Oakmere 2nd XI (121/7) Vs Runcorn 2nd XI (148/9)
The 2nd XI started their T20 campaign last week hosting Runcorn and losing the toss were made to field first. A controlled start by some tight bowling from Tom Court (1/11) led to him claiming the first wicket and was soon followed by one for Brandon Jones (1/32). The opposition at 7/2 began to rebuild adding 33 for the next wicket. Two more fell, both to Nathan Gee, in quick succession. Another 49-run partnership moved the score past 100 before Sean McDonnell (1/31) struck soon followed by George Warburton (1/23). A final push from the opposition saw the score surge forward despite another wicket for Gee (3/26) and two run outs to end the innings at 148/9.
The chase was on. An early wicket stunted the scoring rate at 14/1. Ian Eaton and Jones continued until Eaton (20) fell for and a few overs later Jones (20) followed. Wickets came at regular intervals, when Jack Pickering (15) fell at 73/4, two more wickets came for the next 9 runs. Lewis Newall (16) was the 7th to go after a partnership had begun to rally but the constant wickets made the scoring difficult. Hamish Warburton (17*) put on a resistive stand late on but the requirements were too great, and the innings ended at 121/7, 27 runs short of the target.
The 2nd team were knocked out of the cup in the first round and turn their attention back to Saturdays continuing their good form in the league.

Oakmere 1st XI 166 all out Vs Upton 1st XI 268/9
On this boiling hot Saturday, the 1st XI hosted Upton and with the sun beating down won the toss choosing to field first. Immediate success came as Worsdale claimed a wicket with the second ball of the match. Despite the hope of the god start, a 2nd wicket partnership began to grow. 42/1 off 7 overs had the visitors off to a good start but the bowling began to constrict the runs, and this brought with it more success. Conceding only 10 runs from the next 5 overs applied the pressure and Ethan Makin being brought into the attack reaped the rewards, claiming a wicket with his first ball and ending his first over as a double wicket maiden. At 52/3 off 13 overs the home side had some control back over the game. The pressure continued and Makins tight bowling brought further success as he claimed the 4th wicket in the 19th over. The score stood at 67/4 after 19. As the opposition looked to counterattack in the middle overs runs came but so did more wickets. Just before the halfway point Matt Holland and Sevi Cupido took one a piece and finished 25 overs at 105/6. A strong fight back after an expensive start saw the innings well poised. Some good batting made the most of the loosening bowling as the pressure eased with regular scoring shots. The partnership built well as the batsmen went through the gears and made it to the second drinks break 150/6 off 34 overs. A boundary drought for three overs before the 40th saw again the pressure applied to the batsman and once again the economical bowling brought a wicket as Mat Giles struck. With 10 overs remaining the score sat at 186/7. The score moved past 200 in the 43rd over and for the end stretch the batsman began to chance their arm. Boundaries began to flow again and the final acceleration came. With bowlers working hard in the heat Holland eventually found the next wicket in the 48th over and Cupido the final wicket in the 49th. 55 runs form the final 6 overs launched the score up past 250 and finally landing on 268/9.
A big chase was on the cards for the home side, and a perfect innings was required, but with a good batting pitch and heat around to impair the bowlers, it was not out of sight. The innings started slowly as with only 14 runs coming from the first 9 overs. As the opening pair began to get their eye in and build the platform the runs began to come. Unfortunately, James Norton (11) fell just outside of the powerplay to end the 32-run partnership in the 12 over. Worsdale continued as boundaries came for the opener, but another wicket fell soon and brought Cupido to the crease. Cupido and Worsdale began to build their partnership. 60/2 off 17 brought the first drinks break and with wickets in hand the team looked fair set. The pair continued to tick over and brought up the 50-run partnership. At the halfway point however, Cupido (19) fell and the partnership was broken. 101/3 after 25, left much work to be done in the second half and as the 4th wicket fell soon after the chase looked to be moving away form the batting side. Holland came to the crease joining Worsdale who soon after brought up his 50 to end the 28th over. Again, a partnership threatened the visiting side as the rate increased and boundaries began to flow but the resistance was halted when Worsdale was dismissed for 77 in the 34th over. At the second drinks break the side were 150/5 off 34 overs, with some wickets still in hand a final acceleration was still possible to see the team home. However, Holland (16) fell in the 36th over and regular wickets began to follow. Losing 4 wickets in 5 overs the side reached 163/9 off 40 overs. With over 100 needed from the last 10 overs the final pair made it to the 42nd over before the final wicket fell at 166 off 42 overs.
A difficult day out for the 1st XI saw a 102-run loss. With this result the side still remain 5th in the league and look to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they travel to Tattenhall.

