The Men’s 1st XI travelled away to Warrington on Saturday. Matt Holland won the toss and chose to bat first prior to the forecast rain. The innings started steadily with a handful of early extras helping the score to get moving. The first wicket fell at the end of the sixth over with the score on 15, bringing Josh Westwood to the crease. Westwood quickly got going and in partnership with James Norton upped the rate to the end of the powerplay and beyond. The pair put on 74 before Westwood was dismissed for a well made 39 in the 19th over. Two more wickets fell in the next over, including Norton for a hard fought 13, leaving the score at 89/4 off 20 overs. A strong platform had been set but wickets continued to fall with two more coming before the end of the 23rd over. At 102/6 off 23 overs, the innings was precariously placed. Matt Holland came to the crease and began to stabilise the innings despite another wicket falling just after the halfway point. At 114/7 off 26 overs, Benedict Verma joined Holland and the pair dug in to produce another vital partnership. Making full use of the bowling changes that came, the pair motored on and moved the partnership past 50. There was a delay for some rain, but the pair were soon back out. Verma (24) was eventually dismissed in the 41st over after a brilliant 65 run partnership which brought the score to 179/8. Holland continued to score and after witnessing the ninth wicket fall from the other end, continued to his half century before finally being the final wicket to fall for 51. The innings ended with the score on 196 after 45.2 overs.

A strong innings saw a good score posted on a tricky pitch, though, as always, a good fielding effort would be required to follow it up. The rain returned to delay the restart but eventually the team made their way to the field, defending 186 off 46 overs. Matt Worsdale struck with the first ball of the innings to get Oakmere off to the perfect start. Matt Howard (1/21) followed suit, taking the second wicket in the second over. At 7/2 off just 14 balls another rain delay put a stop to what had been an exciting start to the innings. Returning to the field after a final rain break, the revised target was 182 off 41 overs. The opening bowlers continued to plug away through the powerplay, with Warrington reaching 32/2 off 10 overs. Worsdale (3/29) continued and took two wickets in the 15th over to stunt the opposition’s rebuild. At 57/4 off 15 overs, Holland and Westwood (2/6 from 9 overs including 4 maidens) came into the attack, providing excellent control, conceding only one run in the next three overs before a double wicket maiden from Westwood put Oakmere firmly in control. At 58/6 from 19 overs, Warrington were struggling to get the scoreboard moving. The batting side faced plenty of dot balls and the score slowly moved to 64/6 off 25 overs. At this point, the batting pair decided to up the ante, and the partnership grew as the score passed 100. After 35 overs the score was 108/6, leaving Warrington needing 74 from the final 6 overs. Holland returned with Verma and the pair continued to apply pressure until the end of the innings, with Holland (1/22) picking up a wicket in the penultimate over. With 50 required from the final over, Verma saw it out and the score finished on 136/7 from 41 overs.

A very strong team performance and convincing win on a long, wet Saturday has seen the Men’s 1st XI climb to 2nd in the league table with two games left in the season. Looking to continue this form, the side will host Mobberley on Saturday in the penultimate game of the season.

Oakmere Men’s 2nd XI (132 all out) vs Urmston 2nd XI (136/1) – Urmston won by 9 wickets

The Men’s 2nd XI hosted promotion chasing Urmston at Overdale Lane on Saturday, with the visitors winning the toss and electing to bowl first. Openers Dave Purcell and Dan Faulkner got Oakmere off to a solid start, navigating through testing opening spells and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Their resistance ended in the 14th over when Faulkner edged behind for 24 with the score on 46. Ian Eaton added 12 before he dragged on and Purcell also feathered behind for 34 shortly after. At 98/6 Oakmere faced an uphill battle. Vice captain Paul Guilford and captain Mike Dodd added 33 and 16 before they were both dismissed as Oakmere fell to 132 all out.

Following a delay for some rain at the interval Oakmere headed into the field looking for early wickets but were met with solid resistance. Henri Shovelton and Corey Lewis bowled tightly early on with only 6 runs being scored from the first six overs, but after that Urmston’s batters got their eye in as Oakmere struggled in greasy conditions. Dave Purcell (1/19) eventually got a breakthrough for the hosts, but Urmston continued solidly and reached their target for the loss of just one wicket.

Bunbury 2nd XI (141/2) vs Oakmere Men’s 3rd XI (140/9) – Bunbury won by 8 wickets

The Men’s 3rd XI made the short journey to neighbours Bunbury on Saturday, winning the toss and electing to bat first. In search of quick runs early, Oakmere shook up the batting order, opening up with father and son duo Peter and Cameron Giles. The pair got Oakmere off to a solid start before Peter was trapped LBW for 11. Dan Gilbert (11) came in and supported Cameron, taking the score to the 50 mark before he was caught. Cameron carried on and reached 46 before he was bowled with the score reaching 76/3. Sam Domville added 11 before he was also trapped LBW and whilst wickets fell around him, Jack Pickering batted very nicely, finishing unbeaten on 43 from 51 deliveries as Oakmere posted 140/9 from their 40 overs.

Percy Bratherton (1/19) and Harry Peters bowled very nicely early on and were unlucky not to take further wickets as Bunbury passed the half century mark for the loss of just one wicket. Pete Giles (1/18) took the second wicket to fall with the score on 76, but as Oakmere threw the ball round in search of wickets, they were unable to find a further breakthrough as Bunbury reached their target in the 23rd over of the chase.