Leek CC 1st XI v Little Stoke CC 1st XI (16th May) – North Staffs and South Cheshire League Premier Division A
Little Stoke visited high-flying Leek expecting a tough time – and so it proved to be. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first but were 8-1 in the 7th over as Dave Ecclestone became the first of Greg Willott’s three victims. As George Harding and Joshua Hudson continued to restrict the visiting batsmen, Little Stoke wickets fell at regular intervals with only opener Richard Adams(51) and James Ecclestone (28) offering any resistance. The visitors were eventually all out for 117 in the 39th over. For the home side the best bowling came from the impressive Hudson (4-32), Willott (3-35) and Harding (3-26).
In reply, Leek were in rampant mood and despite Dan Richardson claiming the early wicket of George Sellars for just 11, they raced to 120 without further loss to secure a comfortable nine-wicket victory from just 19 overs. The unbeaten batsmen who saw them home were Alex Mellor with 64 and George Harding with 38.
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Little Stoke CC 2nd XI x Caverswall CC 2nd XI (16th May) – North Staffs and South Cheshire League Premier Division B – 2015
Little Stoke 2nd XI took on Caverswall at The Sid Jenkins Ground and having won the toss, elected to bat. Openers Andrew Hurd (55) and Jack Leese (51) gave the home team a dream start and when Hurd was eventually bowled by Paul Jolley, new batsman Josh Renshaw continued the onslaught with a stunning 70 from just 45 balls including nine 4s and a 6 which hit the clubhouse windows! The Little Stoke declaration came in the 44th over with the score on 230-6. Caverswall’s best bowling figures came from Tom Caton with 4-58.
Caverswall set out cautiously and frustrated the home attack despite a low run rate. Eventually, Paul Allen made the breakthrough with Mat Phillips taking the catch to remove Lee Wainwright. Little Stoke then took control and Caverswall wickets fell frequently as the target looked evermore academic. A late flurry from Jolley with 28 and an unbeaten 35 from Bryn Judge gave the visitors some hope but they were all out for 116 as Little Stoke claimed an impressive 114-run victory as they sit proudly on top of the table.
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