Warrington 2nd XI (180/7) Vs Oakmere 2nd XI (179/9)
Oakmere 2nd XI travelled away to Warrington and winning the toss chose to bat first. The opening partnership continued to be a bright spot for the team with Dan Faulkner and Brandon Jones putting on 69 for the first wicket before Faulkner (32) fell. Jones continued with Ian Eaton adding a second 50-run partnership and struck his first 50 for the 2nd XI before being dismissed for 61 with the score at 139/2. After Eaton (34) was also dismissed soon after regular wickets began to fall and with some resilient batting from Mike Dodd (15*) and George Warburton (11) the score was helped up to 179/9 off 50 overs.
In the reply, Henri Shovelton (1/19) picked up an early wicket to help the defence. Corey Lewis (1/23) and Percy Bratherton (1/25) also chimed in with 1 a peace and left the opposition at 58/3. A difficult period saw a 50-run partnership move the batting sides score past 100 before Eaton picked up the breakthrough. Again, a long wait came for the next wicket which Jack Pickering claimed with the score at 159/5. Pickering picked up two more wickets to apply some pressure to the opposition as they neared the total however, 7 down they passed the target, finishing 180/7 off 41.5 overs.
The 2nd XI look to return to winning ways when they host Port Sunlight 2nd XI on Saturday.

Oakmere 3rd XI (83/2) Vs Warrington 4th XI (82 all out)
Going into week 7 still undefeated the 3rd XI looked to lengthen the successful run. They were made to field as Warrington won the toss. The home side got off to a great start with immediate success as the top order was blown away and in no time the score was 10/5. Harry Peters aided by Samorendra Singh (2/15) continued and flew through the opposition with Peters picking up his first 5 wicket hall for the club. The opposition moved to 28/7 as more wickets fell with Roger Pickering picking up another. Peters was not finished however and after some slight resistance from the Warrington lower order, finished the innings claiming 7 wickets for himself and figures of 8 overs 7 for 18. The opposition ended at 82 all out off 31 overs.
A brilliant bowling performance was followed up by a clinical batting display. Hamish Warburton and Peter Giles put on a 50 run opening partnership to break the back of the chase. The two were dismissed in quick succession and Isaac Brotherton and Zak Lewis took to the crease finishing the innings comfortably. The 3rd XI ended at 83/2 off 21 overs.
Maintaining the unbeaten form of the season the 3rd XI now sit 2nd in the league and look to continue this form

Oakmere Women’s 2nd (160/2) XI Vs Chester Boughton Hall Women’s 2nd XI (161/2)
The Women’s 2nd XI hosted Chester Boughton Hall on Sunday and losing the toss were asked to bat first. The opening partnership got the innings going strongly and after 5 overs the 1st wicket fell, and the score was 33/1 Rachel Tidd (37) and Maddi Lawson put on a 74-run partnership moving to 96/2. Lawson batted through to the end of the 30 overs finishing not out for 85 supported by Charlotte King (13). The pair moved the score to a competitive 160/2 off 30 overs.
The chase followed a similar pattern with a 26-run partnership before Kate Renshaw (1/14) claimed the first wicket. A 50-run second wicket partnership got the oppositions score moving towards the target before Carys Salomon (1/25) claimed the second wicket. At 89/2 the opposition continued batting and began to up the rate moving towards the target. With 36 needed off the final 6 overs the game was pushed close, but some good batting led to a victory for the chasing side. Finishing 161/2 off 28.1 overs the visiting side eventually got over the line.
The Women’s 2nd XI look ahead with some good signs from the match to press on and claim their first win, hosting Runcorn Women’s 1st XI on Sunday 14th.