CHESHIRE WOMEN’S CRICKET LEAGUE - LATEST RESULTS

After a delay in commencing the season due to the extended period of wet weather, action has now commenced for most, with a full programme taking place in the top division on May 12th.

Appleton v Oakmere: When they were reduced to 13-5 early in the first innings, a comfortable Oakmere win was probably the last thing on most observers’ minds. Emily Page rediscovered the form that she produced when becoming the league’s leading wicket taker in the 2022 season, taking four early scalps here. It fell to Kate Skelhorn and Rachel Warrenger to rebuild the innings, adding 93 for the sixth wicket and eventually taking Oakmere to 148, bowled out off the last ball. Page’s 35 was the only significant knock in reply as Skelhorn, Becky Jones and Natalie Lyons all took wickets to wrap up a 55-run win.

Leigh v Didsbury: Starting your league season with a score of 257-3 in 40 overs and ultimately winning by 74 runs could be seen as making a statement, regardless of your opposition. The fact that Leigh achieved this against reigning champions Didsbury makes it all the more noteworthy. Seeking to regain the crown they won in 2022, Leigh put their South Manchester rivals to the sword here, and two of their most noteworthy new signings both hit eye-catching centuries. Ellie Mason is remembered for reeling off the centuries for Stockport Trinity in previous seasons and here she made 133, with the club’s new overseas star Kirsten Smith coming in at number three and contributing 106 runs of her own. Didsbury’s reply reached a creditable 183, with Rosie Ackerley making an unbeaten half-century, but they were never in the hunt to chase down this formidable target. Millie Baldwin took three wickets and Mason claimed 2-16 in eight overs, making this a contender for the best ever all-round performance on a league debut?

Lindow v Stockport Georgians: Just five years after their first team were champions of Division 4, Lindow made their bow as a top-flight club today, and also really made a statement of what they might be able to achieve in Division 1. Georgians’ innings saw several promising cameos, but nothing higher than Skye Thomas’ 25, and they were ultimately all out for a below par 137. Grace Hemsted and Emilia Rossi each took three wickets. It remains to be seen how the Wilmslow club will fare across a 14-match season, but on the evidence of their run chase here, there’s a lot of entertainment in store. Heidi Cheadle returned to Lindow after starring for them in 2022 and made an unbeaten 65 from 56 balls here. New overseas signing Holly Topp finished 66 not out from 54 deliveries as the target was reached in just 18.1 overs.

Oakmere v Nantwich: Sadly rain and thunder intervened here, with a tight finish brewing in a low scoring affair. With the bowlers in charge, Morganne Prince and Grace Carter took three wickets each in Oakmere’s 122 all out. For run rate calculations, their run rate was 3.05, having been bowled out short of their full allocation. Nantwich reached 95-7 in 31 overs, scoring at 3.065 per over, to claim the win by the barest of margins – had they been on 94, the result would have gone the other way.

Chester Boughton Hall v Appleton: There were fantastic figures here for Carys Lambe (4-10) and Gemma Rose (3-8), both from six overs, as Appleton were all out for 61. Chester stuttered to their low target, but got home by four wickets, despite three scalps from Becca Othick.

Division Two

Leyland v Hawarden: Hawarden finished a strong second in this division last year, but certainly didn’t get off to a good start here. May Hardy and Lowri Whittaker each took two early wickets and the Welsh club ultimately managed just 25 all out. Leyland duly completed a nine-wicket win.

Hayfield v Upton: After relegation last year, Upton set out their stall for an immediate return to Division 1 with a comfortable win. Lily Scudder (74) and Philippa Dagger, who retired on 59, took their opening stand into three figures and their team finally closed on 182-3 in 35 overs. Hayfield were soon losing regular wickets in reply and ultimately fell 60 runs short.

Hawarden Park v Greenfield: Another match that sadly didn’t reach a normal conclusion due to a thunderstorm, although once again here there was enough play for a result, and for a Greenfield win. They scored 120 all out in 34.4 overs thanks primarily to Amelia Buckley, who hit 65.  Holly Sigsworth took a fine 5 for 14 in 5.4 overs and Bella Williams 3 for 25. Nicky Deane top scored with 36 in the reply, but Hawarden were only on 90 – 10 runs short of where they needed to be - after 29.1 overs when the players were forced from the field.

Division Three West

JG Meakin Northern Stars v Chester Boughton Hall 2^nd XI: Following their development cup win, Chester completed a double-header win over their opponents from the Potteries. Holly Cooke made 44 from 41 balls as Boughton Hall racked up 115 in 20 overs, then a fantastic bowling return of five wickets for three runs from Roberts completed a comfortable win.

Division Three Cross-Divisional Matches 

Alvanley v Stockport Georgians 2^nd XI: One club with much to be proud of today was Alvanley, who won their first game following promotion to division three. The bowling spells of Charlie Barratt and Isla Entwistle were perhaps their most eye-catching performances.

