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Cheshire County Cricket League

2015 NEWSLETTER: WEEK 22 – SEPTEMBER 12

All is settled on memorable

last – and very wet - day

RAIN threatened to spoil the last day of the League’s 2015 campaign, but the players and clubs responded by staging a series of thrilling games to settle all three divisional titles and the two remaining relegation issues.

The upshot is that Hyde won at Cheadle to ensure the retention of the ECB Premier League title with Nantwich rising up the ranks to finish as meritorious runner-up, thanks to another amazing century by Lancashire star Liam Livingstone.

Spare a thought, too for fifth-placed Chester Boughton Hall who created a Premier League record 400-4 at the expense of Grappenhall, relegated along with Marple who failed to win at Toft.

In Division One, Timperley clinched the title and promotion to the Premiership for the first time with a tight victory at Dane Road which dashed Sale’s hopes. That second promotion spot went to Urmston, who staged a magnificent run chase – including 19 off the last over and a six of the final ball - to beat Weaverham before a big crowd at the UCG. Christleton’s defeat at Tattenhall means they will go down alongside Middlewich.

In Division Two, long-time leaders Bollington were foiled by bad light and had to be content with just 10 points at home to Mobberley which enabled Warrington – victors over Northwich – to draw level on points and snatch the title on the number of victories recorded.

Hyde title retained

Back in Premier League, Hyde needed just three points at Cheadle to retain the title, but went on to win by four wickets after dismissing their hosts for 108, Dan Brown 37, Jason Whittaker 5-60, Dan Woods 3-23. They replied with 112-6, Chris Tipper 28 not out to chalk up their ninth victory in the last 10 games and 15th overall – one more than in 2014. Cheadle’s considerable consolation is to stay up after propping up the table at the half-way stage.

Nantwich leap up from eighth place last season to finish second, 24 points behind the champions with Liam Livingstone again showing his wonderful talent with century number four in a 43-runs home win over Macclesfield. He contributed 105 off 55 balls to his side’s tally of 205, hitting 88 in boundaries (10 x 4s and 8 x 6s). This, despite fine bowling by Macclesfield’s John Birchall who took 7-28. Macc were dismissed for 182, Jimmy Warrington returning a superb 6-81.

Long-time leaders and first-time title favourites Toft have to be content with third place after a rain-ruined draw at Marple which sealed their hosts’ relegation fate. In a rain-affected game, Toft totalled 141-8, and Marple got to 121-8 in the 18 overs left to them, Elliot Young 42, Jimmy Lomas 5-41.

Marple go down because Bramhall won their second game in a row, by an impressive seven wickets margin at Neston. The Wirral men posted 207-8, Dom Smith 65, Simon Stokes 54, the admirable Simon Wilkinson 6-55. In Bramhall’s reply of 208-3, Matt Hughes, 80 and Nick Cantello, 59 opened up with a century-plus stand and Dan Lamb’s 42 not out then steered his side home

More about Chester’s manmmoth 400-4 against Grappenhall at Filkins Lane. This was not only record tally for a Premiership game but has only once been bettered in the League by Didsbury who scored 423-0 in a 2nd XI game against Marple in 1999.

Warren Goodwin was the day’s top batsmen with 139, putting on 224 for the first wicket with Mark Rowland (83) after which Ollie Law (99) went on to add 143 for the third wicket with Alex Money, 64 not out. Among the Grappers bowlers who took a battering was Sam Guest with figures of 22-4-136-2. Grappenhall reached a creditable 198-8 from 50 overs in reply, Warwick Abrahim 46, Jack Williams 5-56.

With so much rain about it was remarkable that only one game failed to start, Bowdon v Alderley Edge sharing 14 points which earns them both a top-half final placing.

WEEK 22 NEWSLETTER: p2

Tension at Sale and Urmston

INTEREST in the First Division promotion race was maintained until the last ball of the season with the drama centred at Sale and Urmston.

Timperley began the day 23 points clear of their hosts, second-placed Sale, and had clinched the title by tea time in a rain-shortened 66 overs game when League chairman David Humpage handed them the Foden Trophy …and with it a place in the Premier League for the first time in 2016. DTH had earlier handed the Premiership trophy to Hyde and went on to do the same for Second Division winners Warrington.

