Cricket: Season ends on a high

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Alderley Edge’s final Cheshire Premier League game of the season saw them trounce visiting Chester as well as securing a very creditable fourth place in the table, the same position they finished in 2009.

Chester won the toss and decided to bat first in a rain affected game that was initially reduced to 102 overs. The visitors were all at sea as Edge opening bowlers Jason Whittaker and Richard Wilkinson tore in to the fragile Chester batting. Whittaker finished the day with 7 for 29, and Wilkinson 3 for 24, with the away side skittled out for just 55. Whittaker finished the season with a magnificent 77 wickets in all competitions and in second place in the Cheshire Premier League bowling averages.

When Edge batted, Paul Manton was promoted up the order to open with Alan Day as Alderley set about bringing an early finish to proceedings with a lot of rain still about. Manton scored a quick-fire 30 and Alan Day 21 not out as Edge eased home in just 11 overs to record a very satisfying 25-point victory.

Edge’s Richard Wilkinson scored over 1,000 league runs and finished second in the Cheshire Premier League averages, with Adam Worrall recording the best wicket-keeping statistics in the League. It was a very satisfactory fourth place finish for Alderley with the highlight of the season undoubtedly last week’s successful defence of the Cheshire Cup.

Nantwich won the Premier League title for the first time just pipping Hyde to the title after the latter were foiled by rain at nearby Bramhall late on Saturday evening. After their early finish at Moss Lane most of the Alderley first team were able to make the short trip to Church Lane to watch the final act of the 22-week championship title race. Bowdon’s shock relegation with two Lancashire players on their books, after finishing runners-up last season and for the first time in their history, was the stand out feature of the league season.

Edge had a brilliant year with only 5 defeats in 34 games in four different competitions, and look forward to more success in 201, whilst acknowledging they need to recruit more senior players to provide competition for places and to boost numbers playing in their second team.

Alderley Edge cricket report Cheshire County Premier League Chester Boughton Hall 55 all out Alderley Edge 56-1 Alderley Edge won by 9 wickets.

Tags:
AECC, Alderley Edge Cricket Club, Cricket
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