Alderley Edge First XI's recent good form in the Cheshire County Premier League continued on Saturday as they claimed a 67-run victory over league powerhouse Chester Boughton Hall who started the day second in the table.
Winning the toss, Alderley chose to bat first and reached 161-1 with Sam Perry hitting 73 from the opening berth to continue his purple patch with the bat putting on 135 for the second wicket with Subhaan Mahmood who carried on his own strong form with 63. Chester hit back through Rick Moore (2-36) and Josh Leach (2-62) following a brief rain break to reduce Alderley to 174-4 but quickfire contributions from Chris Sanders and Christian Smith in the middle order allowed Alderley to close on 216-8.
In the second innings Alderley's opening pair of Sanders and George Valentine were clinical with the new ball, Sanders taking 3-35 and Valentine 1-20 to put Alderley in the box seat and the hosts on 38-4, the dangerous Alex Money departing for 23 amidst the carnage.
Alderley's Aussie Saami Welsh claimed two wickets to keep the visitors' momentum until Andrew McFarlane (46) and opposition skipper Jack Williams (33) mounted a rescue mission to lift Chester up to 137-6 but once Perry claimed the wicket of McFarlane the end came quickly with Ollie Kenyon (2-8) and Liam Yahathugoda (1-38) mopping up the tail as Chester were bowled out for 149 in the 36th over for Alderley to claim a 20-point victory.
Alderley's Second XI made it two wins in a weekend as they completed a nail-biting 7-run win against Sale at Moss Lane. Winning the toss Sale choose to bowl first but found a hungry Alderley top order awaiting them who scored consistently throughout the innings beginning with 38 from opener Alan Day and a crucial 92 not out from number 4 Jon Steele, who shared in a fantastic 147-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Henry Stevinson who helped himself to a half-century to see Alderley through to 229-4 from their 50 overs.
Sale started positively in reply with a 48-run opening stand before contributions of 66 from number 3 Tom Smart and 36 from number 4 Mark Soans powered the visitors on to 189-5. But Alderley's attack held their nerve and with Alan Day taking 3-43 and Max Wilson bagging 2-59 the hosts took regular wickets to knock over Sale's middle order and leave the lower order with too much to do and unable to take the 15 runs needed off the last over as Alderley claimed a vital 20-point win.
Match report Andrew Windle.
