Highfield so close to century for Kidsgrove

KIDSGROVE’S Chris Highfield agonisingly missed out on a century, but it didn’t matter as his side easily beat Wedgwood in NSSCL Division Seven.

Highfield was run out off the last ball of the innings for 99 as Kidsgrove amassed 187-7 from their 40 overs.

Highfield hit nine fours and one six in his knock, but couldn’t make his ground off the last ball as he searched for his century.

James Green (31) also impressed with the bat for the visitors, while Carl Stokes picked up 3-27. Wedgwood were bundled out for just 28 in reply as Green claimed 4-13 and Jimmy

Jinks captured 3-14.

Porthill Park fourths won by five wickets at Sandbach. Sandbach were bowled out for 148, in which Joe Gibson made 52 and Louwrens Verwey added 24.

There were doubles from James Cope, Daniel Brownsword and Alex

Lockett for the visitors.

Cope then made 38 in the chase and with Joe Price and Lockett adding 23 apiece, Porthill Park reached their target. Tom Kesteven claimed 3-31.

Champions Betley eased to a 10-wicket home victory over Woore.

Harvey Lowe (4-23), Stuart Cheetham (3-15) and Adam Williams (3-21) teamed up to send Woore sliding to 76 all out, despite Daniel Manning’s 27.

Willoughby Happe (39no) and Patrick Wilkes (29no) guided Betley to the points with the minimum of fuss. Oakamoor thirds were sevenwicket winners at their Audley counterparts.

Elliot Jackson’s 5-19 was the key contribution to restricting Audley to 100 all out. Charles Birkin topscored with 31.

Jonathan Wood (35no),

Luke Walker (25no) and Jacob Fullick (22) made fine contributions after tea to lead Oakamoor to the spoils. Jason Carrigan starred with bat and ball, but it couldn’t prevent Checkley thirds from losing at Church Eaton. Carrigan took 3-23 early in the afternoon, but David Pierpoint (93), Robert Hogarth (36) and Oliver Bennett (34) powered the home side to 229-8.

Carrigan hit 14 fours and one six in his 102 after tea, but although Jamie Richardson added 29, Checkley closed on 204-9. Elliot Robinson claimed 3-33.

Newcastle & Hartshill fourths conceded their game at Onneley seconds.