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Hulme hang on and frustrate bowlers

17/ 7/2008

DIDSBURY’S great run of results in division one of the Cheshire County Cricket League was halted by a Cheadle Hulme side needing points for survival.

Hulme skipper Ewan McCray inserted Didsbury on the greenest wicket seen for many years, only for Didsbury’s opening pair of Trevor Gane and Marcus Fisher to give their side a solid foundation.

Gane hit a superb 77 and Fisher 28 before ex-Didsbury star Chris Mawdsley showed his abilities on a pitch that was tailor-made for his medium pace swing bowling.

He ended with 6-42 as Didsbury batted for two overs more than their allocation of 50 before they were finally all out for 152.

Their attack then set to work on the Hulme batsmen, reducing their reply to rubble early on.

Pete Manser (5-53) and Andrew Windle (3-20) did the damage as Cheadle Hulme slumped to 20-5, but the visitors’ lower order showed great resilience to hold out for a draw on 106-8.

Didsbury’s seconds ended their recent blip with a convincing victory at Chester Boughton Hall, helping them to preserve their large points lead at the top of the Premier League in the process.

JB Khan’s 68 took them to a useful 176 in bowler-friendly conditions, and with plenty of runs to defend, Didsbury ripped the home team out for 123 thanks to Khan (2-7), Nigel Bellamy (4-20) and Dave Ashworth (2-12).

Burnage’s first team sw their home match against Bredbury St Mark’s cancelled due to areas of the outfield being waterlogged.

However, the club’s second team was able to play a full game at Bredbury St Mark’s, where they enjoyed the better of a high-scoring draw.

Aqeel Awan (77), Waqas Mahmood (73) and Tahir Mahmood (62) helped them to set their hosts a huge target of 287.

Bredbury’s reply ended with them falling well short on 189-6 as Ali Kadar’s superb figures of 5-42 helped to keep the home team in check.