Rampant Wragg Helps Jets to Three Wins from Four

The Jets are still in search of a first perfect weekend of the season as they had to settle for three senior wins as the lower grades again starred. A couple of career-best efforts with bat and ball were the individual highlights as the 2ndXI completed a rapid run chase and the 3rdXI skipper again led by example. 

1stXI v Cheadle Hulme

The 1stXI were undone by a fine spell of bowling from opposition paceman Nauman Akram (5-13) as Cheadle Hulme inflicted a second league loss of the season. The former Pakistan U19 representative was in irresistible form and it prevented the Jets cashing in on a disciplined performance in the field that limited the visitors to just 144-8 from their 40 overs.

That was a big improvement from last week as the 1stXI controlled matters in the field and at one stage took five wickets for just nine runs as they applied the pressure in the middle overs. Andy Heath (3-25) was the pick with two LBWs and a third scalp sharply caught by a diving Jake Reynolds in the covers.

Sadly though the chase never got started against the league’s best new-ball attack in a period that the 1stXI needed to tough out. Will Ritchie (28) scored freely against the change bowling but this was limited to cameo status as the Jets were bundled out for a disappointing 64 having again fallen short of the standard required in a key period of the game.

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Mellor v 2ndXI

A career-best batting performance from Matt Wragg was the highlight for the 2ndXI as Alex Dyson’s men continued their 100% start to the season that sees them in a three-way split atop the division. The pinch-hitter needed just forty deliveries to amass his 71* and quickly confirm a win that appeared inevitable once the Jets’ spinners had again controlled things with the ball after winning the toss.

Jimmy Williams (5-17) and Adam Burgess (3-41) combined to dismiss Mellor for 105, the majority of which came from the bat of Aftab Ahmed. The opener’s 47 was eventually ended by Williams and, with no other major scores on the card, the only question was how long the batsmen would require to secure the points in reply.

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Haslington v 3rdXI

A long trip to Haslington was worth the effort as Owen Johnson again led from the front for his 3rdXI side. The off-spinner took 6-21 in the second dig to complete a family affair as twin Luke continued to swell his batting average with an unbeaten 46*. He has now been dismissed only once in his four league outings and helped post a challenging 153-9 on a slow wicket and large outfield.

Those conditions proved perfect for the skipper’s bag of tricks which soon put the breaks on the Squirrels. The home side made a positive start against the new ball attack in reaching 53-0 but that soon became 58-6 with Johnson and Jack Parkey (2-8) running amok. Chris Williams (2-21) helped mop up the tail as Haslington were all out for 93 as the 3s position themselves to chase down leaders Over Peover.

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4thXI v Woodley

A patient half-century from Chester Bowdon helped the 4thXI to a second league win of the season on Sunday in their 30 over contest with Woodley. Last year’s leading run-getter contributed his first meaningful score of 2020 with a well-crafted 61 as he and fellow opener Dan Mullany (23) helped set a platform for a three-figure score.

All seven bowlers then pleasingly chipped in with single wickets apiece to hold Woodley at bay. Some late hitting did take the visitors to 101-7 but the Jets controlled the innings with Jack Chignall (1-8) and Fran Turnbull (1-9) the most economical of the attack. 

Scorecard