Alderley Edge’s first XI missed a great opportunity to register a second successive win on Saturday, this time against triple champions Nantwich.
Brilliant bowling by Jason Whittaker reduced the reigning title holders to 24-4, but a
recovery was launched almost single-handedly by Nantwich skipper Ray Doyle.
He made an outstanding 115, Whittaker finishing with 5-53 from 22 overs as Nantwich scored more than they initially looked like doing.
Nevertheless, it should not have been an especially daunting target on a good surface.
Unfortunately there followed an all too familiar top order collapse as six wickets fell in the first 15 overs.
Although Charlie Reid (48) led a fightback with good support from the lower order, the final wicket fell with nine balls remaining.
Happily for Edge though, the gods smiled on them more on Sunday with a one-wicket victory against Sale in Cheshire Cup third round.
Sale were restricted to 176-7 from 45 overs, Will Hardwick taking 5-33 on his final appearance for the club.
After tea, Alderley captain Alan Day kept his composure to make 84 not out with injured batsman Ben Lambert hitting the winning boundary from the last ball of the penultimate over, setting up a home match with Premiership leaders Neston in round four.
The second XI continue to fly the flag, their six-wicket victory at Nantwich taking them second in the league table.
Oliver Wildig’s half-century and Ben Heades undefeated 45 ensured that Nantwich’s total of 190 was passed with the minimum of alarm.