Timperley posted a modest 131-6, Mike Ness 39, Craig Grindley 33, star turn Tyrone Lawrence 4-68. Timperley were without fast bowler Jack White, who was taken to hospital after being struck on the head by a ball in pre-match practice. But Chris Page continued his season-long success with 4-34 and Ian Grindley 4-40 as Sale were made to struggle. A last-wicket stand between Alisdair Barrowman, 33 and Rick Halkon, 26 took them to 119 when the partnership ended and Timperley had won by 12 runs.

Last ball six

All the time, news was filtering through of Urmston’s bid for victory over Weaverham at the UCG which would earn them the second promotion spot, if successful. Weaverham made it tough by posting 199-9 from their share of the 78 overs on offer, Wilden Corwall 63, Kyle Clarke 53, England Under 19s Matt Parkinson 5-117. Urmston made a mad dash for the runs, but lost wickets regularly (chiefly to Kevin Waterhouse 5-47). They eventually needed 44 of the last 22 balls and 19 off the final over. Zeeshan Assi and 17 year-old James Espley proved to be the heroes with a sequence of 6-1-3-2-4-6 in a closing tally of 202-9. A large and expectant crowd came spilling on to the ground to hail their heroes, Assi, 32 not out, Espley 11 not out. Quite a different picture to 12 months ago when the club were relegated.

Oulton Park earn fourth place after beating Didsbury by one wicket in another fine game (see page back story). Didsbury totalled 197, Nick Anderson 36 – taking him over 1,000 runs for the season - Elliott Ashwell 4-13 after which Park made it with their last pair together at 199-9, Martin East top-scoring with 62 and Nick James 60,

Christleton’s demotion was confirmed when they lost by 74 runs at Tattenhall, whose Kiwi Dan Power scored a fine 108 in a tally of 212-8, David Mumford 4-56. Christleton were all out for 138, Ben Paterson 47, David Shewring 3-39.

Middlewich lost their final game in the division by three wickets at Davenham after being bowled out for 180, Kris Clowes 50, Dan Hancock 5-47. Good knocks from Sam Hunt, 35, and Chris Hornby, 34 not out saw the Butcher;s Stilemen reply with 184-7, Steve Bliss 4-44.

Warrington pip Bolly for title by 15 wins to 14

WARRINGTON clinched the Second Division title in the last hour of a highly successful season, but only after finishing level on points with Bollington, who started the day leading by 15.

Unluckily for Bolly – relegated from the league two seasons ago – they were unable to take the last Mobberley wicket (81-9) after themselves posting 122. The umpires considered the light too bad to continue, which meant a division of points 10 – 7 in Bolly’s favour

At Walton Lea, meanwhile, Warrington beat Northwich by two wickets chasing 164 (Mark Walker 54) to reach 165-8 thanks to a key innings of 38 not out by Will Fleetwood. Both top teams thus wound up each with 415 points, Warrington taking the honour with 15 wins to Bolly’s 14, although both go up.

Irby’s first win

Irby’s last game before departing for the TACS League brought them their maiden win of the season (and first since August 23 last season). They dismissed Congleton for 148 (Colin Gibson 5-58) and replied with 150-5 (David Gulliver 41). Well done to them.

Bredbury St. Mark’s also go down, but finish 97 points ahead of Irby after winning by 20 runs at Stockport to record their fifth victory in the final seven games. They ran up 173-6, James Garner 58, then dismissed Stockport for 153, Gary Dickson 5-35.

Widnes finish fourth despite losing by one wicket at home to Brooklands. Widnes totalled 210, John Eccleshall 59 not out, A.J. Hart 4-31 and Brooklands crept home at 212-9, that man Hart 69 not out

Upton finished a respectable fifth despite being well beaten at home by Alvanley, who enjoyed a successful second half of the season. Alvanley totalled 185-8, Mike Rowlands 88, Si Gee 56, L Sundva 4-54 before Upton fell short at 115,

WEEK 22 NEWSLETTER: p3

Saturday’s final scorelines

ECB Premier League

BOWDON (7 pts.) v ALDERLEY EDGE (7 pts.: match cancelled

CHEADLE (won toss, 7 pts.) lost to HYDE (25 pts.) by 4 wickets:

Cheadle 105 (32 overs: D. Brown 37, H Nicholson 31, J Whittaker 5-60, D Woods 3-23);

Hyde 112-6 (26 overs: C Tipper 28no).

