What a weekend of cricket! My heartrate has just about returned to normal after a gripping Finals Day scoring for the 2s. News also of our brilliant 1st team securing a place in the Cheshire Cup Final and our 4s pretty much assuring themselves of promotion to the Sunday Prem. We discovered that the 3s will have to wait another year for a tilt at that Sunday Prem crown while the Womens 1s loss sets up a title decider for them. So let’s get the tougher stuff reviewed first….

3rd XI – the 3s had no game after the withdrawal of Alderley Edge from the Division, and Sale beat Nantwich in the key game yesterday to claim the title – our congratulations to them. It’s runners-up spot for the 3s, who can still be proud of some fantastic cricket played, and after such a poor start to the season they could not have run it closer. And the T20 Trophy will resume its residency at the club after the briefest of hiatuses (is that a word?). The 3s will finish against Toft next Sunday.

Womens 1s – Dids went down by 62 runs at Lindow in their return fixture on Sun. Having beaten them on Monday, it was Dids’ turn to suffer the frustration of a loss. Despite 2-40 and 67, Rosh was left to reflect on a frustrating day when it seems little went right for the girls. Leigh won and went 12 pts clear at the top, but, as stated before, the two meet in the final game of the season on Sept 15th, so assuming both win their games next weekend it’s hard to imagine a bigger occasion for them.

Womens 2s – Ramilee Cabral was impressing again, 41* out of 59-1, when rain ended play against Lindow 2s.

2s – you couldn’t make this stuff up really. The boys experienced the bitter taste of the tightest possible loss in the T20 Final having 24 hours earlier come out on the right side of the tensest possible finish! In both cases the margin of defeat and victory was just 2 runs.

Saturday’s league win over Brooklands was slow-burner tension but the crucial win meant that, with two of their remaining three matches at home, the 2s have it in their hands to retain their title. It was probably the 2s least convincing batting display of the season (Jack Airey top scored yet again!) as they tumbled from 99-2 to 159 all out. “Yes, but it was a difficult pitch to score on, a typical end-of-season one” said Ryan, “turned significantly and Luke Maitra was a tough prospect to face.” Ryan actually had to bat, a collectors item in itself this year, and was involved in a last wkt stand with OG jnr (a theme to which we will return…) – albeit they only added five, they were to prove worth their weight as Brooklands found it no easier going.

“I’m not even sure how they got so close because it was not an easy scoring day” said the skipper “and at 103-7 we shouldn’t have let them get anywhere near. But that’s the game, they kept nicking and nurdling, kept going, and it got down to the last over. James Bids bowled a super set though, just too quick for their younger players, and we will gladly take the win.”

And so it was that 24 hour later the 2s were in the same position (in reverse) in the T20 Final, having cruised through their semi with a Lindow side on the brink of a league relegation – indeed, they face Dids in the last league game of the season and will not be champing at the bit after this game. The gulf in class and confidence showed pretty much from the off although having put Dids in, Lindow shelled an extraordinary five catches in three overs, dropping Jack twice in successive deliveries (when he was 5 & 6 - he went on to get 89 off 59) and Alex three times in three successive balls he faced! The pair added 54 in 7 overs before Marcus joined the party and saw another 74 added in 6, Jack repeatedly launching the bowling hither and yon. Tom Bids athletically took three accomplished catches in the deep to underline the 2s hegemony.

The weather had really closed in as the Final got underway and there were spells of drizzly rain (and some heavier stuff) but no stoppages, so far from ideal conditions. CBH chose to bat and after a healthy start Dids were in a bit of a spot with 42-1 after 4 on the board. Thankfully a fine spell from Alex Young turned things completely around and the hosts teetered to 106-9 after 17 – what an opportunity. However, the last CBH pair hung around and added another 28 as Dids saw the moment pass, CBH ending with exactly the same score as they had defended in their semi against Widnes.

