They say that in sport winning becomes a habit. After four weeks without a win, Alderley Edge 1st XI lookled sure to get back into that winning habit at Bramhall on Saturday when needing just 7 runs from 4 overs with 3 wickets in hand. Unfortunately that fateful 52nd over saw the last 3 wickets fall, all bowled, for the addition of just one run, leaving Bramhall victors by 5 runs and Alderley in a state of shattered disbelief!
Earlier, good spells from Simon O'Brien and Charlie Reid had pegged Bramhall back from 147-2 to 214 all out, although once again Alderley's fielding display had its highs and lows.
At 42-3 Alderley looked in some trouble, but good partnerships between Adam Worrall (54) and Jon Steele (42) and then between Steele and Oliver Wildig (48) took Alderley within sight of a much-needed victory. Although a couple more wickets fell, the 25 points looked pretty much assured until that dramatic late collapse!
The 2nd XI went some way towards reversing their poor run of form with an improved display, getting the better of a draw with Didsbury. Dave Leonard top-scored with 66 in Alderley's 189-8 from 50 overs, but despite a Herculean effort from Dan Fesmer who bowled an unbroken 25 over spell and returned figures of 6 for 68, the last Didsbury pair held out to finish on 149-9.
The 3rd XI juggernaut meanwhile rolls on, Ashley being routed on Sunday, 50 all out with opening bowlers Alex Gill (4-12) and Katie Haszeldine (3-32) sending back the first 7 batsmen. It took Alderley just 6.1 overs to overhaul this total, the prolific Sam Perry making 38 not out. Despite the heavy defeat. Ashley played the game in a most friendly and sporting manner which was a great credit to their club.
Match report by Richard Davis.