Originally a 64 overs game

CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL (won toss, 13 pts.) drew with GRAPPENHALL (7 pts.): abandoned as draw.

Chester 400-4 (55 overs – league 1st XI record total: W Goodwin 136, O Law 99, M Rowland 83, A Money 64no);

Grappenhall 198-8 (50 overs: W Abrahim 46, A. Roylance 41, J. Williams 5-56).

MARPLE (toss, 7 pts.) drew with TOFT (13 pts.)

Toft 141-6 (32 overs: J Dickinson 42, S. Harbinson 3-93);

Marple 121-8 (18 overs: E. Young 42, J Lomas 5-41).

Originally a 66 overs game

NANTWICH (won toss, 25 pts.) beat MACCLESFI ELD (6 pts.) by 43 runs

Nantwich 205 (33 overs: L Livingstone 105, R Doyle 33, J. Birchall 7-28).

Macclesfield 162 (40 overs: W Smith 37, J. Warrington 6-81).

NESTON (7 pts.) lost to BRAMHALL (won toss, 25 pts.) by 7 wickets:

Neston 207-8 (54 overs: D. Smith 65, S. Stokes 54, S Wilkinson 6-55);

Bramhall 208-3 (52 overs: M Hughes 80, N Cantello 59, D. Lamb 42no).

Division 1

DAVENHAM (25 pts.) beat MIDDLEWICH (won toss, 9 pts.) by 3 wickets:

Middlewich 180 (38 overs: K. Clowes 50, N Gill 32, D. Hancock 5-47);

Davenham 185-7 (45 overs: S Hunt 35, C. Hornby 34no, S Bliss 4-44, Lea Du Toit 3-58).

OULTON PARK (won toss, 25 pts.) beat DIDSBURY 10 pts.) by 1 wicket:

Didsbury 197 (48 overs: N. Anderson 36, J Beal 35, E Ashwell 4-13, G Emnmett 3-67);

Oulton Park 199-9 (40 overs: M East 62, N James 60).

SALE (7 pts.) lost to TIMPERLEY (won toss, 25 pts.) by 12 runs:

Timperley 131-7 (33 overs: M Ness 39, C Grindley 33, T Lawrence 4-68);

Sale 119 (32 overs: A Barrowman 33, C Page 4-34, I Grindley 4-40).

This was a 66 overs match.

TATTENHALL (25 pts.) beat CHRISTLETON (won toss, 4 pts.) by 74 runs:

Tattenhall 212-8 (50 overs: D Power 108, O. Williamson 30, D Mumford 4-56);

Christleton 138 (36 overs: B. Paterson 47, D Shewring 3-39).

URMSTON (won toss, 25 pts.) beat WEAVERHAM (12 pts.) by 1 wicket

Weaverham 197-9 (39 overs: W Cornwall 63, K. Clarke 53, M. Parkinson 5-117, C. Parkinson 3-56);

Urmston 202-9 (39 overs: L Jackson 42, C. Turner 39, Z. Assi 32no, K. Waterhouse 5-47).

This was an 78 overs game.

CHEADLE HULME v OXTON was brought forward to Bank Holiday Monday and was cancelled due to rain: 7 pts. each

WEEK 22 NEWSLETTER: p4

Division 2

BOLLINGTON (7 pts.) drew with MOBBERLEY (7 pts.): match abandoned

Bollington 122 (35 overs: M. Jehangir 43, C Nield 5-41, A. Aqeel 4-51);

Mobberley 81-9 (35 overs: N Wood 30no, H Imran 3-10, S. Plant 3-18).

This was originally a 74 overs game

IRBY (25 pts.) beat CONGLETON (won toss, 6 pts.) by 5 wickets:

Congleton 148 (50 overs: C. Gibson 5-58);

Irby 150-5 (43 overs: D Gulliver 41).

STOCKPORT (won toss, 4 pts.) lost to BREDBURY ST. MARK’S (25 pts.) by 20 runs

Bredbury 173-6 (45 overs: J Garner 58, R Keyworth 48, M. Green 3-53);

Stockport 153 (43 overs: G Barber 35, S. Edwards 33, G Dickson 5-35).

