Clean Sweep for Senior Sides

A superb weekend for the club saw a clean sweep for the senior mens league sides. This included a critical victory for the 2ndXI and fine performances across all teams, particularly from the batsmen and spinners.

Hawk Green v 1stXI

An outstanding display in the field saw the 1stXI defend 184 to take the points at Hawk Green, constricting the hosts to just 141-9 in reply. Teenage spinners Sam Waller (6-38) and Will Westerby (1-31) performed exceptionally to control the run rate against a powerful batting lineup who frequently post large scores, particularly on their home ground.

There was relief in the camp as the Jets won the toss on a day that looked tailor made for batting. A stand of 85 between Will Ritchie (50) and Sam Waller (45) formed the backbone of the 1stXI’s innings but both fell caught on the boundary when a dominant total required at least one of them to bat through to the close. 184 all out looked as if it would prevent any scoreboard pressure in the second innings, but a disciplined effort by the seamers kept Hawk Green behind the rate in the opening exchange

The required wickets hadn’t arrived but, from 91-1 with 15 overs remaining, the Jets were able to turn the screw and took their catches to dismiss the set batsmen Hampson and Littler. From there the two spinners twirled away and watched an increasingly frantic batting lineup offer up chances which were gleefully accepted as seven wickets fell for 30 runs. The result was an end to the game nobody could have foreseen at lunch as Hawk Green’s final pair blocked out the remaining overs.

2ndXI v Hawk Green

It was a crucial fixture at London Road as the 2ndXI welcomed the unbeaten league leaders to PSC. The 2ndXI pipped the visitors to the covid-impacted title in 2020 but an opening day loss and three abandonments have left the second string playing catchup this term. That meant this was a must-win fixture and the Jets delivered with a perfectly executed run chase from their teenage top order batsmen.

188 was the target to overhaul after stand-in skipper Jimmy Williams (4-28) ran through the visiting middle order. An opening stand of 51 set the tone before Saul Gould was dismissed for the first time in three games. It brought Sam Scragg to the crease after a rough trot with the bat but he and Chester Bowden played immaculately to form an unbroken stand of 138. It took twos home with two overs to spare with Bowden 85* (13x4, 0x6, 107b) and Scragg 63* (8x4, 0x6, 85b) to keep the 2ndXI well positioned for a promotion push.

Bowdon Vale v 3rdXI

After their recent batting troubles there was welcome news as the 3rdXI were also in the runs. Rory Caine carried on his form from the Cheshire Cricket Board District Week to top score with 45 from the top of the order and that solid start brought stability to allow others to flourish. Messrs Oswell, Wettasinghe, Johnson and Bajaj all chipped in with scores in the 20s, the latter hitting a first career maximum along the way. It left the in-form bowling attack licking their lips with 192-9 to defend.

The six-man attack all found success after tea, the use of Andy Hadfield’s (2-17) left-arm spin with the new ball continuing to prove successful. A direct-hit run out from fellow new-ball operator Chris Taylor helped matters to remove the obdurate presence of Williamson and with that the accuracy of the Jets attack proved too much. Eight home batsmen fell bowled or LBW, three cleaned up in a triple wicket-maiden for Luke Johnson (3-5) as the threes romped home by 120 runs.

4thXI v Cheadle

The clean sweep of Jets wins was confirmed as the 4thXI overcame a strong Cheadle side at London Road. An opening stand of 64 between the youth of Matt Mullany (39) and experience of Scott Parkinson (28) helped set up a team total of 179. The visitors spin armoury impressed, sharing all ten wickets after useful contributions from Rob Bowden (38), Damien Mullany (21) and Dan Mullany (16*).

Dan then added an early wicket to start the reply but strong batting from Reeves (42) and Wong (30) looked to be making light work of the chase on a fast PSC outfield. The introduction of Ed Parkinson put the breaks on though, dismissing both set batsmen as he continued his excellent start to the season with 3-20 from his 10 overs. It allowed the other change bowlers to chip in and a run out from Max Collins helped the Jets cause as they fought back strongly. Cheadle were eventually all out for 151 as the 4thXI jump to 2nd place in the league.