Alderley Edge’s title hopes ended last Saturday when they were unable to beat Neston in a game they had to win to maintain their chances of lifting the Cheshire County Premier league for a second time in three years.
Having travelled to the Wirral and on a damp track, Edge got put in to bat and for the second week running found themselves reeling at 2 for 2. However Edge number three, Richard Wilkinson has displayed remarkably consistent form this season with the bat and he has failed to register a decent score in only a couple of games in the entire season. He was just as effective here, digging in to grind out 49 runs in 138 balls and build a respectable total for the visitors.
Keeper Adam Worrall contributed a very useful 37, and skipper Jason Whittaker a classy 45, as Edge tried to build a total they could defend. Alderley were obliged to go the full distance of 60 overs and with an aggressive 26 from 32 balls from number six, Adam Wildig, they eventually posted a total of 180 for 5. At tea the contest looked fairly evenly poised with the home side having only 50 overs to get the required runs.
At 72 for 6 Neston’s reply looked like it was going to fall well short of the target and Edge could have expected to wrap up a vital victory. Neston number seven, Sam MacPherson and captain Andy Roberts then put on 93 for the seventh wicket and set up a an unlikely home victory. MacPherson was then trapped LBW by Edge skipper Jason Whittaker and Roberts was run out going for a suicidal second run with two overs left, as the game petered out to a draw as Neston finished seven runs short of an unlikely victory target with both sides claiming eight points.
Edge spinners Ethan Harding took three wickets and Charlie Reid two in probing spells of 12 overs each, although a draw could probably be said to have been a fair result overall. It now looks certain that Hyde, Nantwich or Oulton Park will win the league with just three games remaining.
Next week Edge are at home to title chasing Hyde on Saturday before they return to the Wirral to face Neston again on Sunday in the semi-final of the Cheshire Cup.
Final Score Cheshire County Premier League: Alderley Edge 180-5 Neston 174-8 Draw.
