Tattenhall 1st XI 166 all out Vs Oakmere 1st XI 217/9
This Saturday, the 1st XI travelled away to Tattenhall. With rain around threatening a day of repeated breaks the home side won the toss and decided to field first. The innings got off to a quick start with 4 boundaries in the first two overs however, a wicket in the third over put a dampener on proceedings. Runs continued to tick along before a second fell in the 7th over. Sevi Cupido came to the crease to join Matt Worsdale, and the flow of regular boundaries moved the score to 51/2 off 10 overs. The pair began to build a threatening partnership, but the regular flow of wickets continued and Worsdale (17) was dismissed in the 13th over. At 61/3 off 13 overs the scoring rate looked strong but there was a need for some middle order stability, with wickets fallen. Frank Herrington joined Cupido and the pair battled through a tough period, but the 25-run partnership ended in the 20th over as Cupido (41) was dismissed. The rate slowed as Matt Holland and Herrington (19) watchfully made their way to drinks but on the last ball before the break Herrington’s well fought innings came to an end. At halfway the score stood at 102/5. Aaron Court came to the crease and alongside the captain put on a much needed 50-run partnership. The pair batted excellently through the next 10 overs and provided a platform for the end of the innings. Holland (26) fell in the 39th and Court (28) followed 4 balls later. With the score after 40 overs at 157/7, the new partnership of Craig Phelan and Benedict Verma, worked hard through the final 10. With hard running and occasional boundaries, the score continued to move and after a sublime 4 back past the bowler, Verma was dismissed in the 47th over. 194/8 with 3 overs remaining saw Phelan take control and with 2 more lusty blows propelling the score forward. Finishing not out on 38 off 34 a final effort from Phelan pushed the score to 217/9 off 50 overs. A strong innings with contributions throughout saw a strong final score but on a good pitch, some tight bowling was required in the defence.
The second innings began with some tight bowling applying the pressure early and causing a wicket for Worsdale in the 5th over. A brilliant spell from Verma kept the pressure on the batsman and 4 maidens in the opening powerplay saw it end at 24/1 off 10 overs. The pressure continued as the tight bowling from the first change bowlers pushed the score further behind the required rate. Despite the tight bowling there was a drought of wickets and the 9 in hand continued to pose a threat. Eventually the pressure grew to large and brought the second wicket for Cupido (1/37) in the 23rd over to put the score at 65/2 off 23 overs. Requiring 153 from the remaining 27 overs the batters looked to press on and increase the scoring rate. Some boundaries began to come however, with more shots came wickets. Holland picked up the 3rd in the 28th over. The 6 overs from 31to 37 saw only 12 runs conceded and the restriction saw Ethan Mackin (4/20) claim 4 wickets in his fantastic return spell. A brilliant show of discipline with the ball and good catching in the outfield, saw the match swing in Oakmeres favour. In the 37th over the rain began to cause a disruption and a break with the score 122/7 off 36.3 overs, saw 3 overs lost from the innings and a revised target of 216. On returning to the field Worsdale (2/36) picked up the 8th wicket in the 39th over. With 8 overs left the home side required 80 runs. Conceding 20 off the next two, with a wet ball and worsening conditions some worry crept in and a refocus was required. Verma returned to the attack in the 43rd over and claimed the 9th wicket continuing from his earlier form. At 162/9 off 43 overs the required rate had climbed over 13 an over and Verma (2/17) put the game to bed in the 45th with the final wicket. The hosts finished 169 all out form 44.4 overs.
A brilliant all-round team performance saw contributions from all towards a 48-run win. The return to winning ways sees the 1st XI back in joint 3rd place in the league. Looking to build on this strong performance the 1st XI host league leaders Oulton Park, next week.

Oakmere 2nd XI (222/4) Vs Port Sunlight 2nd XI (125 all out)
The 2s returned home looking to get back to winning ways against Port Sunlight. Despite the overcast conditions, the pitch looked good, so Oakmere chose to bat first.
Purcell (25) and Jones (8) once again saw off the opening bowlers, putting on 50 for the 5th time in 6 innings together to give the middle order a platform. Gee and Eaton then put pay to the Port Sunlight attack - adding 66 in no time, with Gee contributing 48 off 48 balls before falling to a stunning catch leaving the score at 119-3. Faulkner (10) then supported Eaton, adding a partnership of 43, before Dodd then added 23 not out to a partnership of 60 with Eaton at the end of the innings. Eaton finished unbeaten on a fantastic 75 not out as Oakmere posted 222-4 which gave the bowlers a good total to defend. The innings was also notable for the bizarre dismissal of Faulkner - after a defensive stroke being concerned the ball might roll back to his stumps, panicked somewhat and in attempting to kick the ball away lunged at the ball and effectively half volleyed it onto the stumps.
What followed was a superb all-round bowling and fielding effort. No Port Sunlight player got more than 24, and a steady flow of wickets saw them bowled out for 125, Oakmere winning by 97 runs. Shovelton (2-29), Purcell (2-21) and Pickering (1-5) all contributed wickets, with Lewis and Court bowling threateningly but unluckily. Star of the show was Gee, with a first senior five wicket haul - taking 5-15 off 7 overs. The bowlers were supported by excellent catching - in particular stunning diving efforts by Court, Pickering and Faulkner.
Great effort all round by the whole team, and we move confidently to 2 consecutive away games - at Winnington Park and then Haslington.

