Urmston came to Alderley Edge last Saturday leading the ECB Premier League table after two games, which was something of a surprise given that they were only promoted last season, but the fact that Edge were finally triumphant in this game shouldn’t detract from the fact that Urmston are likely to be a significant factor in the league this season.
Urmston batted first and there was no hint of things to come with the visitors at 53 without loss and looking likely to clock up a sizeable score. There was then a batting collapse of monumental proportions as they subsided to 59 for 5, mainly thanks to some devastating swing bowling from Edge Captain Jason Whittaker.
In the end the visitors were all out for just 137 in only 35 overs with Edge using just two bowlers, Whittaker plus Richard Wilkinson as they relied on pace and swing to dismiss Urmston. Whittaker had a final magnificent analysis of 18 overs, 3 maidens 8 for 60, with Wilkinson claiming the other two Urmston wickets to fall in a marathon spell of 17 overs. This left Edge as overwhelming favourites with a target of just 138 with 75 overs available.
It looked all too easy for Edge at 104 for the loss of only one wicket in their reply but the home side suffered a similar collapse to their visitors in the face of some probing spin bowling from Khan and Grindley. Edge left-hander Alan Day scored 48, and Wilkinson completed an excellent all-round spell with 53, and they were the main contributors to the home side’s total. It was eventually left to debutants Ethan Harding and Tom Pettini to get Edge over the line with three wickets in hand for a hard-fought victory.
This was a difficult result to interpret in terms of the impact these two teams will have in the Premier League title race with the ball dominating the bat as much as it did on Saturday. Edge face a daunting trip to Champions and league leaders Oulton Park this Saturday in what is sure to be a severe test of their title aspirations.
Final score: Urmston 137 all out, Alderley Edge 139 for 7, Alderley Edge won by 3 wickets.
