Hyde Retain Top Spot With Comprehensive Win

Skipper Danny Cranmer and opener Tom Partridge ensured Hyde remained top of the Cheshire County Premier League after a fine six wicket win at Oxton on Saturday. 

Cranmer took 6-34 and Partridge followed up his century last weekend with a superb 63 as Hyde returned from the Wirral with maximum points. 

But make no mistake whilst the pair may have stolen the headlines this was an excellent all-round team performance from Hyde.

After winning the toss Hyde decided to field first and they struck a crucial blow in just the fifth over when George Balderson had the dangerous Henry Dobson (10) trapped leg before wicket with 15 runs on the board. 

In the very next over Luke Young removed Alex Risk and Hyde were in a strong position on a cold and overcast afternoon. 

Matthew Jones and captain Luke Filer began to repair the damage but on a big ground, runs were hard to come by as Hyde's bowlers were well supported by some excellent fielding. 

With the score on 55, Cranmer claimed his first wicket of the afternoon; Filer (16) edging a sharp chance to Young who took the catch.

Charlie Barnard got rid of Mahdi Quadri shortly after and when Jones went for 30, Oxton had slipped to 66-5.  

Next to go was Jack Breheny for 10 and Oxton were in real trouble at 79-6. 

This became 100 for eight and then 124-9 as the Werneth Low men looked to wrap up the innings.

However, there was some resistance with Jordan Collier making 48 before he was the last man to go and Oxton were all out for 165. 

At the start of play Hyde would have taken chasing what appeared a fairly modest total, but there was a slight feeling amongst supporters Oxton had got a 30 more than they should. 

If there were any nerves in the Hyde ranks, they certainly didn't show as they batted sensibly against an opening attack led by former Australian test star Joe Mennie. 

Mennie bowled with great purpose but Tom Partridge and Luke Young showed their class to get Hyde off to a superb start. 

Both were watchful and seized on any bad balls as they made yet another half-century opening partnership. 

When Young went for a classy 38, caught in the deep by Mennie off Chris Stenhouse, Hyde had reached 61. 

This brought Balderson to the crease. Fresh from a fine performance with both bat and ball, for Lancashire in their County Championship victory over Warwickshire in midweek, he showed why he's so highly rated at Old Trafford with an innings of real quality. 

At the other end Partridge was more watchful but his patience was crucial as Hyde chased down the total and he reached his well-deserved 50 from 104 balls.

The pair added 74 for the second wicket and took Hyde to within 31 runs of victory before Balderson was caught for 40.
Hyde did lose three quick wickets, including that of Partridge and were 150-4 when David Fitzsimmons walked to the crease. 

He made sure there were no further alarms as he closed the game out with a six to seal the win. 

Next up for Hyde is Neston who travel to Werneth Low on Saturday. 

Final Score: Oxton 165ao   Hyde 167-4