But from 21st over the rain started and we played rest of the game on an increasingly wet outfield and drizzling which kept making it difficult to bowl and field. Added to that what we felt was a clear run out not given, we lost the game. I personally feel no shame as we did everything we could – we were unlucky with the conditions.”

Rehmani was in reflective vein when telling me about the over 40s loss on Weds to Timperley. “They are one of the toughest opponents to face. We did well in first half as they batted but they got away from us, going from 80 to 121 in no time. In return we played okay but in the middle order we couldn’t accelerate, or rotate strike, which cost us the game at the end. A tough game with Timpers at its full strength and every player was either a good bowler or batter.”

So to Sunday, and disappointments and delights to contemplate. Rosh’s women, having beaten Buxton by 7 wkts in their T20 Eastern Division game on Weds (Rosh and Kashmira again with the runs) lost in the Club Cup T20 Group 1 Final, beaten by Yorkshire side Sessay at Hale Barns. Sessay’s Trudy Johnson hit 12x4 in her 56-ball 79, Sessay 139-3, and that was to be the crucial innings as our girls struggled to find any fluency against an accurate attack. Rosh (47*) and Kashmira (45*) battled hard, 28 coming off the final 3 overs, but with a total boundary count of 7x4 and 1x6, the extra boundaries hit by Sessay proved the difference as they won by 20 runs.

After a dramatic 1 run Friendly win over Greenfield on Thurs, Ramilee Cabral (24*) and Helen Johnson (22*) made sure the good news kept coming for Zoe’s 2nd XI as they won their T20 Development Cup Q/F against Stockport Georgians by a comfy 8 wkts with some 6 overs unused. The draw indicates the 2s will be away to Alvanley 1s in the semi with a scheduled date of July 31st.

It was three wins and three losses for the mens teams. Paul’s Wanderers lost out by 7 wkts to a team named as “Hyde CC 4th XI – Hyde Youth” but for whom Mark Knowles and Mark Koehler (a former Hyde 3s captain whose name will ring bells with JB and DB amongst others) both played, the latter making 56*! But the team were at least cheered by James Coventry making his first senior half-century, 52 off 58 boding well.

No joy either for the Knights at Glazebury CC, where they took on Urmston, losing by 53 runs. Chris summarised “we bowled first on a disappointing deck, very green, no bounce, I took 3, Sam Hartford took 5-fer, dropped a few catches we should have taken, restricted them to 132. With the bat, ball stayed low at all times, Doc stuck around for a bit (JE writes - 8 off 37 sounds more like the Doc we know and love) but it was only Sam Hartford at 10 that scored some runs, fell well short, not a great performance but a pitch that wasn't conducive to a great game.”

We will save the 4s til last and now focus on the Sunday winners. Simon’s 5s won again at Flixton CC to keep up their pursuit of leaders Metrovicks. “Yes, we restricted Bollington to 174/8 with two wkts apiece for Isaac H, Shah Zeb and Josh Pinder. After a wobble in the chase we chased it down with 4 overs to spare with an excellent 95* (106 bs) from Shabih Shah which included a match winning partnership of 75 between him and Josh Pinder.”

More joy also for JB’s 3s who closed things right up at the top of the Sunday Prem, just 4 pts behind leaders Sale now after another stonking win, this one by a massive 122 runs at Toft. JB was rightly delighted. “We batted first in good conditions, Slater and Corbett got us off to a lovely start putting away any poor balls and running particularly well. Mike Corbett made his customary good start before getting himself out. Averaging 30 for the season without any 50s is always impressive! Adam took apart their spinners into the short boundary for a brilliant 60. What was great to see was once we lost our openers everyone in the middle order chipped in. 4 out of 5 of us making over 20 with Zac and myself motoring us past 250. An excellent score."

"Toft have a very good top order and our bowing attack made them look average, Zac and Rehmani strangling the run rate and putting us on top. The big performance though was young Harri Aggarwal (6-2-15-4) ripping through their middle order with a brilliant bowing display. We also had the return of Finn Lowe (5-0-12-2) who was fired up and bowling with great control. A huge win and the 3s league table is the most competitive I have seen with 4 teams in a genuine shot for the title. All 4 play each other this weekend…” Indeed so, Georgians visiting Dids for the last of the 2pm starts – yes, it’s that time of the season already!

But it was a fantastic team effort from the 1s that stole the Sunday plaudits as they battled back from an ominous situation in the extreme to record a thrilling last over win against a powerful Chester BH who meant business. Nick described it as “probably the most pleasing win of the season” with both teams desperate to progress in the Cheshire Cup. And Chester took up where they left off the day before, Alex Money (who made 81 on Sat) hitting 91, as CBH reached 186-1 with 11 overs remaining. Oo-er. However Dids fought back superbly, James G with 3 wkts the spearhead as CBH ended on 279-8. A stiff chase, yes, but a batting line up of that calibre in that position would have been looking at 310-320 from where they were.

What a response from Dids. Tom Hafil made a gorgeous 45 at just under 200 S/R and with Nick (56 off 38) also in determined mood, Dids reached 134-2 after just 15 overs. Then, mini-crisis as quick wkts saw the board on 144-5, but Rob (73) and Jack (59) added a terrific 88 together in the next 17 before J.Bidder showed his prowess with the bat, 41 added in good time with Jack before the left-hander blazed a soaring six to seal a vital win. Nick said “it was great to see a JBidz cameo in particular after so long out, but all the guys contributed so well and I could not be prouder of the effort they all showed, it would have been all too easy to throw in the towel after yesterday and our run of results and such a difficult start today, but we have hopefully revitalised our season now.”

It might seem odd to end with the 4s loss to Hyde, but Jack writes well and I thought his message to me on the game was a good way to end our review of the week. “Yes, our third defeat of the season, it was a frustrating day at Alderley Edge. On a deck that was incredibly tough to bat on, it was clear our batting line up (who were used to the fast and flat pitches of Wilmslow Road) was going to need to scavenge and steal any run they could. At 47-6 it felt like it was going to be an extremely short day, but there followed a 49 run partnership between coach and coachee as myself and Milan found a way to counterattack. The latter, at just 13 years of age, continuing after I departed to blast a 31* off 26, even scooping ex-Didsman AJ to the fence. Ably supported by Noah, the pair took us up to 129/7."

"On a pitch that didn't have anything in for the bowlers either - Hyde failed to bowl us out in 40 overs - it was as tough for us. Hyde's more rustic approach to their batting came good as they clubbed their way closer and closer. We picked up steady wickets, and at drinks we were arguably favourites as Hyde found themselves 80-6. Two turned down surefire LBWs straight after drinks killed our momentum and the lad who had been saved by his teammate blasted his way to 53* off 36 to win them the game. A frustrating end to what had been a fantastic battle, and a game played in good spirits. A game that could've been cancelled due to no ground availability, saw us play in the sun at a lovely venue, and play a hard-fought game of cricket. I'll take it.”

The 4s, the latest to suffer from the (in my view) ‘in-need-of-adjustment’ points system in Sunday cricket by getting nothing, remain second, though.

Thanks to all who made themselves available to play (and score) this weekend. Lots to look forward to as August approaches!