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Match Reports for 2008 Season
Match Reports for Week Ending 17/08/2008
ECB Cheshire Premier League
Neston 157 all out
Alderley Edge 159-5
Alderley Edge won by 5 wickets
Alderley Edge took another significant step towards a league and cup double in the ECB Cheshire Premier League with a vital win at Neston last Saturday as they dodged the showers that could have cut their lead at the top of the table.
Captain Mark Walker won his first toss in eight league matches and chose to field first on the Wirral at a ground where Alderley have had a run of poor results in recent years. With Neston at 72 for 5 in the 28th over that decision already looked a good one, with fine swing bowling from Edge’s overseas star Sohail Rauf earning him an important 3 for 45 return from 15 overs. For Neston, only veteran captain Stan Clifford batted with the necessary determination to preserve his wicket, which eventually earned him a fine 59 not out. With the pitch taking spin, Edge eventually turned to spinners Adam Wildig and Alan Day to try to finish off the Neston innings. The spin option paid off as Wildig took 2 for 30, and Day 3 for 25, as Edge took a decisive advantage at tea with the home side bowled out for a modest 157 in 58 overs.
Edge got off to a flier when they batted, posting 49 without loss in just 7 overs, with former Lancashire batsman Mark Currie in tremendous form. The biggest threat to an Edge victory looked to be the weather, with the visitors having to keep a high scoring rate to get the match finished as soon as possible. Left arm spinner Paul Stimson claimed 4 for 52 for the home side but Edge got home for the loss of five wickets in the 29th over with Currie hitting a masterful 84 not out, and Sohail Rauf 30, to secure a vital win for Edge who retain their 33 point lead at the top of the table.
With four games left to play, all at home, Edge’s fate is in their own hands, with only Bowdon and Nantwich in a position to deprive them of their dream of a first Cheshire Premier League title, which would in fact complete a league and cup double after Edge’s superb win in the league 20/20 cup tournament two weeks ago. Edge play Hyde at Moss Lane next Saturday with a 12.30pm start.
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