Alderley Edge First XI were left to rue an opportunity missed against one of their title rivals in the Cheshire County Premier League on Saturday securing a tie away at third-placed Hyde despite a blistering hundred from Ben Kohler-Cadmore which put their chase well on track in the second innings.
Winning the toss and electing to bowl first Alderley's seamers took advantage of a helpful wicket with Andrew Windle claiming both openers in collecting 2-18 off 9 overs and Jimmy Naylor snagging the dangerous Kesh Fonseka to leave Hyde on 44-3.
Ben Balderson hit a breezy 35 to pull Hyde back into the contest in partnership with David Fitsimmons who, after surviving an early chance, capitalised to make 44 in the middle order as Hyde recovered to 156-4. Fitzsimmons became the first of four victims for Richard Wilkinson in a returning spell which knocked over Hyde's lower order to reduce the hosts to 185-9.
As Alderley were looking to wrap things up for a chase of less than 200, Hyde number 11 John Ashley provided a sting in the tail for the hosts blasting 33 not out (including 5 maximums) from just 21 deliveries for the home side to close on 232-9 from their 55 overs.
Alderley's reply started strongly with skipper Sam Perry and Ben Kohler-Cadmore putting on an opening stand of 94 before Perry was removed for 35 by Cheshire seamer Luke Young. After Young picked up Subhaan Mahmood shortly after, Kohler-Cadmore continued to steer Alderley's innings with some fine strokeplay, being particularly savage on the seam bowling of Andrew Jackson, as he a completed his century off 102 balls (including ten 4's and five 6's) and, in partnership with Ed Foster took the visitors on to 193-2.
The dismissal of Kohler-Cadmore for 107, bowled by Cole Turner, buoyed the hosts whose skipper Danny Cranmer began to turn the screw with a strong spell of spin bowling (3-42 off 17 overs) which accounted for Richard Wilkinson and Foster, for a well made 39, in quick succession to leave Alderley on 201-5.
From there the momentum swung to the home team as wickets continue to fall despite the asking rate being less than 3 an over for the majority of the remaining chase. Playing a lone hand amid the carnage was Charlie Barnard who celebrated his call up to the England under-19 squad with a composed 15 not out from 22 balls to keep Alderley inching towards their target.
With the scores level with one ball remaining number 11 Dan Fesmer was run out agonisingly close to securing the single needed to give Alderley victory with a good collection and throw from Ben Balderson at mid-on ensuring a tie and 16 points for each team.
As a result Alderley were left to rue a missed opportunity to land a significant blow on their opponents who began the day in third place, three points behind second-placed Alderley whose loss of their last 8 wickets for just 39 runs transformed their chase from canter to chaos.
Alderley's Second XI continued their recent good form with a strong performance against neighbours Macclesfield at Moss Lane on Saturday with skipper Andy Kennedy hitting a fine century to lift the hosts out of early trouble after Ben Farmer reduced them to 10-2.
Ollie Kenyon hit an unbeaten 76 from number 4, combining with Kennedy to add 179 for the third wicket allowing Alderley to close on 217-6 from their 50 overs, Farmer taking 5-65 in a good bowling display for Macclesfield.
In the second innings Alderley's bowlers controlled the run rate sufficiently to keep the Macclesfield chase at arm's length with several visiting batsmen getting starts but failing to go on to register a score that would really hurt the hosts, Dan Evans top scoring with 49 before becoming one of four wickets for George Valentine in another good outing with the ball (4-71 from 15 overs).
A burst of 3-24 from Alan Day helped to give the hosts a sniff of victory but Robin Farmer and Jacob Tidswell batted out the remaining balls to claim a share of the points for the visitors who took 6 points from the draw to Alderley's 14.
On Sunday, Alderley's Third XI were again thwarted by the weather with rain intervening at the tea interval of their match with Romiley at Moss Lane, the sides unable to continue after the hosts had racked up 167 in the first innings with opener Calum Wilson top-scoring with 48 as both sides took 2 points from the contest.
Match report by Andrew Windle.