Jack Hastings followed up his fireworks in the semi with a well made 29 before being adjudged lbw, he and Adam adding 50. Then wickets fell before Marcus helped shore things up. Then he was dismissed and, as the pressure mounted and the light faded, the runs got that bit harder to find, Adam’s fabulous knock notwithstanding, and it was 13 needed off the last – a lot to get in the circumstances. But two terrific leg side hits later, it was down to 5 off 4! Amazing drama in the gloaming – but then the key moment, as Adam swung a mite too early and skewed the next ball to short third, where a sprawling catch brought roars of elation from the CBH team and their support. Their bowler then held his nerve as the runs just couldn’t be found and in the end it was a 2 run loss – one decent hit.

There were warm congratulations/commiserations shared all round after a gripping game of cricket between the two best sides at this level, worthy of a final (apart from the weather). The 2s three-year reign as T20 champions is over for now but congratulations and well played to Chester who twice held their nerve to defend a modest score. No shame at all for the 2s and Ryan expressed his pride in the performance and how the team have played all year. T20 is a tricky format – the shorter the game, the more unlikley an upset – and for the 2s to have got into four finals in a row now is brilliant. I couldn’t have been prouder of them yesterday either.

Wanderers – a frustrated Paul saw his side lose out to Sale 4s on DLS after rain ended play with Sale 199-8 chasing 206, eight balls to be bowled. Father and Son had the pleasure of adding 93 together for the 4th, Zac booming his way to a highly entertaining 93, and later shared 5-52 between them, but in a very tight finish Sale were 3 ahead on DLS when no further play proved possible – had they been 9 down at that point DLS shows Wanderers ahead by 1.

Knights – all out 129 at Cheadle Hulme Personbridge (that ought to be their name in these PC days) but no news of any reply from the opposition. Rained off perhaps?

Better news from here on in though!

5s – tonked Timpers by 7 wkts. Zac Ekstein bowled 6-2-4-3 and Isaac Hindmarsh grabbed 4 as Timpers were all out 72. Simon’s side have their final game against third place Elworth next Sun, a win (or staying 6 pts ahead) assures the 5s of second spot in Div 2.

4s – went on a run-spree at Jeremy Beadle in a match which bucked the trend of more modest totals. I heard from a perma-delighted Jack. “Another superb batting performance by the 4s! On the back of our 236-1 vs Romiley, and 199/5 in the T20 Semi Final, we smashed an absolutely mammoth 303/5 from our 40. 132 from 94 from Zohaib the outstanding performer, a second ton this year, as his brilliant season continues. Fantastic support from Kush's 82 from 77 brilliant from an U14 – they put on 152 for the second - and another Madhu classic; 52* off 34. A great effort from Cheadle in response but Usman spun a web around their batters to take 10-0-39-5, we won by 56 runs, considering the scores it was a very tidy spell. We need one more point to be certain of finishing as runners-up – Hyde could equal our tally with a 12 pt win if we got zero – and whatever happens, along with our T20 cup run, all of this has been an outstanding achievement for a team that has so many young players. Very, very proud!” The 4s finish with a home game against Metrovicks.

2As – Tom Beresford was in charge for a highly satisfying – and highly impressive - win over third place Sale in Div 1. Rehmani forwarded me a comprehensive write up which I shall précis here:

“2As chase 250 to move up to fourth! We avenged our loss from earlier in the season to beat Sale 2s by one wicket in a thriller at Sale Sports Club. Sale won the toss and decided to bat first on a hybrid wicket that has seen 2 or 3 games on it. The pitch was flat and hard, and the outfield was slow largely down to its dewy surface. They ended on 249-7, about par. We stuck at it well on a hot afternoon – special mention for Nikash coming back to bowl an excellent second spell at the death, ending up with 12-2-48-2, and I’m told that it was double the number of overs he has ever bowled in a competitive senior game."