Nantwich 2^nd XI v Lindow 2^nd XI: A comfortable win for Nantwich, with Laura Midwinter taking 4-10 to keep the Wilmslow team down to 93 in 30 overs. Ashlee Prince and Ellie Pearson did much of the work in reply, adding 64 for the first wicket.

Fixtures awaiting possible re-arrangement:

JG Meakin Northern Stars v Buxton 2^nd XI – unfit ground on original date of 21/4

Division Four West 

Wistaston Village v Grappenhall: Hannah Burnett and Lisa Taylor were the top scorers here as Wistaston amassed a formidable 135 in 20 overs, setting them on the way to a 65 run win.

Division Four East 

Didsbury 3^rd XI v Lindow 3^rd XI: Victory for Didsbury, who were fielding a competitive third team for the first time. Louise Hevican made 33 retired, before Didsbury were able to both defend their total of 91 and give 10 players a bowl.

Buxton 3^rd XI v New Mills & High Peak North: Victory for New Mills with one over to spare. Rachel Monteath was the top scorer in the successful chase, having earlier been one of several bowlers to return economical figures.

Hawk Green v Stockport Georgians 3^rd XI: Georgians clawed things back to record a win here, with Hawk Green initially reaching 67-1 (Richmal Giles 30 retired) in pursuit of 99 to win. Brooke Noden and Neve Boon were amongst those turning the screw as the second innings ended on 81-7, with four players run out as the pressure mounted. Blythe Beckett made 30 retired in the first innings, with Hawk Green captain Rebecca Edmundson taking two wickets for nine.

Fixtures awaiting mandatory re-arrangement:

Heaton Mersey & Cheadle v Hawk Green – ground unavailability on original date of 28/4

Division Four South East 

New Mills & High Peak North v Lindow Development XI: Lindow launched their fourth senior team here today, with the new side getting home in the final over. They reached their target of 101 in 19.4 overs, despite New Mills captain Rachel Monteath having an excellent match with 32 retired and five wickets for nine.

Langley v Buxton 3^rd XI: Langley were enjoying themselves with the bat, as a first innings total of 134-1 set up a win by 30 runs.

Fixtures awaiting possible re-arrangement:

Buxton 3^rd XI v Lindow Development XI – unfit ground on original date of 21/4

Tanvee Pallath – Chester BH 2^nd XI to Oakmere for maximum three league matches, commencing May 12

Alys Evans – Chester BH to Hawarden Park for league match on May 12 only

Overseas player registrations:

Kirsten Smith (Leigh), age 22, Australia

Grace Nuttall (Leyland), age 18, Australia

Holly Topp (Lindow), age 23, New Zealand

Breanna Craven (Stockport Georgians), age 18, Australia

Senior Knockout Round One

Upton v Hayfield: Rapid early scoring from Lily Scudder, Charlie Scudder and Philippa Dagger took Upton to a fine total of 134, and Hayfield then fell 50 short, after never really being in the hunt.

Buxton v Chester Boughton Hall Deemons: Buxton were restricted to 85, with Lydia Slack top scoring, as both Gemma Rose and Shree Dayama each took three wickets. Meg Cureton led the way as Chester got home inside 15 overs for the loss of just one wicket.

Development Knockout Round One

JG Meakin Northern Stars v Chester Boughton Hall 2^nd XI: Holders Chester overcame what could have been a tricky away draw to start their cup defence in style. Sian Kelly and Holly Cooke played a vital role in keeping the Stars down to just 64 in 20 overs, paving the way for an eight-wicket win, with Cooke also in form with the bat.

Grappenhall v Lymm Oughtrington Park: A competitive hardball debut to remember for Grappenhall, as they progressed by virtue of losing fewer wickets, with the teams tied on 94 after 20 overs.

Round Two 

Kingsley v Nantwich 2^nd XI: It was a tough draw to mark Kingsley’s first foray into competitive hardball cricket, and their total of 32 was some 55 lower than the score posted by Nantwich earlier.

Heaton Mersey & Cheadle v New Mills & High Peak North: Charlotte Heasley and Amy Shaw both reached the retirement score of 30 as their side posted a healthy 104. Despite Rachel Monteath’s 32, New Mills were soon losing regular wickets in reply and ultimately fell 16 short.

Cup Preliminary Round 

Hightown St Mary’s v Leigh: Leigh have undergone another on-field facelift with Ellie Mason one of their most eye-catching signings. She took three for nine, followed by an unbeaten 54 from 27 balls, as Leigh cruised to a target of 71 and powered through to a clash with Ramsbottom in the next round.

Stockport Georgians v Nantwich Vipers: Nantwich managed to claw back a fast Georgians start to the reply, From 47-0 in five overs, they were soon reduced to 91-8, and eventually fell four runs short on 104-9, with Gaby McKeever left stranded on 32 not out. This all meant that it was a winning partnership from Vipers openers Grace Michell and Charlotte Neal, who added an unbeaten 108 in 19 overs for their side’s first wicket.

SENIOR WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

There will be a comprehensive series of women and girls’ softball festivals across Cheshire this summer.

Cheshire continues to offer its wide range of umpiring and scoring courses.