Cricket: Edge in draw with league leaders

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A crunch game at the top of the ECB Cheshire Premier league between first and second at Moss Lane last Saturday resulted in an entertaining draw that leaves Alderley Edge as the only unbeaten team in the three divisions of the County League with 8 games played in a season of 22 matches.

Neston batted first and one of the main reasons they are hot favourites to win the league was immediately in evidence, with the commanding form of Neston captain Jack Smith, who last season set a premier league batting record for most runs in a season.

Whilst Edge had some success in taking a couple of early wickets, Smith and Sam McPherson put on 103 for the third wicket with Smith eventually making 94 and McPherson 82, and the visitors were able to declare on an impressive 253 for 5 at half-way. Edge’s best bowlers were captain Jason Whittaker taking 2 for 69 and spinner Alan Day, 2 for 38 with three victims for wicket-keeper Adam Worrall.

Edge started with some confidence after tea against the team with the best bowling record in the league with both pace bowlers amongst the top four wicket takers so far this season. However, an opening stand of 95 between Mark Currie and Alan Day put Edge in a good position to claim an important win, but a steady loss of wickets from the Edge middle order meant that much was resting on the shoulders of the in-form Richard Wilkinson.

Wilkinson made a great attempt to give Edge the victory they needed but when he was out for a superb 82, the home side settled for an honourable draw with Neston shading the draw points with 16 to Edge’s 10.

Final Score Cheshire County Cricket Premier League: Neston 253-5 Alderley Edge 225-8 Draw.

The following day Edge had a fantastic win in the National Knock-out at Lullington Park in the dramatic scenery of the Derbyshire dales. Lullington were restricted to 181, mainly due to some inspired bowling from Jason Whittaker, who took four wickets. Edge then strolled to victory with good knocks from Adam Worrall, Richard Wilkinson and Alan Day.

Next Saturday Edge are at erratic Hyde who can beat anybody on their day but Edge need a victory to try to keep up with runaway Premier League leaders Neston.

Tags:
AECC, Alderley Edge Cricket Club, Cricket
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