A spectacular victory by Alderley Edge finally secured their place in the Cheshire Premier League for another season.
With two games still to go, Edge can relax and look to end the season on a high note against teams battling relegation.
The pitch at Urmston looked one that seam bowlers dream about after another week of terrible weather, with a distinct green touch to a damp-looking wicket that both teams would want to bowl on first.
Edge lost the toss and batted first. They looked to have major problems at 89-5 in the 30th over but Jason Whittaker and Charlie Reid put on a crucial 71 for the sixth wicket with Whittaker scoring a careful 42, and Reid finishing up on a match-winning 53 not out.
For the home side Adam Sydall and captain Sumit Panda exploited the conditions well with high-class swing bowling.
On a very helpful wicket, Edge’s 204-7 off 55 overs looked to be a touch above par and Urmston – with the additional pressure of their relegation battle – would have to bat well facing.
In fact not a single Urmston batsman scored double figures, with extras of 19 being the main contributor to an all-out total of just 68. Whittaker completed a good match with 4-29 off 12 overs, with overseas star Zaymn Chapman, in his last match for Edge before returning home, taking 3-9 off seven overs.
Edge won the match by 136 runs to end any possible relegation worries for the season.
With Macclesfield collapsing over the last two matches, Nantwich are now favourites to complete a hat-trick of titles, while at the bottom, Edge’s last two opponents, Toft and Didsbury, are embroiled in the relegation fight with Widnes looking the most likely to join them in the dreaded drop.
Alderley’s last home game of the season is against Toft next Saturday with more than just pride at stake for the visitors.
