Runcorn experience disa-Poynton results
RUNCORN’S cricketers suffered the double blow of cup semi-final agony and a league defeat at lowly Poynton in a week to forget for the Moughland Lane club.
Defending their UK Fast Cheshire Cricket League cup title at Kingsley, Runcorn’s batting frailties came home to roost as they subsided to 108 all out on a pitch which required at least another 40 runs to mount a competitive total.
Runcorn lost too many wickets early in their innings, with batsman sacrificing themselves before establishing a platform from which to accelerate.
Only three batsman made it into double figures, as Patrick Tyrrell top-scored with 44 from 47 balls.
Runcorn could not even bat their entire 20 overs, being bowled out with five balls to spare in the final set of six deliveries.
It then required a monumental bowling and fielding effort to defend that total on a good pitch with a fast outfield.
Although Kiwi seamer Nathan McNicol produced a fine spell of bowling – taking 4-7 from his four overs – Kingsley booked their place in the final as they reached the target for the loss of seven wickets with eight balls left.
Runcorn switched to league action on Saturday at Poynton but still experienced similar problems with the bat.
After losing the toss on a slow surface which required some patience, the innings subsided to 22-6 off 12 overs.
It was only thanks to a spirited rearguard action from Dan Booth (30), Jack Weston (27 not out) and Jack Wignall (21) that Runcorn were at least able to post a three figure total of 109 all out, having batted only 36 of their 45 overs.
Relegation strugglers Poynton suffered two early losses in reply, with Booth proving his all-round talent, but the home side eased to victory in just 26 overs.
Runcorn’s second and third teams were more successful, recording comfortable wins against Oakmere and Alvanley respectively.
Mark Cahill struck a fine 92 for the second string as they posted 211-6 off 45 overs at Moughland Lane and Ryan Richardson took 4-38 from 10 overs as the visitors were dismissed for 185.
Wily seamer Colin Lloyd also chipped in with 3-25 from 6.5 overs and Phil Conway took 3-41 from nine.
The third XI also produced another fine performance and stay comfortably top of the Cheshire West County League after they cruised to a seven-wicket win at home to Alvanley.
After limiting Alvanley to just 79 from their 40 overs, Runcorn eased to victory for the loss of three wickets.
Liam Keenan produced an impressive all-round performance, taking 3-10 with the ball and hitting 25 not out, as he teamed up with skipper Ian Conway (36 not out) to guide Runcorn home.
Two wins from their last three league games would guarantee them the title.