Review: Cheshire Women's Cricket League

Here's what's been happening in the Cheshire Women's Cricket League.

Division One – June 20:

Oakmere 153 (39; Shami Ahmed 60, Eleanor Brennan 5-22, Emma Royle 2-31) (25pts)

Stockport Trinity 132-7 (40; Ellie Mason 82, Sarah McCann 32, Natalie Lyons 5-6, Dawn Prestidge 2-10) (9pts)

Unbeaten Oakmere negotiated one of the major hurdles in their quest to regain the Championship. Natalie Lyons was their outstanding performer, conceding just six runs in eight overs and claiming a five-wicket haul along the way. For Trinity, Ellie Mason continued her outstanding run of scores, but the team’s attempt to get over the line was frustrated by a string of low individual scores from others. Eleanor Brennan cemented her reputation as one of the league’s rising stars with her second five-wicket haul in a matter of days.

Porthill Park 155-9 (40; Ilenia Sims 59, Amy Griffiths 29, Zara Matthews 2-29) (9pts)

Didsbury 157-8 (39.4; Rosie Davis 44*, Roshini Prince-Navaratnam 31, Mishel Jeena 24, Matthews 21, Sims 3-33, Lucy Shenton 3-34) (25pts)

Didsbury remain on top for now though but got home with just two wickets and two balls remaining as Porthill came the closest they have so far this year to breaking their duck in Division 1. Didsbury illustrated the depth in their team by using nine different bowlers and still restricting Porthill to less than four per over. The reply began with an opening stand of 60 between Roshini Prince-Navaratnam and Mishel Jeena, but then regular wickets started to fall, with Sims continuing her excellent match with three wickets. Ellie-Mae Davies also bowled her eight overs for just four runs to add to the pressure. However, Rosie Davis played a great anchor role to see her side home.

Appleton 139-9 (40; Holly McCurrie 35, Sami Fowler 34*, Daisy Cooke 4-26, Gemma Rose 2-9) (5pts)

Chester Boughton Hall 140-2 (34.4; Katie Bennett 52*, Ali Cutler 33, Megan Cureton 22*, Nicole Fisher 20) (25pts)

Chester completed a fourth win in five with eight wickets and more than five overs in hand. Gemma Rose took some early wickets and Daisy Cooke claimed some scalps at the end of the innings to limit Appleton to 139, a target which never troubled Chester.

Division Two – June 20:

 Stockport Georgians 79 (25.5; Becky Scholes 15, Amelia Sammons 3-14, Amanda Gettins 2-14, Beth Caunce 2-25) (3pts)

Ashton-on-Mersey 83-1 (19.2; Claire Anderton 39*, Caunce 26*) (25pts)

The form book was turned on its head as Ashton recorded their first league win of the year and consigned Georgians to their first league defeat. For the first time this year, Georgians lost early wickets and never properly recovered, and some composed batting from Claire Anderton and Beth Caunce completed the small run chase.

Upton 123-7 (35; Amy Jones 29, Sophie Morris 208, Alexa Harrison 2-18, Freya Davies 2-18) (6pts)

Oxton 127-3 (31.4; Harrison 47*, Molly Price 43*) (25pts)

Upton also lost their 100 per cent record as Oxton recorded their third win, with an unbeaten stand of 96 between Alexa Harrison and Molly Price seeing them home. Division 2’s title race looks wide open at present, with Oxton top of the pile but able to be overtaken by all but one of the other teams if games in hand were won.

Division Three East – June 15:

 Lindow 104-5 (20; Claire Ashworth 40*, Michelle Hesslegrave 24) (7pts)

Didsbury 2^nd XI 107-3 (20; Rosie Davis 53*)

A second last ball finish of the night – see also the T20 Divisional reports below – where Rosie Davis and Chloe Hawes put on 41 undefeated for the fourth wicket to see Didsbury home.

June 20:

Woodley 88-9 (30; Alex Wilson 24, Lily Humphreys 3-13, Lily Beckley 2-12, Ellie Arkelaos 2-20) (25pts)

Lindow 68 (25; Jo Seeddon 20, Louise Hughes 3-17, Wilson 2-5) (6pts)

Woodley edged a low scoring contest to maintain their unbeaten league run.

T20 DIVISIONAL COMPETITION 

Western Division – June 14:

Oxton 68-4 (20; Tessie Nickson 30ret)

Oakmere Kats 72-0 (10.1; Phoebe Cottam 32*, Kerry Hartnett 30ret)

Oakmere completed this comprehensive win – their second of the competition - in just half the available overs. Sophie Connor’s four over spell, conceding just five runs, led the way as only Tessie Nickson broke the shackles during the first innings.

June 15:

Chester Boughton Hall Deemons 131-4 (20; Ali Cutler 30ret, Megan Cureton 27, Nicole Fisher 20*, Georgia Heath 2-23)

Appleton Tigers 134-7 (20; Heath 33ret, Sami Fowler 22, Emma Barlow 20, Cutler 4-5)

This amazing match saw Appleton break the competition record for the highest successful run chase. Georgia Heath (33 from 22 deliveries) and Sami Fowler started the recovery from 56-5 and Olivia Horsfield finished the job with an unbeaten 11 from eight deliveries. The Tigers scored a remarkable 76 runs in the final eight overs, including a four from the final ball when two were required. It meant that Ali Cutler ended on the losing side despite reaching the retirement score from just 13 deliveries and then contributing a fantastic bowling spell. This is also Appleton’s second win of the competition and a possible decider against Oakmere awaits on July 19, but Nantwich are still in contention for top spot as well.

Eastern Division – June 16:

 Stockport Trinity Fire 149-1 (20; Ellie Mason 33ret, Carys White 30ret, Kate Harvey 30ret)

Woodley 67 (15.1; Abby Barlow 23, Eleanor Brennan 5-9, Mason 2-7)

After a powerful batting display, Eleanor Brennan set the seal on this victory as Trinity made a winning start to their defence of this competition.

June 17:

Didsbury Swordettes 188-6 (20; Hannah Jones 30ret, Rosie Davis 30ret, Emma Jackman 27, Zara Matthews 25)

Ashton-on-Mersey 66 (16.5; Claire Anderton 34*, Rosy Wilson 3-12, Matthews 2-12)

For all their successes in other competitions, Didsbury have never won this trophy. However, they started their 2021 campaign in the strongest possible way by smashing the competition record for the highest team score. Hannah Jones and Rosie Davis - both with 30 from 20 deliveries - and Zara Matthews with 25 from 14 were the fastest scorers in this run fest. The overall record for the highest team score in a CWCL T20 competition remains the 194 made by Appleton against Hyde in the Knockout Cup in 2012.