Bagnall Norton fall short of line after brave chase
BIGNALL End pocketed the 15 points from their NSSCL Division Four trip to Bagnall Norton - but it was a close run thing.
They eventually prevailed by one run after a run-laden encounter went right down to the wire.
Half-centuries from Joel Brierley and Jon Maskrey had navigated Bignall End to an imposing 234-5 from 40 overs.
Brierley finished on 73, with five fours, while Maskrey hit 10 boundaries in his 61.
Dave Evans claimed 3-31 for the home side, who then set about their run chase with gusto.
Opening pair Jak Meakin and Tony Dutton put on 141 for the first wicket to provide excellent foundations.
Meakin made 76 and Dutton added 60, but there was plenty of tension to come.
Gareth Moulton took a couple of wickets and although Paul Tomkinson made 48 not out, Bagnall Norton drew stumps on 233-4.
Elworth seconds will take an eightpoint lead in to the final round of matches following their win at Barlaston.
Tom Gray’s unbeaten 101, which featured 12 fours and two sixes, formed the backbone of Barlaston’s 197-4.
Mat Morray and Elliot Wilson lent support with 21 apiece, while Joe Seabridge walked off with a couple of victims.
Elworth rose to the tough challenge admirably after tea and ran out fourwicket winners.
Rob Beech’s 69 led that bid, with Tom Seabridge (38) and Connor Flowers (32no) ensuring the Cheshire side remained out in front. Wilson took 4-27.
Second-placed Woore kept their hopes of title glory intact after winning at Silverdale.
Hassan Haleem’s 52 was backed up by Matthew Kenvyn’s 26 and 25 from Aidan Cumberbatch as Woore posted 169-9. Matt Smith claimed 3-38.
Ben Hardy (39no) and Chris White (23) impressed in reply, but three wickets apiece from Tom Saji (3-13) and Cumberbatch (3-14) restricted Silverdale to 115-9 at the close.
Hem Heath thirds managed to defend a low score to bank the spoils at Moddershall & Oulton thirds. Hem Heath were bowled out for 95 - Daniel
Kyle making 27 - as Jack Knapper helped himself to 3-24.
Knapper then struck 23 in reply, but it wasn’t enough as the Modd men tumbled from 45-2 to 86 all out.
Ben Topley (3-17) and Dominic Littler (3-31) were the bowling heroes for the visitors.
Jake Short was on the ton trail for Onneley in their win against Stone
SP thirds. Set 197 for the points, Short made 113 not out, hitting 17 fours and one six, to guide his side to an eightwicket win.
There was plenty of support for him as well, with Kyle Knowles (39no) and Dan Hall (32) starring.
Gareth Jones (53), Harry Macdonald (46no) and Liam Hickey (39) had earlier been the mainstays of Stone
SP’S 196-8. Short, Hall and Tom Salt all took two wickets.
Newcastle & Hartshill enjoyed a comfortable win at Porthill Park thirds.
Ethan Gater (45) and Rob Hagan (42) helped Castle to 189-8, despite Nathan Stubbs scooping 3-27.
Matt Farr top-scored with 38 after tea, but Thomas Onions’ 4-22 sent Porthill Park tumbling to 116 all out.