Weekly Results from Cheshire Women's Cricket League

The pivotal week in the title race?

Division One – August 20:

Leigh v Stockport Georgians: The penultimate round of matches in the first division could well go down as the most decisive. Leigh started the day knowing two wins from two would see them retain their title. Instead, they are left to hope Oakmere do them a huge favour in the final round. Leigh managed just 94 here in reply to Georgians’ 140, with Amelia Sammons 3-20 the telling contribution in the second innings.

Didsbury v Upton: This emphatic win and Leigh’s slip up means Didsbury will require just seven points from their final match at Oakmere on September 10 to win their first league title since 2019. Roshini Prince-Navaratnam’s 84 and three supporting contributions in the 20s ensured the Manchester club kept up a good scoring rate throughout the innings. Without a spell of 4-12 from Chelsea McLerie, it could have been worse for Upton as well. Hannah Jones took two early wickets in reply and Didsbury never looked back, continuing to take regular wickets on the way to a 128-run win. With an appearance in both cup finals ahead as well, Didsbury are in strong contention to clinch the league’s first treble since Chester Boughton Hall accomplished it in 2013. Upton, meanwhile, now know they will finish bottom in the top-flight, and will return to division two next year unless the second division champions decline their promotion opportunity, or the league agrees to expand the first division.

Oakmere v Nantwich: Nantwich bounced back from a defeat to Upton seven days earlier to record a comfortable win here. Their title hopes effectively slipped away last week, but they are still on the verge of clinching a top three finish, indeed they will be runners-up if they win the final game against Leigh. Beth Hughes’ 4-14 was the best of several excellent bowling returns here as Oakmere were all out for 90, with Nantwich losing just two wickets in reaching the target.

Chester Boughton Hall v Appleton: Megan Cureton and Georgia Munro both scored 68 at around one run per ball as Chester amassed a huge 217. A massive victory was completed when Charlie Thompson and Jessica Jones each took three wickets during the reply, where Appleton reached just 46.

Division Two – August 20:

Greenfield v Hayfield: Greenfield recorded their first win of the season – other than a win by forfeit – as they comfortably beat Hayfield. Amelia Buckley, Grace Eaves and Megan Russell all played their part in keeping the scoreboard moving, as the Saddleworth club reached 168, despite Rhiannon Cowan’s six wickets. Greenfield then took regular wickets in reply, with no Hayfield batter passing 21, and the final total was just 120.

Oxton v Leyland: Leyland moved into third place with a comprehensive nine-wicket win. Abi Bates continued her excellent recent bowling form to dismiss the Wirral side for 70. May Hardy and Isobel Cordingley then contributed an unbroken second wicket stand of 62 in the reply.

Division Three East – August 20:

Buxton v Didsbury 2^nd XI: Buxton took a significant step towards the divisional title here. Lydia Slack’s 44 not out gave them some late impetus and took them to 148 in 30 overs, before Kelly Bunting and Helen Szostakowicz led the way with the ball to a 57-run win.

Division Four West – August 20:

Lindow 3^rd XI v Wistaston Village: One bowler from each side took four wickets in this low scoring affair. Alexandra Clinton recorded 4-14 in the Wistaston innings of 72, but Lindow managed just 51 in reply, where Emily Clamp bagged a return of 4-4.

Division Four East – August 15:

Hawk Green v Langley: An emphatic win for Langley as their title quest continues.

August 20:

New Mills & High Peak North v Langley: Langley were again in superb form, completing another 10-wicket win that means two wins from the last three matches will clinch the divisional crown. Ella Hirst and Jenny Wallace took seven wickets between them here.

Heaton Mersey & Cheadle v North East Cheshire: On a day of several one sided matches, this very much bucked the trend as the two teams ended tied on 91 from their 20 overs. It seemed that a late cameo from Becky Scholes would take North East over the line, but Ellie Pagan then duly bowled her third maiden of the day, claiming one wicket for herself, while three of the home side’s batters were run out.

LEAGUE TABLES

Other tables

NATIONAL COMPETITIONS

National Plate Final – August 20:

Porthill Park Northern Stars v Moreton Mavericks: Porthill are national winners of the Plate for a second year in succession. Matilda Atherton-Gater and Tilly Kesteven made 52 and 41 respectively at more than a run per ball as the Stars posted a formidable 142. Moreton’s reply quickly faded away after a good start at 38-0 and they fell 19 runs short.