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Triple threat

18/ 6/2008

Heaton Mersey 179-9, Alderley Edge 183-2 (Alderley Edge won by eight wkts) - THE ECB Cheshire Premier League title looks like it is developing into a three-cornered fight.

Alderley Edge, Bowdon and defending champions Oulton Park are the three teams in the frame after decisive victories last Saturday.

Edge were at bottom club Heaton Mersey, won the toss and decided to field first against a team struggling to cope with Premiership cricket after last season’s promotion and fielding the youngest side in the Premier League.

Edge had Lancashire fast-bowler Oliver Newby in the side for only the second time this season and, together with Cheshire’s Jason Whittaker, provided a destructive opening attack.

Newby returned figures of three for 38, whilst Edge’s overseas star Sohail Rauf also got into the action with four for 33.

Heaton Mersey were indebted to Australian Brenton Macdonald, who batted steadily for the home team after coming in at number four.

Macdonald went on to score an unbeaten 105 out of his side’s 179-9 declared at the halfway point, a reachable total and one that looked at least 50 runs below par.

Edge never looked in any trouble when they batted and it seemed just a matter of time before they overhauled Mersey’s total.

With opener Mark Currie batting superbly and Sohail Rauf joining the assault on the Mersey bowling, 147 was put on for the second wicket.

Rauf eventually went for 43, with Currie stranded on 97 not out when the target was reached after only 35 overs.

Edge collected 20 points for the win and are still 16 clear of second-placed Bowdon who they play next week in a crunch game.

Edge are also into the last eight of the league knockout cup after beating Bredbury St Marks last week in the Twenty20 competition.

With the second team involved in a thrilling, ultimately victorious, last-wicket run chase against local rivals Bramhall on Saturday, in a game yielding over 450 runs, it was a good day all round for Alderley’s title hopes.