The table-topping clash in the Cheshire County Premier League between Alderley Edge 1st XI and Timperley at Moss Lane on Saturday ended in a draw with the visitors slightly happier in taking 13 points from the encounter to Alderley's 9.
Following heavy downpours which delayed the start until 3pm, meaning a reduced 66 overs game, Timperley won the toss and elected to bat. After initially being in trouble at 9-1, Ex-Gloucestershire opener Grant Hodnett built the bulk of the visitors' innings with a superb 102 from 100 balls, Tyrone Lawrence provided 25 from 24 balls in support. Hamish Winter-Irving was again the pick of the Alderley bowlers registering his 4th 5 wicket haul of the season with 5-47, Charlie Reid collecting 2-30 in reducing Timperley to 189-9.
Alderley lost early wickets in reply to find themselves 28-3 before a partnership of 84 between captain Adam Worrall and Khalid Sawas put the pressure back on the visitors attack. When Sawas was dismissed for 53, the momentum of the Alderley innings suffered which they never quite recovered despite positive batting through to the end of the game to finish on 167-6. Worrall contributed a lively 38 runs off 35 balls, Tom Foreman 28 runs from 28 balls. Timperley seamer Jack White bagging 3-22 from his 10 overs.
Alderley's 2nd XI suffered a loss in the reverse fixture which was also affected by the rain with a 64 overs game played at Kerridge CC while resurfacing work is completed at Timperley's ground. Losing the toss, Alderley were asked to bat first and responded with 227-7 in 32 overs, Ollie Wildig hitting 77, John Scurrah 39 and Adam Wildig and Captain Jon Usher both getting 34.
In reply, a lack of bowling options was the undoing for Alderley, Mark Warnes providing 4-75 but finding little support to apply the necessary pressure to Timperley's order. M. Ness carried his bat in registering 94 n.o. for the hosts who went on to win by three wickets with only two deliveries remaining in the game.
In the 3rd XI game with Hyde on Sunday Alderley suffered defeat after performing well in the first innings in restricting Hyde to 198-9. Fine half centuries from Paul Heaton and George Bell led Alderley to 116-1 before a disappointing middle order collapse left Alderley 32 runs short of their total.
Match report by Andrew Windle.