UPTON (won toss, 4 pts.) lost to ALVANLEY (25 pts.) by 70 runs:

Alvanley 185-8 (50 overs: M Rowlands 88, S Gee 56, L Sundve 4-54, D Williams 3-36);

Upton 115 (37 overs: R. Cowderoy 33). Upton had no scorer.

WARRINGTON (25 pts.) beat NORTHWICH (won toss, 7 pts.) by 2 wickets:

Northwich 164 (43 overs: M. Walker 54, S Stoneley 42);

Warrington 165-8 (50 overs: W. Fleetwood 38no, M. Walker 3-31).

WIDNES (12 pts.) lost to BROOKLANDS (won toss, 25 pts.) by 1 wicket:

Widnes 210 (42 overs: J Eccleshall 59no, A. Hewitt 46, LMcCoy 37, A.J. Hart 4-31);

Brooklands 212-9 (54 overs: AJ Hart 69no, A. Edwards 46, C. Campbell 3-28).

A GROUSE ………

WORK on production of this 22nd weekly Newsletter was badly disrupted over the week-end by five clubs failing to post match details on the website by 10 p.m. on Saturday and several still failing to do so in full on Sunday. This resulted in umpires having to be contacted to supply missing information, especially in cases of matches with reduced overs which has a direct influence on the number of points to be allocated. It also became difficult to produce definitive final tables.

Not good enough, ladies and gentlemen – I would have expected better

PICK of WEEK and SEASON ….

PREMIER LEAGUE batting: Warren Goodwin (Chester) 136 v Grappenhall

Bowling: John Birchall (Macclesfield) 7-28 v Nantwich

FIRST DIVISION batting: Dan Power (Tattenhall) 108 v Christleton

Bowling: Elliott Ashwell (Oulton Park) 4-13 v Didsbury

SECOND DIVISION batting: Mike Rowlands (Alvanley) 88 v Upton

Bowling: oCharlie Nield (Mobberley) 5-41 v Bollington

o o o o

THE following were the leading divisional run scorers and wicket-takers up including the final games on Saturday:

Premier League batting: ROB JONES (Toft) 1,025 runs

Bowling: DAN WOODS (Hyde) 72 wickets

First Division batting: NICK ANDERSON (Didsbury) 1,003 runs

Bowling: MATT PARKINSON (Urmston) 68 wickets

Second Division batting: RICK HOUGH (Bollington) 855 runs

Bowling ABDUL AQEEL (Mobberley) 78 wickets

WEEK 22 NEWSLETTER: p5

Saturday, September 5 ground marks

ECB PREMIER

Alderley Edge v Marple pitch 15; outfield 19

Bowdon v Cheadle: 14 – 20; sheet received late; result not posted on website Saturday pm

Bramhall v Nantwich: 16 – 19;

Macclesfield v Hyde Late sheet. Hyde gained 6 points, not 5 as reported

Toft v Chester 14 – 18. Toft gained 8 points, not 6 as reported

Neston v Grappenhall 17 – 20. This was Grappenhall’s home fixture, played at Neston.

DIVISION ONE

Christleton v Cheadle Hume: pitch 19; outfield 19

Didsbury v Tattenhall: Late sheet

Oxton v Middlewich: 18 – 20;

Timperley v Oulton Park: 16 - 19

Urmston v Davenham: 17 – 20;

Weaverham v Sale: Late sheet

DIVISION TWO

Bredbury St. Mark’s v Alvanley: pitch 16; outfield 18

Brooklands v Bollington: 16 – 17;

Congleton v Stockport: 14 – 18

Mobberley v Warrington : 16 – 19.

Northwich v Irby: 17 – 19;

Widnes v Upton: 15 - 19

CAPTAINS’ REPORTS

Missing captains’ umpires marks for Saturday, September 5 (six clubs):

Chester, Macclesfield, Christleton, Didsbury, Tattenhall, Weaverham.

In brief …..

LATEST issue of Macclesfield’s Newsletter edited by chairman Simon Griffiths reports that 100 players from eight teams contested the Under 8s Festival when it was resumed after rain on an earlier date. Taking part were Ashley, Bredbury, Brooklands, Poynton, Prestbury and Sandbach, plus Macclesfield’s Silks and Lions The four group winners were Brooklands, Presubury and the Macclesfield duo.

