Poised to claim Cheshire Cricket Alliance One title (From Crewe Guardian)

Poised to claim Cheshire Cricket Alliance One title

9:00am Friday 14th September 2012 in Sport

SANDBACH remain on course to win the Cheshire Alliance top tier title after a three-wicket win at Old Parkonians on Saturday.

The hosts reached 198 for 5 after winning the toss, Nick Hitchell reaching a half-century while Ross Kesteven took three of the wickets to fall.

He starred with the bat too, contributing 87 as Sandbach reached their target in the 40th over.

They lead the way by nine points heading into the season’s final round this weekend.

Wistaston successfully chased 157 to win at home to Appleton in the same section, Josh Allwood, 60, and Ned Townsend, 43, leading the way after Nazeer Khan, 4 for 50, had been the pick of the bowling attack earlier in the day. Haslington kept alive their promotion hopes after thrashing Rylands by 10 wickets, openers Ben Leigh, 78 not out, and Jack Moran, 65 not out, steering the hosts to victory after they had dismissed their guests for 151.

In Division Two, Audlem lost by three wickets at home to strugglers Hartford after posting 159, Praveen Pattisapu’s six-wickets haul doing most of the damage.

He made 41 after tea as the visitors replied with 162 for 7.

Haslington’s second string eased to a nine-wickets win at Kerridge in Division Three, Miles Machin returning a five-wickets haul as the hosts were dismissed for 85.

Alex Moore, 33 not out, and Lewis Clarke, 28 not out, were at the crease to hit the winning runs.

Sandbach seconds lost at home to Port Sunlight despite totalling 200, Chris Kendrick, 39 not out, and Tom Coppenhall, 37, both making starts.

But Chris Newton, 66, and Wayne Greve, 44, steered the visitors to victory with six batsmen to spare, Ben Guildford taking three of the four wickets to fall.