North East Cheshire do the double

For the second week in succession Timperley faced North East Cheshire. On a hot day, North East Cheshire won the toss and took first use of what looked like another good batting wicket.

Usman & Sajja opened the bowling and kept Dyson & Bowdon from getting away quickly and Sajja soon had Bowdon caught behind for 9 in the 6th over to make it 31 for 1. Scragg joined Dyson and soon both were at ease against the Timperley attack scoring well without really getting ahead of the over rate. Usman was unlucky, bowling with swing and had two catches off Dyson dropped in the slips that would ultimately make for a comfortable win for North East Cheshire.

Scragg was caught by Gajanan for 30 at short mid wicket before Usman held a difficult one at wide long on to dismiss Dyson for 64. Waddington batted at 4 and patiently built an innings of 57 that significantly increased in pace the longer he was in, scoring 37 off the last 11 balls he faced. Turnbull was out for 30 Lbw to Raman and Mullany knicked off Usman for 14. North East Cheshire finished on 230 for 7 which was not too daunting a task considering the quality of the wicket. Timperleys fielding was not of the highest quality with 3 dropped catches and poor ground fielding most probably costing 60 runs or so. Even apoplectic outbursts of 'encouragement' at times from Usman could not stop the rot.

In reply Timperley's top order were kept in check by Benson & Wragg and were soon starting to feel the pressure. Bhatti was out caught slogging at Benson for 14 & Shah missed a straight one from the first ball of Williams spell to be Lbw for 11. From this point Williams bewitched the Timperley batsmen and bowled a spell of 10 overs, 9 maidens, 3 for 8 which clinched the game for the visitors. Too accurate and bowling with varied pace and air he was seldom hit off the square. A superb effort.

Khan missed a full bunger from Turnbull to be bowled for 20 and the game was pretty much up with Timperley 42 for 4 off 16 overs. Fisher came in and played nicely enough for an eventual 69 but never looked like taking the game away from NE Cheshire. Carr played a couple of good strokes in his 14 before falling to the imperious Williams. Some gentle wagging of the Timperley tail saw the innings close at 157 for 8.

Some tidier cricket throughout the match from Timperley might have made for a closer game but in the end North East Cheshire were well worth the points.