Bramhall faced hectic schedule
BRAMHALL’S 1st XI were scheduled to play 3 matches in just 4 days, all away, between Thursday and Sunday last week.
Thursday saw the initial group game in the Cheshire T20 competition.
The Beavers headed just down the road to Cheadle Hulme, and fielded first after losing the toss.
On a slow wicket, and despite the hosts getting off to a positive start, Bramhall’s disciplined lines and lengths exerted sufficient pressure to take regular wickets through the innings, as Cheadle Hulme were all out for 103 from 19 of their 20 overs. Simon Wilkinson’s 4 wickets for just 8 runs were the standout figures.
Bramhall’s response could best be described as measured, with a distinct lack of T20 pyrotechnics against a nagging bowling attack. After Aamir Afzal was dismissed for a patient 20, it was left to fellow opener and (former Grove Park man) Adam Wilde to see the Beavers home by 7 wickets from 18 overs. His 49 not out was the day’s quality innings, with Hulme not helping themselves by bowling 16 wides.
Bramhall face Stockport in the 2nd of 3 group T20 games next Thursday.
Saturday saw the 1st XI – still missing some key players - travel to Cheadle, as the visitors looked to build on a fantastic win against Chester the previous weekend.
Unfortunately, heavy rain led to a delayed start, that was further punctuated by the elements. After an early tea was taken, uninterrupted play was finally able to begin, with Cheadle batting first up to a maximum of 39 overs, leaving Bramhall a minimum of 37 overs.
Bramhall stuck at their task and pegged Cheadle back. After their 39 overs, Cheadle had been restricted to 192-7, which would prove difficult to overhaul, despite the improving conditions.
Starting the chase, Bramhall seemed to be a little unsure about how best to chase the total, up against some nagging seam bowling.
Bramhall’s top order collapsed and it was then left to the lower order to try and see out the remaining overs against leg spin and seam. This proved too much of a task, and the last wicket fell in the 31st over with the score on a paltry 87 all out, Cheadle winning by 105 runs.
Bramhall could take a modicum of solace that league rules enabled 7 points to be taken for the defeat, due to the overs lost. Next Saturday sees another tough fixture, at home to Toft.
Bramhall’s 2nd XI hosted Cheadle on Saturday, and managed to draw in another rainaffected match – replying with 93-5 after Cheadle had set 155-6 in 32 overs.
On Sunday, the 1st XI travelled to Derbyshire & Cheshire Cricket League side Broadbottom, in the first round of the Cheshire Cup.
Bramhall were asked to bat first on a slow-looking wicket but with some short boundaries. A steady opening stand between Aamir Afzal and Sam Johnson realised over 100 runs, and picked up the scoring rate as time went on. Afzal fell for 62, his debut Beavers 50 which brought the in-form Adam Wilde to the crease. Johnson was a little slower to his maiden 50.
The dangerous Iftikhar Naseer was in at four, and showed no mercy in a brutal knock that needed only his first ball as a sighter. Naseer raced to 50 bin less than 15 balls, mercilessly despatching almost every ball for 4 or 6.
Bramhall’s finally scored 358-5 from their 45 overs. After the break, Broadbottom’s openers took to the Bramhall seamers with relish, and were up with the rate after the first half a dozen overs. However, scoreboard pressure began to tell and wickets predictably began to fall. Despite an aggressive half-century from one opener, Bramhall’s slow & medium pace bowlers chipped away to leave the host batsmen with an impossible task. It was pleasing from Bramhall’s point of view to have young teenagers Matt Madeira and Lewis Welch playing an active part in the game and both ended picking up 3 wickets apiece. Broadbottom closed on a creditable 190 all out to lose by 168 runs.