Check out the latest Cheshire Cricket League results for all the action and updates from Week 20
CREDIT: Cheshire County Cricket League
Week 20 – The first champions and promotions were confirmed on a weekend when the weather played a
significant part, and Chester BH 2s retained their T20 trophy.
PREMIER DIVISION
The Premier Division trophy headed to Wilmslow Rd for the second time in four seasons as Didsbury completed a clinical victory over Neston, and Nantwich, the 2024 champions and the only side that could catch Nick Anderson’s men, lost to Alderley Edge, taking just 4 pts in the process. So the celebrations
started at a soggy Didsbury as Anderson himself, having earlier taken 3-1 to wrap up the Neston inns for 121 inside 32 os, hit the winning boundary just as the rain started to get a little heavy, sparking joyful scenes. Having won all nine of their win-lose fixtures, Didsbury’s terrific form has kept them out in front and led them to a deserved championship. Since the 2020 (Covid) season, Didsbury have finished second, first, second, third and now first in an impressively consistent time.
As for Nantwich, a frustrating and unusually trophy-less season finally hit the buffers when their formidable batting lineup had a total off-day, folding for 99 when set what looked a very gettable 140 after AE hadn’t exactly flourished with the bat either. In the relegation zone after week 5, the Dabbers’ slow start ultimately scuppered their title defence, despite a really strong run of league form from that point. They will contest the runners-up spot with Hyde, who reached 262-9 in their 50 overs against Timperley at Werneth Low, Adam Worrall’s sparkling 75 (54 bs) the highlight, before the lowlight of persistent rain which forced an abandonment.
And so attention turns to a fascinating relegation scrap, although for the teams involved it will be a fraught and tense couple of weeks. Despite their loss, Neston’s wonderful August run has left them needing just 6 pts to be assured of staying up, with the other three struggling sides all losing on Sat and separated by just three pts. Bowdon are bottom, coming unstuck at inconsistent Brooklands despite a heartening late rally with the bat after being put in. James Bottomley and Tom Bramhall whacked 55 off the last 5 to set Brooklands 242, but youngster Christian Jacobs chose his moment to end a modest season, hammering 104 off just 68 bs (8×6, 10×4) as Brook raced to their DLS-adjusted target of 223 with some 8 overs unused. Widnes, at the wrong end all season, chose a bad day to visit Lindow, the hosts powering past 300 for the third time in the past four matches, this time Sam Battersby (80) the main man after an opening stand of 126 in 15.3 os between Jamieson Hedges (46) and Olly James (57) set the tone. Isaac Brooks then moved to the top of the Divisional wicket-taking column, his 3-29 making it 49 victims in the league this season as Widnes stuttered to 167-9 in their reduced allocation of 27 overs, losing by 51 runs on DLS.
As for Oxton, they remain just outside the drop zone, two pts clear of Widnes after picking up six pts in a rain-affected loss to Chester BH. Warren Goodwin hasn’t hit a half-century this season but his imperious 122 (146 bs) was his second ton of 2025, made in a shade under four hours as he stood head and shoulders above the rest, CBH 233-9. Rain wiped five overs off Oxton’s allocation but they still got nowhere near their revised 224 target, the CBH attack far too potent. However, Oxton hold their fate in their own hands, and with Bowdon facing Didsbury next week and then Widnes travelling to Wilmslow
Rd on the final day, Oxton will feel that one win could be enough. They travel to Timperley before entertaining Neston.
Check out all the 2025 Premier League 5fers & More HERE
Division 1
After a two-season sojourn in Div 1, Cheadle ensured a return to the top flight with a crushing win over already relegated Davenham. Ben Broadhurst and Will Holmes took five wkts each as only Matt Jamieson of the Davenham batters reached double figures, making an entertaining 45 (37 bs) out of a total of 82. Skipper Josh Dooler hit the winning run in the 18th over to confirm promotion and avoid any rain-related jitters as the weather closed in around the region. Bramhall were every bit as ruthless, requiring just 12.5 os to knock off the 112 they needed to beat Grappenhall (Jack Clarke 69* off 39 bs), leaving Nick Cantello’s men just 12 pts away from elevation to the Prem after a seven year absence. Interestingly, during their last Prem season back in 2018, Bramhall were relegated along with Didsbury! They entertain Cheadle next week before travelling to Davenham on the final day.