Frodsham 2nd XI (189 all out) Vs Oakmere 3rd XI (67 all out)
Oakmere 3s visited Frodsham, up against a very strong line up. Winning the toss and choosing to bowl first Harry Peters continued his good form from last week in taking the first wicket supported by Percy Bratherton bowling at the other end. Sam Singh (1 for 31) was then introduced to the attack taking a further wicket and stemming the run rate supported by Sean McDonnell (0 for 19) who bowled well. It was great to see two under 13s Ben Hardie (0 for 23) and Zak Lewis (2 for 19) play together and coming on to bowl, with Zak taking his first senior wickets for the 3s removing two of their batters. The captain Ian Bett (2 for 15) then took two quick wickets to stem the runs with a further two wickets via run out through some great fielding by Percy Bratherton and Oli Butkowski. Harry Peters (2 for 29) and Percy Bratherton (1 for 47) each took a further wicket to end the innings with just 3 balls left in the innings. Frodsham finished 189 all out from 39.2 overs.
The response batting started well with George Warburton playing some beautiful shots in an innings of 33. Once George was out caught, regular wickets continued to fall with Oakmere all out for just 67 and a loss of 122 runs. This is the first loss of the season for the 3s against a very strong side so there was lots to be encouraged by and they look forward to getting back to winning ways again next week when they host Weaverham 2nd XI.

Oakmere Women’s 1st XI (112 all out) Vs Stockport Georgians Women’s 1st XI (173 all out)
The women’s 1st XI hosted Georgians on Sunday and winning the toss chose to bowl first. A good start saw early wickets and pressure applied to the batting side with the opposition trying o get ahead of the game and losing their top order quickly. Nat Lyons and Sarah Worsdale claimed 1 each and a sharp run out from Amy Jones got the innings underway. Thisumi Jayawarma added a 4th wicket coming ion first change and damage was done to the visitors. However, a well crafter middle order partnership swung the momentum back in the batter’s favour. With regular boundaries the score ticked along. The partnership as eventually ended by Kerry Hartnett who removed both set betters and the two who followed, stemming the run flow. Lyons and Jayarwarna both returned late on to claim another wicket a piece. The innings ended 173 all out off 40 overs.
In the chase the regular flow of wickets made scoring tricky. Phoebe Cottam and Hartnett made a decent start before both being dismissed for 11. Three more wickets fell in quick succession and Worsdale joined Jayawarna at the crease. The pair put on a good partnership building well before Jayawarna fell for a well made 31. 6 down the remainder of the batting order fell in quick succession with Worsdale left 18 not out at one end. The innings ended at 112 all out off 28.4 overs.
A tough outing for the Women’s 1st XI, leaves them 4th in the league looking to press on when they next play visiting Lindow on Sunday.

Oakmere Women’s 1st XI (126/6) Vs Didsbury Women’s 1st XI (128/6)
Playing back-to-back days, the Women continued their T20 campaign against Didsbury. Losing the toss the hosts were asked to field first. The innings started well and back-to-back maidens in the powerplay brought the first wicket for Sarah Worsdale (1/16) to end the 5th over at 16/1. The 2nd wicket partnership moved the team past halfway before a run out brought the breakthrough. At 98/2 off 15, regular wickets through the final 5 overs kept the score in check. Thisumi Jayawarna (1/17), Charlotte King (1/28), Kerry Hartnertt (1/18) picked up one each and a second run out for Hartnett lead to the score finishing 128/6 off 20 overs.
A strong bowling display saw a score well within reach for the chase. The chase started strongly with the powerplay ending 40/0 off 6 overs. The opening partnership passed 50 before Hartnett (19) fell. Jayawarna rebuilt with Phoebe Cottam. The 2nd wicket came in the 14th as Jayawarna was dismissed and the score stood at 89/2 off 14 overs. Needing 40 from the final 6 overs the game was well poised for a dramatic finish. Cottam was dismissed in the next over for a well made 48 and another wicket fell 2 balls later. Rachel Warrenger came in and kept the score ticking along taking 11 runs from the 16th over. The 5th wicket fella t the end of the 18th over and with two overs left the batting side needed 14 runs. Claiming 5 from the penultimate over left a tricky task of requiring 9 from the final over. The over saw a single come from every ball before a runout to finish the innings. Warrenger finished 18 not out and helped push towards the final total however, the innings finished at 126/6 off 20 overs, 3 runs short of the target.
A very exciting match with a tight finish again saw many positives for the side they will take into their next T20 when they travel to Lindow on the 24th of June.