BETLEY AND AUDLEM SEAL THE POINTS AFTER TENSE FINALES

BETLEY prevailed by just two runs in an entertaining NSSCL Division Seven home clash against Wedgwood.

Josh Allman’s 100 not out orchestrated Betley’s progress to 224-=1 at the end of their 40 overs. Allman shared a second-wicket stand of 161 with Lewis Clarke, who finished unbeaten on 67.

The opener’s ton contained 13 boundaries, while Clarke found the ropes on eight occasions. Wedgwood made a good fist of chasing down the target with Ashley Turner making 61 at the top. Mark Jones compiled 51 not out and Darren Johnson added 49, but Wedgwood just fell short on 222-6. Audlem also had to hold their nerve to close out a six-run win on their trip to Kidsgrove.

Audlem made excellent progress to 178-5 on the back of Andy Rothwell’s 74 and 37 from Dan Butler. James Green took two wickets.

Kidsgrove looked set for victory as they reached 116-2. Thomas Plant (39) and Chris Highfield (34) put them in a decent position.

But Audlem, who now have two wins from two, battled back as 3-39 from Simon Swift and doubles from Callum Mcilveen and Dave Parkinson dismissed the home side off the last ball for 172.

Newcastle & Hartshill thirds won on their trip to Moddershall & Oulton sixths.

David Housley just missed out on back-to-back centuries in the Modd men’s 170-8. Housley had compiled 117 against Audlem in week one, but had to be content with 99 not out, an innings which featured 13 fours and four sixes. Alex Ellerton took 4-30.

Castle needed just 24.1 overs to wrap up a seven-wicket success. Ethan Gater top-scored with an unbeaten 77, while Daniel Bogges chipped in with 69 to see them comfortably to their target. Rode Park & Lawton were also on easy street at home against Porthill Park fourths. Jack Harrison’s 3-12 was key to Porthill Park being bowled out for just 66. Joseph Price top-scored with 13.

In reply, Stuart Nixon (27no) and Michael Hulme (25) completed the formalities of an eight-wicket win. Checkley thirds were not blown off course by a rain delay in their win at home against Onneley.

Onneley seconds has reached 210-9 thanks to Sohail Hussain’s 52, 50 from Ash Hall and Adam Hussain’s 41. Jason Carrigan scooped 3-22. A rain break revised Checkley’s that to 163 off 31 overs... and they secured a six-wicket win with eight balls remaining.

Carrigan showed his all-round credentials with 66, while Taiyub Rehman (31no) saw the job through. Sandbach seconds won at Audley. A key stand of 123 between James Clifton (87) and Ben Collett (51) paved the way for Sandbach to reach 222-6. Paul Harris and Niall Redman both took two wickets.

Oliver Palmer (27), Finley Beswick (24) and Harris (21no) made decent headway after tea, but Tom Kesteven’s 3-18 dismissed Audley for 153.