Macclesfield, the only side who could catch Bramhall, ran into one of the form sides and came up short, Stockport Georgians continuing their August flourish with a fourth straight win. Macc were put in and totalled 231-9, Alex Thompson hitting 5×6 and 6×4 in his 77 which took 91 bs in total and skipper Jack Massey making 53. However, spinner Oliver Ormerod nipped out the recently-contracted Lancs man Joe Moores for just a single as the SG attack did well to keep a check on the rate, and when Ned Bailey cracked his way to a splendid second ton in four matches, SG’s adjusted target of 184 off 36 was reached with 8 overs to spare. Bailey finished 102* off just 79 bs (5×6, 13×4). Macc have Port Sunlight and Sale left to play, and can only win and hope.
Elsewhere, Toft’s James Hodgson ensured his side’s first ever league trip to Port Sunlight would be memorable, wrapping up the PS inns with a hat-trick (ending with 5-38) as the hosts were all out 218. PS skipper Simon Melberzs led from the front with 81 but would have been disappointed as his side fell away from 108-1 in the 29th. Scott Craig’s 65 and some handy middle-order twenties kept Toft ahead of DLS as the rain started to fall, Toft 5 runs ahead when play was finally halted and taking the 20 pts. At Dane Rd, Tyrone Lawrence hit a fourth half century of the campaign, his 65, along with a late 42* from Robert Grant, taking Sale to 216-8 against Maritime, who shared the load between eight bowlers. Maritime only had chance for six overs before rain prevented any further play. It was a similar tale not so far away at Urmston, where the match was abandoned at halfway. Despite seven double-figure knocks, it was extras who top-scored for Marple in their 170 total, but the hosts had no opportunity to reply
Division 2
In Div 2 Alvanley claimed the divisional crown and ensured they can enjoy a relaxing September as they contemplate a return to Div 1 after a two season absence. They did it properly too, beating nearest rivals Bollington on a rain-affected afternoon in a tough contest. Put into bat, Alv grafted to 187-9 in their allocation, Ben Rayner top scoring with 51. Needing an adjusted 164 off 38 os, Bolly found it just as tough, the usually fluent Andrej Yaksender falling for just 12 off 35 bs and skipper Rick Hough making 45 off 80. Corey McCarthy’s 4-29 was the leading contribution as Bolly were all out 128 to ensure a lively night in the Alv clubhouse. Bolly need 13 more pts from their remaining two matches (NE Cheshire and Christleton) to join Alvanley in Div 1 after three seasons away.
As for the other promotion hopefuls, it’s all gone wrong for Romiley at the worst possible time, consecutive defeats leaving them relying on others slipping up (and their own form recovering).
On Saturday it was defeat at struggling Ashton OM of all places which dealt a body blow to Romiley’s hopes of going up, unable to capitalise on Bolly’s defeat as the hosts sprung a surprise. Tom Jenkinson made 58 and Fraser Hay 40 as AOM totalled 218-8 in their 50, Hay then doing early damage with the ball as Romiley slid to 35-4, Zaheer Khan polishing it off with 4-23 as the visitors were all out 132 in just 27 overs. For Ashton, a second win in three keeps alive their survival hopes, with next week’s clash between their relegation rivals Haslington & Stockport taking on even more significance. Haslington did themselves a power of good by beating Christleton, Dean Mitford’s first half-century of the season coming at the perfect time as his side held off the early pressure in their reply to 150, Jack Taylor’s earlier 4-31 leading the way. Stockport’s seventh successive loss makes them prime candidates for the drop, the visit of Cheadle Hume on Saturday another deflating day for the home side. Big Scott Howarth’s pace proved too much in the early stages as Stockport staggered to 29-4, and although the lower order fought hard, their 129 wasn’t enough as CH reached their revised target of 105 with 12
overs in hand, keeping alive (just) their faint promotion hopes. In the other games Chris McArthur’s 85 (his seventh half-century of 2025 along with two tons) took Upton to 245-7 in a rain-affected encounter with Oulton Park, OP set 209 off 27 overs when things cleared up but never in the hunt as they ended on 120-8. At Poynton, NE Cheshire got from 115-5 to 230-8 against a careless Ashley side who bowled 29 wides, but the rain swept in at the interval and that was that
