Barns Storming Win

Another week, another victory as the First XI made it three out of three to move joint top of the Cheshire County Cricket League - 1st XI Division 2 after a convincing win at Hale Barns.

Skipper Jack Bagshaw lost his first toss of the season, but this barely had an impact on the outcome of the match as The Bears were put into bat and quickly went about establishing their dominance on proceedings.

A solid 45 run opening partnership laid solid foundations before returning opener David Cunliffe was removed by Dave Saddington (1-23 off 9) for 16. Bagshaw and Kevin Carroll continued to pile on the runs before Bagshaw fell victim to the first change bowler Sam Smith (3-40 off 9.2) just 5 short of his half century.

Carroll fell quickly after for just 9 as he became Smiths second victim and when Chris Hart Ali Buchan and Alex Edwards returned to the pavilion hardly troubling the scorers the visitors innings looked to be faltering at 108-6

While wickets were falling rapidly at the other end, AJ Hart quickly went about trying to bring the Brooklands innings back on track. He found a stable partner in Caleb Jones who, after his heroic batting performance the previous week, assisted Hart in steadying the ship as the pair put on a near fifty run partnership before Jones was dismissed by Joe Cooper (4-62 off 15) for a well fought 21.

Hart, who by now was looking to accelerate the innings was finally dismissed by Sam Smith (ct. Ben Smith) for an excellent 70 leaving the home side chasing 186 for victory.

Unfortunately for the home side, they never looked like reaching the target set for them as wickets began to tumble and it was the standout players of the first innings, Caleb Jones and AJ Hart that shone in the second.

Hart (4-29 off 9) started first and removed 4 of the Hale Barns top order whilst also running out the home sides skipper, Ben Hicks, and then left the rest of the work to Jones who, after removing the remaining opener, saw off the lower order, finishing with superb figures of 5 for 24 off just 10 overs.

A maximum 75 points for the First XI so far this season and they will look to keep the winning streak going against Didsbury in the first T20 match of the season at home on Thursday before hosting Christleton CC on Saturday 12th May at The BCG.