"An early mix-up resulted in an unfortunate run-out of young Tanmay in the second over of our reply innings, but we kept going at 5s, largely down to Corbs (29) before he was dismissed at the end of the powerplay, slashing to gully. The fielder then threw the ball at Corbs after taking the catch, resulting in some bad blood for much of the second innings. Rob G anchored things, putting on a half century stand with Shabih (17) - playing his first game for the 2As following his Finals Day heroics the weekend before. The pair steadied the ship up to drinks, for Shabih to then get caught attempting one of the shots he played so well the week before."

"A familiar partnership of Rob and Sean, who helped Didsbury beat Nantwich a few weeks prior, put on 77 runs in 16 overs in the second session, keeping with the rate. Sean was dismissed for 35 and then Rob was caught after attempting a ramp on 86, the stand-out innings of the day. Anyone’s game. Saad was then run-out, leaving Didsbury on 209-6 off 42.3 overs. Zohaib batted excellently for his run-a-ball 31, before holing out to deep midwicket. Tom and Nikash then put on 20 to get us close, needing just 5 runs to win, before I ran myself out attempting a run to mid-on. Nikash was then missed the very next ball! Didsbury were 9 down, 5 to win, and had 10 balls to get them. Nerves crept in and Sale were buoyant to be back in the game."

"That quickly dissipated as a full toss was launched for 6 by Haris over deep backward square, hitting the top deck of the clubhouse, winning Didsbury the game. Let’s say we enjoyed the moment! Everyone played their role, fielding well in the final 10 overs, running positively between the wickets during the run chase and building partnerships. The bowlers worked very hard in tough conditions and the team caught well.”

“The win lifts 2As to fourth, our highest position so far this season, leapfrogging Sale in the process. We’re still just 33 pts ahead of the side second bottom, though! Three games to play, probably needing one more win to be absolutely sure of Div 1 next year. We play Grappenhall at Mere next week.”

1s – beat Neston by 6 wkts (Prem) and Elworth by 73 runs (Cheshire Cup semi-final).
“Proper chase, that!” An elated Nick was rightly thrilled to bits with what he described as a “class pursuit” of 262 to win at Parkgate which keeps the 1s in third and on the coattails of the top two (the 1s 32 off top spot and 21 off second). It was not the tidiest display in the field, 34 extras conceded, and after choosing to bat and being 32-3, the hosts were more than happy with 261. But stands of 50, 68, 33, 52 and an unbroken 62, with Joe easing a seventh four to seal victory with some three overs unused, was absolutely exemplary batting, Tim’s two and a half hours of graft providing the ballast for others to play around. Timperley provide our last home opposition of the season next Sat before away days at Alderley Edge and Nantwich.

There’s one more away trip to add in, too – the small matter of league leaders and defending holders Hyde to face next Sunday in the Cheshire Cup Final! What an achievement to be there at all and what a game awaits. The 1s safely negotiated a potentially tricky trip to Elworth on Sun, on a pitch that was by all accounts very dry and with considerable assistance for the bowlers.

Dids were stop-start throughout their innings after being put in, and latterly more stop than start as the board showed 132-9 with some nine overs still unused. A bit of a pickle, but young OG had other ideas as he strode out to join Will and calmly defended four balls. Will then hammered 17 off the next over to raise Dids spirits, 5 off the next, and 15 off the one after that as the Dids camp cheered him on! In total the last pair added 45 before OG was run out, his personal score of 0 of no acount – that’s what partnerships are all about.

It effectively won Dids the match, as the momentum had shifted, and even more so when the General trapped their opener in front with the first ball of the reply. Horse nicked off the other opener shortly after in an almost unplayable spell, and it was battle stations for the hosts. Will’s wonderful match then continued with 8-1-28-5 as the tricky surface proved even harder to cope with, Elworth 104 all out as OG pleasingly claimed what I am predicting will be the first of many 1st XI wkts for the youngster, getting their middle order player lbw.

So it is to Werneth Low, where we have never won in the Premier Division era, that the 1s will head next Sunday for a richly-deserved crack at a major trophy. All support is more than welcome of course and hopefully our terrific season as a club has more happiness ahead.