Division 3
Div 3 saw tattyfilarious celebrations at the Flacca as long-time leaders Tattenhall confirmed their ascent to Div 2 in style, thumping promotion rivals and
near-neighbours Barrow by 111 runs. Having made nine 50+ scores in 2025, Corey Bovey finally got into three figures, hitting a wonderful 123* (122 bs) as
he and Adrian Waddelove (42*) crashed 70 off the last 7 os to power Tatt to 285-7. Despite losing five overs, Barrow were well short of their revised target, Waddelove claiming the key wkt of Logan Malthus. Barrow slipped back to third, now five pts behind Oakmere, who had skipper Matt Holland (51) to thank as they got from 114-7 to 196 at Warrington, who shipped 50 extras before stumbling to 136-7 in pursuit of a revised 182. Heaton Mersey’s stop-start season revived again with a 46 run win over struggling Mobberley, Mersey to fourth and just eight pts behind Oakmere, with the clash between those two sides on the last day looking of great importance. If Oakmere can beat Mobberley next Sat they will go into that game as favourites, but Barrow, who play Mobberley on the last day and take on Warrington (who are not totally clear of danger just yet) next Sat will be looking to do all they can to nick second. You will gather that Mobb, 22 pts from safety, are up against it to survive, but Middlewich, who they are hoping to catch, have a couple of ticklish games themselves, and coming off defeat at the hands of Runcorn they will be taking nothing for granted. Their last game is at Over Peover, who lost at Hawk Green on Sat and need snookers to stay up – but they have nothing to lose, with Winnington Park (who beat Hale Barns on Sat) their next opponents.
2ND XI CRICKET
Didsbury took a major step towards retaining their Prem title after beating nearest challengers Toft in an excellent contest at Booths Park. Jack Hastings’ 83* was the biggest of several useful contributions as Dids totalled 272-6 after being put in. Toft reached 109-2 in reply before the decisive passage as Dids fought back to dismiss them for 213, and now knowing that one more win will ensure top spot. At the foot, a magnificent 123 from Neston’s Ian Gill helped his side to 219-9 in their relegation clash with S.Georgians, who folded for 127 in reply, the sides swapping places in the drop zone. Neston are 15 pts away from Hyde, who picked up a solitary point after a heavy loss at Chester BH, and a nervous September awaits as a result. Hyde entertain Timperley next Sat, Neston travel to Cheadle while Georgians go to Brooklands. Widnes are not mathematically safe after losing at Brooklands (Louis Burns made 90 for Widnes and Susanshu Rajshetty 95* for Brook) but with a 26 pt cushion it is hard to forsee them having too much to worry about.
Div 1 a dramatic day saw just 12 pts separating four sides at the top. Having been top since week 3, Lindow were deposed by Upton, who reached their DLS target at Macclesfield. Lindow were watching Maritime get from 122-6 to 222 at Bromborough before falling away from 88-2 to 138 all out, Maritime one of the four teams in the mix. Lindow travel to Upton next week in the big game before Maritime host Upton on the final day. Alvanley make up the promotion quartet, back to third now after losing a thriller at Bramhall by 1 wkt. The relegation clash went decisively the way of Marple, who thrashed Heaton Mersey by 10 wkts and now have a 24 pt cushion from the drop zone.
In Div 2, champions Alderley Edge suffered a watery reverse at home to Warrington, while three clubs chasing the other promotion spot (Romiley, Urmston and P.Sunlight) are just three pts apart. At the foot it’s pretty well game over for Stockport, 38 pts from safety, while Oulton Park are odds-on to go down with them after a heavy loss to Ashton OM, for whom Tom Scott made 113*.
Div 3 congratulations to both Ashley and Winnington Park, Ashley just holding off a gutsy Tattenhall fightback from 107-6 chasing 225 to win by 2 runs, W.Park much more comfortable in their 7 wkt triumph at Chester BH. Danny Caddick made 108 and George Crabtree 90 as Christleton beat N.E.Cheshire, climbing out of the bottom two after Davenham conceded their game at Bollington and went into the drop zone as a result. Christleton’s three pt advantage could prove crucial – they face Oxton and Ashley in their last two games.
CREDIT: Cheshire County Cricket League
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