Alderley Edge 1st XI brought a sequence of defeats by local rivals Toft to an end on Saturday with a convincing 75 run victory, and thereby moved up into the top half of the Vivio Cheshire County League Premiership table, completing an excellent August which has brought four wins and one draw from five matches.
Calum Rowe, currently in an impressive run of form, was again the mainstay of the batting with a classy 91, and he received very good support from Adam Worrall (39), Mark Currie (36) and Tom Foreman (35) to allow Alderley to reach a useful 241-7 from their 55 overs.
A good team bowling and fielding display never allowed Toft a sniff of victory, with only prolific Australian opener Hancock (56) and schoolboy international Jones (50*) reaching double figures. Jason Whittaker was again the most potent threat in the Alderley attack, his 4-59 taking him past 50 league wickets for the season. Toft had, however, looked as if they might cling on for a draw until Foreman took two wickets in successive deliveries, leaving Charlie Reid to claim the last wicket with just 7 balls of the match left, Toft ending up 166 all out.
Unfortunately the 2nd XI for once had to play second fiddle, their defeat at Toft extinguishing any remaining hopes of taking the title in what has nevertheless been a highly creditable campaign.
Match report by Richard Davis.
