While Wilmslow secured promotion with a hard-fought draw at Offerton, it was not, perhaps, achieved in a manner they would have wished for or deserved.
Credit must go to Offerton, but this was a poor performance from the title contenders.
For once, the bowlers didn’t fire and the normally reliable top order were 50-5 chasing a formidable total after Offerton’s 229-6.
With other results going their way Wilmslow were up.
They were in danger of suffering a first defeat of the season, but dug deep to secure that last crucial batting point, ending on 175-9.
Wilmslow Wayfarers completed a disciplined win over fourth-placed Knutsford, which sees them joint top with Wilmslow and also promoted to the Alliance Division One.
Bowling first, they restricted Knutsford to 152-5 with Mike Smith (4-54) the pick of the bowlers, aided by Luke Unsworth and Khateer Zeb.
The Wayfarers’ response stuttered to 35-4 before Thomas Matthews (24) wrestled some initiative back for Wayfarers. It took a captain’s innings from Luke Unsworth (49 not out) aided by Mike Smith (33 not out) to complete the win.
Meanwhile, Wayfarers’ second XI suffered a defeat to Appleton. Batting first they made 180 all out thanks largely to Phil Mape’s classy 52 and 34 from Dan Wright.
However, the bowlers failed to restrict the Appleton batsmen, as they reached the target with three wickets down.
Wilmslow’s seconds beat Old Parkonians after setting 228-6, Metzelaar and 16-year-old Chris Arnot scoring 71 each. Fifteen-year-old spinner Ed Hart then accounted for the middle order as Old Parks were all out for 169.
