Alderley Edge 1st XI kept up the pressure on the Cheshire County Premiership leaders with an impressive 8-wicket home victory against former champions Nantwich on Saturday.
Tight opening spells from Andrew Windle and Chris Cook set the pattern in Nantwich's innings, where only their Lancashire one-day star Liam Livingstone played with any freedom, scoring 107 out of a total of 200 all out. The last eight wickets fell for only just more than 50 runs as spinners Charlie Reid (4-13) and Sean Sturrock (3-60) ran through the visitors' middle order and tail.
However, there was always something in the pitch to help the bowlers and Nantwich's high quality opening attack soon had both Alderley openers back in the shed with only 3 runs on the board.
An uphill struggle seemed likely but the large home crowd was then treated to one of the best partnerships seen on the ground in recent years with captain Adam Worrall (92 not out) and Richard Wilkinson putting on an undefeated double century stand for the third wicket to see Alderley home with eight wickets in hand. Wilkinson deservedly finished on 100 not out as Alderley moved above their opponents in the table and into third place.
The 2nd XI completed a good day for the club with a comfortable win at Stockport. Half centuries from Marc Chan and Oliver Wildig were the cornerstones of a solid 181-7 score, one which Stockport never looked like challenging with pace bowlers Dan Fesmer and Tom Scott proving too hot to handle as they succumbed to 96 all out.
Photo: Richard Wilkinson (right) and Adam Worrall, unbroken 200 stand.
Match report by Rick Davis.
