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Cheadle are on a roll

31/ 5/2006

CHEADLE triumphed by six wickets against local rivals Cheadle Hulme on a cool, blustery afternoon at Kingsway on Saturday.

Paul Sperring's side have now recorded successive victories in the Cheshire County League.

Upon winning the toss, Hulme skipper Ewan McCray chose to bat first, a decision he must have been delighted with as openers Grindey and Shields made a flying start.

They added 58 for the first wicket inside 14 overs, before Shields was bowled by Pete Manser for 45.

The run-rate continued to hover around the four-an-over mark, with ex-Cheadle youngster Grindey making a fine 53, before Chris Brady and skipper Sperring applied the brakes with good line and length bowling, backed up by the usual Cheadle energy in the field.

The run-rate continued to fall and the wicket of Hulme skipper and big-hitter McCray at 144 in the 43rd over to a fine catch by Greg Dixon off the bowling of Chris Brady, proved pivotal in limiting Hulme to 179 for 6 declared off 50 overs, when at one stage 200-plus looked a real possibility.

Sperring's bowling figures of 3-22 off 13 overs reflected a fine effort from him with the ball, but he wasn't finished yet.

In reply, Cheadle were always in control with a measured and well-timed run-chase.

Requiring 180 from 50 overs, they set about their task in a positive, disciplined and determined way, with everyone in the top order making a contribution, none more so than that man Sperring. He led from the front with a hugely responsible effort.

Dropped early in his innings, he went on to make Hulme pay with an excellent knock of 74.

His partnership of 73 with Steve Hall for the third wicket laid the foundation for victory - Hall making a valuable 38.

It was left to Hall and Manser to see Cheadle home by six wickets, finishing on 183 for 4 in the 47th over. Manser hit the winning runs for the second week in succession with a tremendous blow for six over mid-wicket.

Maximum points for Cheadle cemented a top-four place in the division, but credit to both sides for a good game to watch played in a fine, competitive spirit.