On Saturday Alderley Edge 1st XI faced local rivals Toft, who have had the upper hand in the fixture for the last couple of years. Half-way through Toft's innings, nothing looked to have changed. Their exceptional batsmen Hancock and Jones had put on a partnership of 187 for the 2nd wicket, and with the score on 203-1, a mammoth total appeared probable. Alderley then fought back fiercely: Sean Sturrock and Chris Cook shared 7 wickets between them, and with 3 run outs Toft's innings collapsed to 277 all out – still a fairly formidable total.
Once again Calum Rowe and Alan Day got Alderley's innings off to a good start with a brisk 50 partnership before Rowe was out for 34. Captain Adam Worrall was at his most dashing in making a rapid half century, and Charlie Reid also produced vital quick runs. However, the innings was held together by Alan Day who carried his bat to see the team home, making a superb 112 not out and putting Alderley proudly on top of the Cheshire County Premier League with a maximum 50 points from two games.
The 2nd XI produced an improved performance but still lost to Toft, whose 2nd XI carried all before them last year. Marc Chan (48) and Adam Wildig (38) were the main contributors to a score of 171 all out, and Dan Fesmer's 5 wickets gave Toft quite a scare before they got home with 3 wickets in hand.
Normal service was resumed for the 3rd XI on Sunday, who, after an opening week defeat, firmly got their mojo back in the 20-20 Knock-out, rattling up 232-3 against Macclesfield, despite being 3-2 at one point. A brilliant partnership of 184 between Sam Perry (103) and Dave Johnson (93 not out) gave Alderley an unassailable total. Perry's century came off 45 deliveries, his second 50 being reached in just 11 balls. Lawrence Tissington (3-34) was the pick of a consistent bowling attack which restricted Macclesfield's reply and left Alderley as comfortable winners.
Match report by Rick Davis.
