ECCLESHALL ON BRINK OF TITLE GLORY
ECCLESHALL require one point from Saturday’s home game against Newcastle & Hartshill to win the NSSCL Division One title.
Eccleshall, who have led the division from start to finish, defeated nearest challengers Elworth at the weekend to all-but secure the honours.
It was visiting Eccleshall who decided to bat first on their visit to Cheshire, and they amassed 168-7 from their allocation.
Skipper Cameron Sinclair led the way with 63 not out, hitting seven fours and one six, with Myles Coughlan (32) making sure the innings got off to a solid start.
Steve Morgan’s 3-11 was the pick of the Elworth attack, aided by Mike Stewart’s double strike.
Elworth’s hopes of toppling the leaders were blown away in the early stages of their response as they were reduced to 10-5.
Edward Parrish steadied the ship with an unbeaten 67, but the damage had been done and the home side were dismissed for 131.
Fida Hussain and Scott Winnington finished with 3-10 and 3-17 respectively.
Endon’s George Sellers produced another batting masterclass to inspire his side to a thumping win at home against Wood Lane.
He constructed his third century of the summer as Endon piled up 298-4 after being asked to bat.
Sellers faced a mere 75 balls and plundered 17 fours and eight sixes on his way to 135.
He shared a third-wicket stand of 157 with Ross Dearden - who made 64 - to put the game beyond Wood Lane’s reach.
Daniel Bailey blazed 37 not out late on, while Richie Jervis claimed a couple of victims.
In reply, Jay Green (35), Jake Thompson (21) and Ashley Guest (20) all made starts, but the visitors were never in contention.
Harvey Ault helped himself to 3-20 and there were doubles from Marlon Martin and Dearden, as Wood Lane were rolled for 128.
Staffordshire opener Zen Malik was another player hitting the ton trail in Blythe’s seven-wicket win at Audley.
Set 174 for victory, Malik made 121 not out, hitting seven fours and seven sixes, to steer his side past the post in the penultimate over.
Earlier in the day, Rob Hemmings had top-scored with 84 not out in Audley’s 173-8. Malik’s spin reaped 3-30, with Ben Smith’s 3-42 also proving to be a useful contribution.
Newcastle & Hartshill eased to the points at home against Sandyford.
Sandyford were routed for just 75, despite Jonathan Barnett showing resistance with 33.
Seb Smith, Andy Whitehead and Dawar Hussain all took two wickets. Castle lost three wickets in reply - two to Gareth Kinsey - but Jonathan Gidman’s unbeaten 38 saw them cross the line in emphatic fashion.
Hem Heath were five-wicket home winners against Leycett.
Leycett posted a highly-respectable 177-8 from their 40 overs, thanks to Dan Redfern’s 76. Nazakat Ali (3-21) was the star turn with the ball for the home side.
Callum Leese then wasted little time in making 90 not out - finding the boundary on 14 occasions - to be the mastermind behind Hem Heath’s victory charge.
And with Greg Prime adding 51, they knocked off the runs with more than 10 overs remaining.
Knypersley defeated Little Stoke by two wickets at Tunstall Road.
Spencer Byatt’s 51 was the main effort in Little Stoke’s 148-8, although Ben Pugh also played his part with 34.
Arsalan Arshad Mir and Joe Dutton both took two wickets. Mir (25) and Darren Butler (20) impressed up top for Knype after tea, but Byatt’s 3-37, allied to twin strikes from James Ecclestone and Steve Pugh, kept the outcome in the balance.
But the experienced head of Jonathon Cumberbatch (31no) was the difference as Knype reached their target with one ball to spare.