Galley top scored with 82 enjoying an important partnership with fellow club stalwart Nathan Brown as the first team won by three wickets against a spirited Bowdon.

And while that drama was unfolding at Stockport Road in front of a 300-plus crowd, the seconds skipper Shahnawaz "the Doc" Khan claimed SIX wickets as well as 29 runs with his team winning by just one run against Didsbury's second string at Mere.

Shahnawaz said it was his best ever bowling performance but went out of his way to praise the young players in his team who got their reward for their tenacity.

Galley meanwhile described the game with derby rivals Bowdon as "feisty".

Galley said: "Chris Page and Jono Fowler opened the bowling and set the tone well for us with some good disciplined bowling with both getting some early scalps to leave our visitors at 39-3 and in a bit of trouble."

"Following Brown from the Stockport Road end was Callum Yates who bowled a sublime nine overs on the bounce offering great control. We managed to constrict Bowdon to a final total of 216.

"We certainly fancied our chances for the chase and wanted to set a good platform against Bowdon's highly skilled opening bowlers. Despite an early start with good promise and a good run rate courtesy mainly of Jonathan Fletcher with 27 off 19 balls, Timperley fell to 81-6 off 15 overs - well ahead of the run rate but still needing a daunting 135 runs with four wickets remaining. "

Galley added: "Timperley showed great discipline and skill, and gritty batting from Nathan and I suppose me! We set a 133 run record breaking 7th wicket partnership for the 1XI which ended on 214-7.

"I looked to finish the game in style with a silly trademark switch hit that ended up top edged and caught. But to be fair the hard work was already done, Nathan finished the job and hit the winning runs to complete a great all round performance. "

Next up on Saturday, the first teams are at Chester Broughton Hall while the seconds host Sale.