A farewell party has been held for popular Aussie star Nick Bertus, which involved a slap-up meal at the town’s Shalimar Restaurant.

First XI all-rounder John Birchall held his wedding reception in the club pavilion after tying the knot with Zoe.

O NANTWICH’s Lancashire contracted batsman Liam Livingstone played as substitute professional for Monton & Weaste in the Central Lancashire League on Sunday.

O CHESHIRE will meet Surrey in the final of the Seevent Over Sixties 2nd XI championship on Thursday this week on a midlands ground yet to be notified.

O THE League Cricket Conference’s Autumn meeting on September 26 will take the form of an executive meeting designed solely to appoint a successor to long-serving Neil Edwards, who died suddenly in August. Next meeting for member leagues will be in December.

O THE season just closing was not a memorable one for Liam Parkinson as captain of relegated Grappenhall.

However, he had more success keeping wicket for Cumberland when they won the Unicorns Eastern division title. They went on to beat Oxfordshire by 10 wickets in the inter-divisional play-off at Carlisle when he took two catches, made two stumpings and scored 24 runs.

WEEK 22 NEWSLETTER p6

FINAL LEAGUE TABLES: all played 22 games

(2014 placings in parenthesis)

ECB Premier League W T WD RD LD A/C L Bat Bowl Pts.

(25) (16) (3) (2) (1) (7)

1. HYDE (1) 15 0 0 0 0 2 5 9 15 413 ch

2. NANTWICH (8) 13 0 1 1 0 1 6 35 17 389

3. TOFT (3) 12 1 0 2 1 1 5 31 19 378

4. ALDERLEY EDGE (6) 10 0 1 2 0 4 5 47 20 352

5. CHE$TER BO. HALL (2) 9 0 2 4 0 2 5 61 35 349

6. BOWDON (10) 8 0 0 0 2 4 8 27 19 276

7. MACCLESFIELD ( - ) 6 0 3 1 1 3 8 60 29 272

8. CHEADLE ( - ) 7 1 0 0 1 2 11 29 14 256

9. BRAMHALL (4) 6 0 1 0 1 2 12 58 30 256

10. NESTON (5) 7 0 1 1 1 1 11 44 21 253

11. MARPLE (9) 5 0 1 2 2 1 11 56 34 231 rel

12. GRAPPENHALL (7) 2 0 1 1 2 3 13 59 37 174 rel

Division 1 W T WD RD LD A/C L Bat Bowl Pts.

1. TIMPERLEY (6) 12 0 3 1 1 1 4 49 29 397 champ

2. URMSTON ( - ) 12 0 1 0 0 1 8 31 23 364 prom

3. SALE (4) 10 0 5 0 1 2 4 47 22 356

4. OULTON PARK (5) 10 1 0 0 2 3 6 38 20 347

5. WEAVERHAM ( - ) 10 0 1 0 1 2 8 41 26 335

6. OXTON ( - ) 9 0 2 1 2 2 6 48 24 321

7. DAVENHAM (8) 9 0 0 0 1 1 11 25 129 287

8. DIDSBURY (3) 5 0 5 0 0 1 11 90 44 281

9. TATTENHALL ( - ) 8 0 0 0 5 2 7 28 33 280

10. CHEADLE HULME (7) 6 0 1 2 1 4 8 42 30 258

11. CHRISTLETON (10) 6 0 2 1 1 1 11 41 28 235 rel

12. MIDDLEWICH (9) 2 0 0 0 3 2 15 45 33 145 rel

Division 2 W T WD RD LD A/C L Bat Bowl Pts.

