It’s Mellor time as Leek skipper hits a century to claim win away at Hem Heath
STAFFORDSHIRE team-mates Liam Banks and Alex Mellor traded centuries in their clash – and it was the latter who was the happier after his Leek side won at Hem Heath.
Banks had stolen the show in the formative stages of the afternoon, however, as he made 100 in Hem Heath’s competitive 222-6.
The former Warwickshire man struck 12 fours and three sixes in his innings, sharing a fourthwicket stand of 96 with Callum Leese whose 44 continued his fine start to the season.
Mahaaz Ahmed and Asanka Alankara shared four of the wickets to fall.
In reply, Mellor once again proved to be the glue holding Leek’s innings together.
He hit 14 boundaries in his well-paced unbeaten 103 as Leek wrapped up an eight-wicket win with 10 balls remaining.
Alanakara (44no) was also in fine fettle as he helped Mellor to compile an unbroken partnership of 125 for the third wicket.
Porthill Park have an unblemished record after easily seeing off Cheadle at the Old County Ground.
The match had an intriguing sub-plot as brothers Matt and Andy Coxon lined up on opposite sides... and although the pair put in fine individual performances, it was Porthill Park’s Matt who secured the family bragging right.
Matt was at the forefront of the hosts’ batting effort, hitting 14 fours in his 60-ball 77, which formed the backbone of Porthill Park’s 223-7 from their allocation. Louis Allison (32) and 26 apiece from Tom Longworth and Jack Beech, guided Porthill Park to their impressive tally, despite the best efforts of Charlie Goldstraw (3-24) and James Sellers (3-42) to keep the run-rate in check.
Cheadle were restricted by some disciplined bowling in the early stages, and the pressure told as they tumbled to 36-4, which included the dismissal of star batsman Ali Khan – thanks to some sharp glovework by Josh Lowndes to execute a stumping off Craig Barker.
Matt Goodwin and Goldstraw made 14 each, but it was Andy Coxon who was the sole Moorlander flying the flag in the response.
He batted throughout the innings to finish on 76 not out as Cheadle drew stumps way adrift on 145-8.
Experienced seamer Barker grabbed 4-22, while Sri Lankan spinner Sachithra Perera took a couple of wickets.
Elworth’s impressive start to the season continued with a resounding victory over NSSCL Premier Division champions Meakins to leave them joint-top of the early table.
The Foxes had beaten Alsager in the Talbot Cup to commence their campaign, before picking up a fine success at Leek in their first league fixture.
And they made it a hat-trick of wins in all competitions this year by comfortably seeing off the title holders in Cheshire.
Elworth won the toss and elected to field – and soon had Meakins in deep trouble as half of their batsmen were back in the pavilion with just 38 runs on the board.
Sam Moores was the only toporder exponent to offer any serious resistance, although Simon Mugava (12) and Paul Byrne (11) did their best to keep him company to lead a revival.
However, when Moores was last out for 42, Meakins had been dismissed for a mere 105 as Elworth’s attack kept a tight grip on proceedings.
Ben Holt (3-16), Steve Morgan (3-17) and Beyers Swanepoel (327) all took three wickets to put the hosts in command.
Alex Banks and Ryan Sloan then made a dent in the target as they compiled a first-wicket stand of 46 in the run chase.
Sloan fell for 22 to left-arm spinner Byrne, who then quickly accounted for Joe Stephenson.
But they were the only successes for Meakins as Banks – captain for the day in the absence of Russ
Ballard – made an unbeaten 53, which featured eight fours.
Chris Regan struck 23 not out as Elworth completed an eightwicket win to leave them in a three-way tie at the top after the second weekend of league action.
Longton are also sitting pretty with two wins out of two after winning on their visit to Bagnall Norton.
Ed Jones’ visitors gave themselves firm foundations early in the contest as openers Tom Steele and Dan Ball put on 107 for the first wicket.
Ball fell for 22, which saw Longton then slip to 129-3 following the first-ball dismissal of Riki Wessels.
Steele, though, was in freeflowing form, top-scoring with 84 – hitting 11 fours and three sixes – as Longton eventually reached 252-7 from their 45 overs.
It wasn’t a one-man show, however, as Joe Abbotts (44), Tom Hope (26), Alex Coates (23) and Jones (22) all made valuable contributions to the cause.
Alex Graham was the pick of the home side’s attack, finishing with 3-40.
Bagnall Norton, who were playing their first match under new captain Greg Willott following Justin Mould’s decision to step down, were not daunted by the tough-looking target.
And it was Mould, free from the stresses and strains of the captaincy role, who led the charge after the interval.
Mould played majestically for his 109, which contained 15 fours and one six, and came off 131 balls.
Alex Graham (34) and Morgan Murray-williams (30) maintained home hopes, but as the run-rate climbed, Mould was dismissed in the closing stages.
That left Bagnall Norton’s spirited effort falling just short as they were limited to 236-8 at stumps.
Tom Hope (3-39) – who accounted for Mould – and double strikes from Coates and Richard Williams, ensured Longton maintained their 100 per cent record.
Burslem find themselves bottom of the early table after being thumped at home by Stone SP.
Burslem were skittled for just 123 at Festival Heights – despite Zen Malik making 46 – as EJ Laverty and Edmund Gaffney scooped 3-16 and 3-36 respectively.
Stone SP were given a flying start to their chase as George Hawbrook hit five fours in a quickfire 23.
He was bowled by Ash Shaw, but skipper Sam Graham (51no) and William Alsbury (35no) ensured there were no further losses as Stone SP romped past the post in 26 overs.
Moddershall & Oulton turned in an excellent performance to crush Checkley in their own back yard.
The Modd visitors made serene progress to 222-5 from their 45 overs on the back of halfcenturies from Sam Kelsall and Rizwan Hussain.
Kelsall contributed 79 and Hussain added 61, while there were a couple of wickets for Ben Haselgrave.
Checkley’s chase got off to the worst possible start as James Kettleborough fell first ball.
And that set the tone for the home side’s innings as they were eventually bowled out for 106.
Andy Carr made 22 up front, while James Cronie and James Cox both chipped in with 30.
Tom Spruce led the Moddershall & Oulton bowling effort with 5-25, aided along the way by Kelsall’s 3-20.