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Gloom for frustrated Poynton

25/ 6/2008

Poynton...............................226-6
Bramhall.............................148-8

The 23rd century of a remarkable career by veteran campaigner Brian Kingham lit up a gloomy afternoon.

But it was the weather that had the final say as the umpires took the players off with three overs remaining, denying Poynton the chance to grab the two wickets still required.

In producing their highest total of the year, an impressive 226-6, Poynton’s batsmen were into their stride early, punishing some variable length bowling.

Damian Stringer (27) batted well and he and Kingham added 61 for the second wicket, but the best partnership, of 112, came from Kingham and Nafees Din.

Kingham cut and pulled superbly and, after a slow start, Din’s trademark straight drives soon spurred him to his first Poynton half-century. Kingham finally fell for 106 in 133 balls with 14 fours.

Even with Bramhall reduced to 38-4 chasing a formidable total, Poynton were counting no chickens, as this brought together county wicketkeeper Matt Dawson and Cheshire captain Andrew Hall, one of the country's finest batsmen outside the first-class game.

But for long periods, Hall struggled, unable to make contact with many swinging deliveries from Simon Turner.

Hall fell to Jamie Maltman for 32, ending Bramhall’s hopes, but Poynton couldn’t dislodge Dawson, who was unbeaten in 32 overs in a dogged 61.

Derwin Thompson returned the best figures with four for 35.

l Poynton exited the Fred Graham Twenty20 Cup after a nailbiting second-round tie against Timperley.

After a poor start, Thompson (46) led Poynton to 131-8.

Rick Clark then produced an analysis of three for 12 to leave Timperley in trouble, but from 82-8, their lower order saw them home by one wicket with a ball to spare.