1. WARRINGTON (5) 15 0 0 1 3 1 2 14 14 415 champ

2. BOLLINGTON ( - ) 14 0 1 2 1 0 4 35 22 415 prom

3. MOBBERLEY ( - ) 12 0 0 1 1 2 6 27 17 361

4. WIDNES ( - ) 10 0 3 0 1 1 7 56 35 358

5. UPTON (6) 9 0 3 2 0 2 6 50 33 335

6. BROOKLANDS (- ) 9 0 1 1 0 1 10 46 36 320

7. NORTHWICH (9) 9 0 0 0 1 2 10 38 27 305

8. ALVANLEY (4) 7 1 2 0 2 1 9 51 32 289

9. STOCKPORT (3) 6 0 1 4 0 1 10 62 36 273

10. CONGLETON (7) 7 1 0 0 1 2 11 39 26 271

11. BREDBURY ST. MK. (8) 6 0 0 0 3 0 13 41 32 233 rel

12. IRBY (10) 1 0 2 1 0 1 17 54 42 136 rel

wtb

WEEK 22 NEWSLETTER p7

2015 UPS & DOWNS ………

ECB Premier League champions: HYDE

Runners-up: NANTWICH

Relegated: GRAPPENHALL & MARPLE

Division 1 champions and promoted: TIMPERLEY

Runners-up and promoted: URMSTON

Relegated: MIDDLEWICH & CHRISTLETON

Division 2 champions and promoted: WARRINGTON

Runners-up and promoted: BOLLINGTON

Relegated to TACS Cheshire League: IRBY & BREDBURY ST. MARK’S

Promoted from TACS Cheshire League: BARROW & LINDOW

Joseph Holt Brewery T20 champions: CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL (retained)

Runners-up: TOFT

ECB National T20 Area and Regional winners & National

semi-finalists: CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL

Over Forties group winners: TOFT (Central); SALE SILVERBACKS (North-East); MARPLE (South-East); NESTON (West)

Play-off winners: NESTON

Cheshire Cup-winners:

(for record 4th successive season) CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL

Cheshire Shield winners: BOLLINGTON

Defeated finalists: TIMPERLEY

Aggregate champions: YET TO BE DECIDED (see below)

National Club championship

quarter-finalists: BOWDON

Aggregate championship

(1st & 2nd XI points combined; Top 12 inc. September 5)

1= Nantwich & Timperley 764; 3. Chester 753; 4. Hyde 719; 5. Upton 711; 6. Widnes 689; 7. Weaverham 684; 8. Tattenhall 680; 9. Davenham 678; 10. Oulton Park 666; 11. Toft 653; 12. Alderley Edge 647.

WEEK 22 NEWSLETTER: p8

Barrow and Lindow earn TACS promotion

BARROW beat Ashton on Mersey by five wickets to top the TACS Partnership Cheshire League First Division final table. They deposed Lindow, whose game at Stockport Georgians was rained-off.

With Ashton on Mersey not having taken forward a reported protest about an alleged ineligible player, Barrow and Lindow will be promoted to the County League in 2016 replacing Bredbury St. Mark’s and Irby, who drop down.

The top two teams in the TACS 2nd XI Division A who will join the new combined County League 2nd XI set-up are Lindow, who topped the table with 413 points and Ashton on Mersey, 406. Heaton Mersey were third with 394 points.

DIVISION 1 RESULTS

Ashton on Mersey 219-6 lost to Barrow 220-5; Heaton Mersey v Hale Barns cancelled; Prestbury 66 lost to Poynton 131-5; Romiley 157 lost to Disley 158-4; Runcorn 103-1 beat Malpas 99; Stockport Georgians v Lindow cancelled.

FINAL TABLE

P W T D AB L Pts.

1. BARROW 22 16 0 4 0 2 455 champions

2. LINDOW 22 15 1 0 2 4 444 promoted

3. ASHTON on MERSEY 22 9 1 4 1 7 379

4 DISLEY 22 9 1 5 1 6 343

5 STOCKPORT GEORGIANS 22 10 0 4 1 7 342

6 ROMILEY 22 9 1 3 0 9 339

7 RUNCORN 22 10 0 3 0 9 335

8 HALE BARNS 22 6 1 4 2 9 314

9 POYNTON 22 8 1 3 2 8 311

10 HEATON MERSEY 22 7 0 6 1 8 285

11 PRESTBURY 22 2 0 2 0 18 179 relegated

12 MALPAS 22 2 0 4 0 16 153 relegated

Division 2 champions and promoted: Lymm Oughtrington Park and Barnton.

Relegated: Bunbury and Chester County Officers.

Division 3 champions and promoted: Port Sunlight and Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge.

Relegated to Cheshire Alliance: Cholmondeley and Winsford.

500th – AND LAST - CLUB GAME FOR GARY DIXON

UPTON’s Gary Dixon played his 500th and last 1st XI game for Upton at home to Alvanley on Saturday. He plans to restrict his cricket to playing for Cheshire Over 50s next summer (if selected) and to watching his talented sons Lee and Ross play for Chester Boughton Hall.

