The 1st XI travelled to Broad Lane and put the home side in to bat when skipper Adam Worrall won the toss. Openers Roylance and Barnes looked set to make it a long afternoon in the field for the Alderley lads as they reach 45-0 off the first 6 overs. Nerves got the better of Winter-Irving as his older brother looked on and at his unfavoured end Tom Foreman couldn't seem to find his rhythm.
After a superb hatrick in the warm up, Richard Wilkinson's day got better and better. He got the crucial breakthrough Alderley needed and bowled well in tandem with Charlie Reid who enjoyed a longer spell than the previous week. Alderley continued to pick up wickets at regular intervals and when Chris Cooks superb direct hit ran out danger man Luke McCoy, Grappenhall were in trouble, crumbling to 111 all out. Wilkinson finished with figures of 5-37 off his 14 overs and Reid 4-19 off 9.4 overs.
Calum Rowe took it to the opening bowlers immediately in the second half, hitting a towering straight 6 in the first over. Wickets fell at the other end as Day, Perry and Sawas all fell cheaply. Wilkinson suitably hit the winning runs to continue his excellent day, finishing 19 not out with Alderley 114-3 off 23.2. Rowe played superbly for his 70 not out off just 62 balls to guarantee an early finish.
The 2nd XI continued their strong form at Moss Lane against Tattenhall CC. Despite losing the toss and being asked to bowl, skipper Jonny Usher must have been confident of a victory, fielding a strong 2nd XI.
Daniel Fesmer took the new ball with Oliver Hall, back from his mid season strength and conditioning session in Bali. On paper a potent, formidable and much feared attack on the circuit. With only 1 wicket between them the door was open for Warnes to continue his imperious form. However, it was not to be as Warnes slow straight bowling was not as destructive as the previous week. Ashray Bhamidipati showed Warnes how to spin the ball and claimed a quick 3-8 off just 4 overs.
Oliver Wildig must have wished he had his keeping gloves on when he dropped a dolly in the field. 2 quick wickets for seamer Oliver Pooler and a couple of late run outs saw the visitors bowled out for under 200 on what looked a well prepared track from chief groundsman Alan Day. Tattenhall finished 184 all out, a seemingly under par score considering the strength and depth of the Alderley batting lineup.
You couldn't possibly have asked for more second half as the 3 Olivers took control of the game, stroking the Tattenhall bowlers round the park. Youngster Oliver Pooler made a majestic 40, Oliver Hall and Oliver Wildig fluently stroking the ball to the boundary, making 52 and 63 not out respectively. Scurrah and veteran Adam Wildig were out cheaply as their minds seemed to be elsewhere. Alderley finished 5 down in a comfortable run chase, needing only 34 overs to finish the run chase and set up a very strong second half to the season.
A stunning performance by Alderley's young guns swept the 3rd XI to victory over League Champions and current league leaders. Batting first, Alderley were given a solid start by George Bell and Joey Chong, the latter going on to complete a fine 50. Further contributions from consistent batting, particularly a breezy 35 from Rhys Mallard, enabled Alderley to close at 194-9. Facing a stiff challenge to contain a strong Didsbury batting line up, Alderley were unable to make real inroads untit the dual spin attack of Bell and Harry Elms got to work. Bell claimed his first 5 wicket haul at senior level and with Elms chipping in with 3 wickets, Didsbury were dismissed for 138.
Match report by Charlie Reid.
