Runcorn’s aim to build on victory
RUNCORN Cricket Club’s first XI got back to winning ways with victory against Heaton Mersey on Saturday but their T20 clash with Stretton was called off on Tuesday evening.
Ryan Beech and his side have been unfortunate so far this season with a string of cancellations and abandoned games due to poor weather.
Yet again, the team suffered a setback as Tuesday evening’s clash was cancelled before they got a chance to play.
Beech recently admitted he hoped his side would regain some consistency after poor weather has made it difficult for Runcorn to get going.
However, Saturday’s victory will have given the captain and his team a boost and they’ll be hoping to build upon their performance this week.
It was their third win of the season but it wasn’t easy and they fought until the end to gain a four-run victory in a close encounter.
Runcorn’s opening batsmen were bowled out early but a terrific performance from Nathan McNicol helped Runcorn regain their feet.
The New Zealander was eventually dismissed for 71 and was supported by Patrick Tyrrell who notched up 25.
Sam Rowland produced a great performance near the end of the batting order to add a further unbeaten 20 to the Runcorn total of 164 all out.
When in the field, captain Beech and Matt Tyrrell came into the bowling attack to nullify Heaton Mersey’s growing score.
After a battling performance, Runcorn came through on top despite missing a few keys players due to holidays and injuries.
Runcorn currently sit in eighth position in the Cheshire League Division One and hope to move up the table with similar performances in the upcoming weeks.
Tomorrow evening, they welcome an Indian touring team and Beech will hope his side can use the friendly as an opportunity to gain more game time and prepare for the league clash on Saturday afternoon.
This weekend’s league opponents, Disley CC, will no doubt prove a challenge for Runcorn but after producing a good allround performance on Saturday they’ll be looking to head into the game with confidence.
Runcorn will doubtless be hoping the weather will hold out this week too!
RUNCORN Cricket Club’s first XI secured their third win of the season thanks to a thrilling four-run victory over Heaton Mersey at Moughland Lane on Saturday.
Ryan Beech’s men showed great resolve in a game which took some fascinating twists and turns after the locals lost the toss and were asked to bat on a wicket offering assistance to bowlers.
With only five runs on the scoreboard and both openers back in the pavilion, the Runcorn innings was tottering.
However, Kiwi Nathan McNicol and Patrick Tyrrell repaired the damage with a terrific third wicket stand of 77.
McNicol, promoted up the order and now beginning to get a feel for English pitches, struck his top score of the season, a well-paced 71 off 77 balls. His knock featured half-a-dozen fours and three maximums.
McNicol was ably supported by Tyrrell who provided the anchor role with 25 off 68 balls.
When both were dismissed and another mid-order collapse seem imminent, the Runcorn innings was rescued by number nine batsman Sam Rowland (20 not out), who steered the tail to a respectable 164 all out – although the two extra overs Runcorn gave the visitors by not batting their allotted 45 could have proved terminal to their chances.
Hassan Rashid and Ian Hughes were the visitors’ best bowlers each snapping up four wickets.
Heaton Mersey’s reply was in a strong position at 92-2, but skipper Beech’s decision to bring himself and Matt Tyrrell into the attack proved pivotal.
Beech’s accurate seamers accounted for five Heaton Mersey wickets while legspinner Tyrrell took three important scalps which collectively swung the game Runcorn’s way as Heaton Mersey subsided to 160 all out with just four balls left of the innings.
McNicol also chipped in with a wicket, while Dan Booth was very unlucky to only take 1-33 from 12 excellent overs.
The Runcorn team, minus half a dozen regulars, showed excellent determination in the field and supported their bowling unit valiantly.
The win lifts Runcorn to eighth in UK Fast Cheshire League Division One and put the men from Moughland Lane in good heart as they welcome back more personnel for the trip to Disley this Saturday afternoon.
Runcorn’s second team were less successful against their Heaton Mersey counterparts, going down to a fivewicket defeat.
Losing the toss on a wicket offering considerable early assistance to the bowlers proved vital, as Runcorn managed 139-6 off their 45 overs. Matt Keenan was the mainstay of the innings with 75 from 122 balls.
Although Runcorn’s middle order tried, they failed to give the innings an injection of pace in final overs and the total proved nowhere near enough when the home side reached the victory target from just 26 overs for the loss of five wickets.
Calum McCaffrey was the pick of the Runcorn bowlers with 3-45 off seven overs.
Runcorn’s third team game with Warrington fourths was washed out on Sunday with Ian Conway’s team handily placed at 98 without loss off 24 overs. Stuart Drury was 47 not out and Mike Jenner 41 not out when the rain forced the game to be abandoned.
Runcorn’s U18s moved to second place in the County League North Division table after cruising to an eightwicket win at Grappenhall. The home side were dismissed for just 34 from 11 overs on a seamer-friendly wicket. Skipper Jack Beech took 4-7, while Dan Booth picked up 3-3 as Grappenhall’s first six batters were dismissed for ducks. Calum McCaffrey and Jacob Warder were the other wicket takers.
Runcorn eased home for the loss of just two wickets with Booth completing an impressive all-round performance, as he was unbeaten on 20.
Runcorn Cricket Club’s New Zealand star Nathan McNicol made a superb 71 with the bat before taking a wicket to help his team earn a thrilling victory over Heaton Mersey last Saturday.