The only Upton cricketer to have played more 1st XI games is Brian Shenton, with 503.

Gary has been busy indulging in his other favourite sport of marathon running, a recent one at Wolverhampton being his 22nd of the year while the annual event at Chester on October 6 will be his 100th.

…MIKE NEWMAN ALSO CALLS IT A DAY

IRBY stalwart Mike Newman has also called it a day after 40 years’ 1st XI service starting in 1975, interrupted by one season at Birkenhead Park.

Mike broke the Merseyside Competition batting record in 1996 when he scored 1,491 runs and went on to lead the club when they won the Meller Braggins Cheshire League title in 2000 which qualified them for promotion to the County League.

The club treasurer, Mike plans to continue his close association with Irby apart from playing for the Over Forties team. His son, Mark, is expected to take over the club captaincy in the TACS Cheshire League

WEEK 22 NEWSLETTER: p9

Tony Morris given memorable send off

UMPIRING his last game after 28 years on the League panel – as reported in last week’s Newsletter - Tony Morris was given a right royal send-off when he stood in the Oulton Park v Didsbury match at Little Budworth on Saturday Tony writes:

“I would like to thank Pat Roberts and Nick Anderson, the respective captains and their teams for giving me a memorable day on Saturday. The sporting game was fought tooth and nail and at the end, I was applauded off the field through a guard of honour which was very emotional and will remain with me forever. My thanks are also due to Oulton’s Su Ramsbottom and club members for making me so welcome, including a 76th birthday cake. Finally, my thanks to old friend and colleague of 45 years, Ken Rothwell, who stood in the match with me.

Together they made it a wonderful – if sad – occasion” , adds Tony.

UMPIRES QUIZ: by Alistair Davies

LAST WEEK: The umpires consider that the light is unreasonable and could be dangerous, so decide to suspend play. The batsmen at the crease ask if play can continue. What should be the umpires’ response?

ANSWER: As soon as booth umpires agree that the light conditions are dangerous and unreasonable, play must be suspended. Play will only be resumed when both umpires are satisfied that the light conditions are no longer dangerous. The answer to the question, therefore, is that the batsmen’s request should be refused.

THIS WEEK: A player has bowled the last over but one before a drinks break. During that interval, he practices bowling on an adjoining pitch with another player fielding the ball. On the recommencement of the game, he prepares himself to bowl the next over. Should the umpire take any action?

The answer will be in the October Dinner issue

o

THE Autumn edition of his Cheshire ECB ACO Members Newsletter has been produced by Alistair Davies. It contains many interesting items and articles about the noble art as swell as details of winter courses etc.

He may send you a copy if asked: contact Alistair61@

o

THE League Umpires & Scorers Association stage their end-of-season meeting at Sale on Wednesday, September 16 at 8 p.m. There will be no refreshments as it is planned to hold the annual hot pot at the November meeting

Player of Year votes coming in

BALLOT papers have gone out to all 36 full member clubs inviting 1st XI players to cast their votes for the three divisional Players of the Year.

Voting is for UK-based players only and forms should be returned to Competition Secretary Mike Talbot-Butler ASAP. If your club’s form has not been received, please contact MTB. Eleven returned up to Monday am: Alvanley, Bramhall, Chester Boughton Hall, Congleton, Davenham, Grappenhall, Marple, Oulton Park, Sale, Tattenhall and Timperley. Keep them coming!

KEY DINNER DETAILS

THE League’s 41st annual Presentation Dinner is at The Mere on Friday, October 2 when the guest speaker will be Simon Hughes, the ex-Middlesex, Durham and England fast bowler, now a well known author and broadcaster. Also on the bill is top-line comedian Brendan Healey. Prices have been held at £30 with a £2 reduction for under 18s.

Clubs have been sent notice-board display posters and are being asked to make sure they notify the exact numbers attending to co-ordinator Gary Dixon by the latest date of Saturday, September 26.

His contact details are: E-mail - garydixonuk@. Text and mobile - 07779 152 666

NEXT ISSUE: DINNER SPECIAL: MONDAY, OCTOBER 5

Mike.t-b@ Monday, September 14

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