Watt switches on the power in vital victory
RUNCORN’S cricketers closed in on the Cheshire County League Sunday West Division title with a thrilling victory over their closest rivals at Moughland Lane.
Chasing a stiff 203 target off 40 overs set by second-placed New Brighton, Ian Conway’s league leaders secured a final over victory largely thanks to a brilliant century from Alan Watt.
With 10 overs of Runcorn’s reply left, 79 runs were still required for the win, but the key element of having six wickets in hand served the locals well.
And with three runs required from the last over with two wickets in hand, Runcorn were able to coast to victory.
Watt was the star, with his superblypaced century which was his highest score of the season and his second ton of the campaign.
The win keeps Runcorn top of the league with one scheduled game remaining against Chester Boughton Hall fourths – a team who have failed to fulfil most of their fixtures in recent weeks.
The third team’s victory was the highlight of the weekend as both first and second teams lost their penultimate games of the season.
The first XI suffered a batting collapse Phil Conway claimed five wickets for Runcorn Cricket Club’s second XI in their match with Woodford. of significant proportions when well placed at home to Disley.
Ryan Beech’s young side showed their inexperience when they were 43-3 at drinks, thanks mainly to double figure contributions from Dan Booth (17) and Patrick Tyrrell (11).
There then followed a horrible collapse when seven wickets went down for only five runs as they slid to 55 all out against a good Disley attack.
Disley knocked off the runs to record a 10 wicket victory which sees Runcorn occupy ninth place in the league table.
The seconds were also defeated at Woodford after making 154-8 from their 45 overs. Alan Watt was also in excellent form with the bat in this game, striking 58. He was well supported by both Phil Conway (25) and Mike Jenner (17).
Quick bowler Phil Conway delivered his third five-wicket haul for the season when Runcorn took the ball.
His 5-35 gave the locals a chance of victory and was his second ‘five-for’ against Woodford, almost matching his 5-24 in June.
With the game 85-6, Runcorn were still in with a great chance of pulling off their ninth win of the season.
However an unbeaten sixth wicket stand of 70 saw the home side to victory.
The second XI stay third in their table and both first and second string play Irby this weekend in the final league match of the season.