CRICKET: Upton 169, Poynton 157-9 (Match drawn)
SOME poor fielding, a failure to work good bowling around effectively and their weak tail cost Poynton victory at home to Upton.
The London Road ground was Poynton's fortress in 2006, but they have only one home win so far this time around.
It had all looked so different with Upton on 44-4 from 26 overs.
But then 19 came off the final two overs of Antonio Mayers and his miserly opening partner Simon Turner, and this was the cue for the visitors to hit 125 in the final 24 overs.
Alex Cotter overcame a slow start to play some fine strokes to lead with 44, Rob Wicherly blasted 41 and some vital late runs came from Ian Sharrock (21).
Mayers returned in the final overs to complete a fine analysis of six for 37, with four wickets falling to his excellent slower ball.
Poynton started slowly and lost wickets early in their reply, so that when last week's batting stars Brian Kingham and David Watkins came together, over five an over was needed with six wickets left.
Initially they carried on where they left off last week, but eventually the pressure applied by tight bowling from the likes of Ian Linwood and Sharrock told as Watkins fell for 41.
Poynton's remaining batsmen failed to contribute much after this point, and although Kingham was able to complete a second successive 50, Poynton settled for the draw, declining the challenge of 14 from the last over with only one wicket left. Sharrock ended with fine figures of four for 35.
BANK Holiday Monday (August 27) sees two significant events involving Poynton Cricket Club.
A Poynton squad, including a few special guests, will play in a triangular tournament at the Recreation Ground against local rivals Bollington and Macclesfield.
The three sides play three 15-over matches against each other with the top two contesting the final over 20 overs.
A bar, barbecue, commentary and music will be provided.
