Cheadle two points to promotion party
Division One
CHEADLE and Moddershall & Oulton closed in on promotion to the NSSCL Premier Division, despite enduring contrasting fortunes at the weekend.
Table-topping Cheadle were beaten at Eccleshall, while the Modd men were winners on the road at Barlaston.
And that’s left them needing two and three points respectively from their final matches to ensure they fill the promotion berths.
Cheadle could have wrapped up matters on Saturday, but lost by three wickets on their travels.
They were in all sorts of trouble on 40-6, before James Sellers’ 66 led a recovery to 126 all out.
Cameron Sinclair (6-44) did the damage to leave the frontrunners on the back foot.
However, Eccleshall were left sweating on the points after three wickets apiece from Sellers and Tom Wells left them on 82-7.
But Scott Winnington’s unbeaten 32, plus 21 not out from Chanaka Ekanayake, guided the home side across the line.
Weston sealed their survival with an easy win at home against CAVERSWALL.
Mohammed Kaleem (5-27) and Bilal Hussain (3-9) were in excellent form to leave Caverswall all out for 83. Troy Taylor top-scored with 19.
James Weighall took a couple of wickets in reply, but Zia Ur Rehman’s 48 ensured Weston were celebrating after winning promotion at the end of last summer.
Division Three
HEM Heath seconds were relegated after being held to a draw by fellow strugglers CHECKLEY.
Gareth Harte did his best to find a way to victory for Hem Heath as he made a superb 145 not out to leave his side declaring on 202-5.
Harte hit 19 fours and three sixes in his innings, while Peter Appleboam took 3-80.
Checkley seconds had 41 overs to bat in reply and reached safety on 129-4 thanks to 45 not out from Josh Hewitt and Joe Avery’s 39.
Champions ENDON won by nine wickets at Silverdale seconds.
Silverdale, who had just seven players, were bowled out for 36 as Marlon Martin helped himself to 4-11.
Richard Wilson then made 21 not out to ease his side to the points.
OAKAMOOR had the better of their home draw with Rode Park & Lawton.
James Smith (45) Matthew Carnwell and (42) impressed
170-8.
Rode Park’s innings was reduced to 44 overs because of the weather and they reached 96-5. Paul Hammersley claimed 3-10. in
Division Four
Oakamoor’s CONGRATULATIONS to Eccleshall and CHEADLE, who secured promotion after completing weekend wins.
Eccleshall ruled the roost on their trip to Little Stoke, while Cheadle saw off Barlaston to cement their top-two place.
The title is still up for grabs, though, heading into the last weekend with Eccleshall ahead by 10 points.
Eccleshall entertain Meir Heath on Saturday as they attempt to hold onto top spot.
Cheadle are chasing hard, however, and survived the odd nervy moment to win by three wickets at home against Barlaston.
Barlaston, who are just four points clear of the relegation zone, were skittled for 126 by the Moorlanders.
John Aked top-scored with 40, but Paul Allen’s 3-28, allied to 3-22 from Jack Winfield, seemingly put Cheadle on course for a comfortable afternoon.
But Aked showcased his allround credentials with 4-28 to leave Cheadle on 79-6 and then 103-7.
They managed to cross the line, though, as Johnathon Clowes remained resolute to stroke an unbeaten 25 to steer his side to the points.
Cheadle now face a humdinger of a final fixture at Hem Heath thirds.
The Moorlanders are chasing the title, while Hem Heath are four points behind Barlaston after losing to Knypersley.