Teenage trio lead Badgers comeback

WITH Saturday’s 1st and 2nd XI fixtures both victims of persistent rain, it was Bramhall’s 3rd XI who had a chance to take the headlines when they hopped along to Cheadle’s Kingsway ground on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts won the toss and decided to bowl first on a green looking wicket, in the first league game of the season after recent early cup fixtures.

After losing an early wicket, opener Parag Mohite (32) and number three Ben Wright (29) upped the scoring rate to reach 72 in the 11th over, before both batsmen were out in quick succession.

This left Ed Gray to shepherd the rest of an inexperienced batting order, which he did successfully for 38 before he lost his wicket on 120. Andy Carroll struck some late blows for 26 and the innings closed all out for 157 in the 37th over.

A competitive score but would the unused overs count against the Beavers?

Cheadle’s reply mirrored Bramhall’s start with an early wicket to 13-year-old debutant Yusuf Khan, followed by a breezy second wicket partnership which saw the home side well placed at 59 for 1 from 11 overs.

The away side, however, kept chipping away and with wickets shared between Mohite (1-29) and Nick Ferguson (4-44), Cheadle were pegged back to 103 for 5.

The scoreboard crept along positively enough and with 3.2 overs remaining three wickets in hand, the home side required just three more runs to win.

13-year-old debutant spinner Kenul Watawana had so far bowled well with a wet ball - but without success - and then suddenly took two wickets in two balls in his ninth over to leave nerves jangling.

Cheadle then tied the scores with the first ball of (a third 13-year-old debutant) Arjun Kapoor’s first over but the third ball bowled the hosts’ number ten batsman to make it three wickets in five balls, a tied result and a great Bramhall 3rd XI comeback led by a promising teenage trio.

The 3rd XI hosts Timperley next Sunday at the Richard Cragg Cricket Ground in a busy few days for Bramhall’s sides.

The 1st XI has a home T20 tie against Lindow at 6pm on Thursday, before welcoming Grappenhall in the league on Saturday at midday, with the 2nd XI heading to the Wirral to face Upton. And on Sunday, the 1st XI is back in action again in a Cheshire Cup tie at Hyde from 1pm.

The outside bar at Church Lane is open for each fixture and is expected to be popular! senior