Sixths first win of year (by default!)

THE final round of North West Counties League fixtures last Thursday, ahead of this week’s half-term break from match action, saw 11 of the 13 men’s teams from our local clubs take to the courts.

A nice round dozen should have played, but Prestbury 6’s Fifth Division South trip to Alderley Park 5 was called off after the hosts could not raise a side – thereby handing the ‘Sixths’ (albeit by default!) their first victory of the campaign.

Of the 11 that actually were in action, five enjoyed victories - including both Division Two East representatives, who each triumphed 4-1.

Prestbury 1 inched up a place to fifth after seeing off Grove Park 2 at Bollin Grove, thanks to wins by Paul Lomas, Rob Alcock, Mike Lomas and Adam Colebatch.

And Bollington 1, in seventh, got back to winning ways against basement side City of Manchester 2 - with victories at SportCity for Christian Ogden, Chris Ogden Senior, Rick Walters and Brigg Simpson.

In Division Three South-East, Prestbury’s Second Team also won 4-1 and moved up to third place - courtesy of wins at Woolston 2 for Brian Lomas, Chris Dunkerley, junior player Jonny Murray (17) and Rick Bower.

But Bollington 2, who lost by the same scoreline at home to Hyde 2 despite a Third Division debut-victory for 14-year-old George Lomas, continue to live dangerously - hovering just five points above the relegation zone in Division Three Central South.

There were contrasting fortunes for the two Prestbury sides in Division Four Central South.

The ‘Thirds’ lost for the second week running, and dropped to third - with Paul Wilson’s victory a mere consolation in the course of a 4-1 defeat at home to Grove Park 4.

But Prestbury 4’s relegation fight was boosted by a maximum points haul at Alderley Park 3, as Kevin Wynne, Dave Jones, Ben Parker, Gareth Evans and junior Rhys Asquith-Evans (15) all prevailed 3-1 to ensure their side’s first win in eight matches.

In Division Four South, Bollington’s ‘Thirds’ were without a fixture, while Macclesfield 1 made it seven straight victories, and went third, after trouncing hosts Hyde 4 5-0 — with wins by James Douglas, Simon Evans, Robin Thorpe and Martin and Annika Hall.

But 9th-placed Prestbury 5 had rather less joy in receiving, and going down by the same margin to, Hyde’s Third Team - a fate that was replicated in Division Five Central South by Prestbury 7, at home to Disley 2 .

Both Fifth Division South sides to play were edged out by the odd match in five - as Macclesfield 2 (fifth) and Bollington 4 (sixth) lost to Knutsford Sports 3 and Grove Park 6, respectively. Tom Grimes and Phil Colville earned straight-games wins on the night for the ‘Bolly Fourths’, while Simon Fisher and Ian Hill were victorious for Macc.

Three days earlier, in the Cheshire Ladies’ League, 4-1 results had been the order of the evening. Prestbury 1 hosted and beat Liverpool Cricket Club 1, and remain fourth in Division Two, following wins for Fran Taylor, Linda Maher, Sarah Lonsdale and Helen Thaw. But seventh-placed Bollington, in spite of Annika Hall’s victory, fell at table-topping Bowdon 3.

And in Division Three (b), Prestbury 2’s defeat at home to leaders Marple was brightened by an inaugural victory for new player Ewa Papis, who followed the lead of winning debutant Hannah Beedie a week previously.