Alderley Edge CC First XI returned to winning ways with victory over neighbours, and last year's ECB Cheshire Premier League runners-up, Bowdon on Saturday.
The hosts won the toss and decided to bat, a decision they were to rue with visiting overseas paceman Hamish Winter-Irving showing no signs of letting up his wicket taking exploits this season. Bowdon's top order was blown away with only 22 runs scored by the fall of the fifth wicket, the only partnership of note coming from number 8 James McDougall, who top scored with 47, and number 9 James Teasdale who registered 22.
Their partnership rescued the home side's innings, taking Bowdon from 55-7 to 113-8 providing the platform to reach a total of 134 all out. Alderley's attack was in fine form, dismissing the hosts with more than 10 overs of the first innings to spare with Winter-Irving grabbing 6-39 and Richard Wilkinson taking 3-47.
Knowing there have been a number of low scoring games at Bowdon's Southdowns Road ground this year Alderley's batsmen took nothing for granted in their reply. But there was to be no slip-up, with Alderley making their target for the loss of only three wickets. Opener Alan Day provided impetus to the start of the innings with 35 before passing on the baton to youngster Sam Perry who registered a superb 56 not out from number 3 to take Alderley over the line, Chris Ashling claiming 2-39 for the home side. Alderley currently sit second in the table, just 5 points behind current leaders Toft.
Alderley's Second team made it a double winning Saturday for the club in claiming a maximum points win at home against Marple. Winning the toss and electing to field Jon Usher's side struck at regular intervals to restrict the visitors to 184-7 from their 50 overs. Mark Warnes was again the pick of the bowlers with 3-23, Rhys Mallard and Jonny Scurrah both claiming two wickets apiece. Scurrah added a quick fire 39 to get the hosts off to a good start in reply, veteran Mark Currie accounting for the lion's share of the chase with a well made 77 not out leading Alderley home by 3 wickets with 3 overs to spare.
In the final fixture of the weekend Alderley's Third XI were on the receiving end of an eight wicket defeat at Nantwich. Able to muster only 121 from their innings, Chris Smith's young side could only claim two wickets as Nantwich made their target from just 23 overs.
Match report by Andrew Windle.
