Airey Pushes 1stXI Claim with Unbeaten Century

A month into the season and we celebrated the first North East Cheshire centurion as Jack Airey wrote his name in the record books for the 2ndXI. Even at an early stage in the season they look champions elect, but batting concerns again raised their heads for the 1st and 3rdXIs as a pair of collapses consigned them to defeat.

1stXI v Kingsley

At London Road the 1stXI failed to take advantage of a good toss to win after reducing the visitors to 12-2. Kingsley survived and eventually prospered after what was always going to be a difficult first hour of play.

For the third time this season the Jets failed to take all ten opposition wickets and allowed a set batsman to progress to a half-century as Begg struck 64 before falling to debutant Jack Harland. Toby Carson (4-36) and Danny Williams (3-44) were the other wicket-takers but a final total of 160-8 was an opportunity missed.

There was still no sign of the carnage to come when the reply began serenely, Chris Williams (26) in particularly good touch as the scoreboard raced to 42-1. From there though a similar implosion to last week removed all positive momentum and again made a positive result unlikely. Danny Williams (46*) survived and prospered but, with limited support, was left stranded as the final wicket fell on 95.

Scorecard

Warrington v 2ndXI

Jack Airey pushed his case as a potential answer to the 1stXI’s batting woes, crashing an unbeaten 158* (18x4, 2x6, 130b) at Warrington. He guided the team from the loss of some early wickets to an impenetrable 236-5 by the close. Andy Heath supported with a fine 30* as Airey accelerated in the closing stages to his hundred and well beyond.

Airey then added to his day with a hat-trick of slip catches as a surgical bowling display quickly finished the job. Simon Hare (3-8), Lewis Wood (2-8) and Adam Burgess (2-14) helped dismiss the hosts for 43 as the 2ndXI hunt the promotions required to deliver a more competitive standard of cricket.

Scorecard

Lindow v 3rdXI

Luke Johnson (24) and Andy Hadfield (17) were the only two batsmen to make double figures as the 3rdXI succumbed for 70 having been inserted by Lindow. Rick Clegg (5-13) was the chief destroyer, finding the right length to extract the uneven bounce that saw seven batsmen fall bowled or LBW.

Chris Taylor and Andy Welsby both took 1-10 after tea but the home side cruised home as the North East bowling couldn’t replicate the efforts of Lindow.

Scorecard

Image: The sun finally shines on PSC to dry out the previous night's rainstorm.