An Alvanley team missing 12 1st teamers put up a good fight at Weaverham but came away defeated but not disconsolate.
After actually winning the toss, Alvanley chose to bat first on a flat wicket with a hint of green. Chris Jones fell early but Will Speakman and Chris Fletcher worked hard to see off the new ball, surviving 13 overs before Fletcher received a snorter from Cornwall. Andy Martin carried on the fight with a gritty 12 and at 45 for 2, Alvanley were progressing well. Speakman was joined by Pickersgill and this pair took the score to 82 before Pickersgill was trapped in front for a fluent 26. Ed Speakman went first ball to Hayes and suddenly things weren’t quite as rosy at 83 for 5.
Andy Bennion joined Will Speakman and as Bennion dug in, Speakman unfurled the occasional rasper as he moved through the 30s with ease, before getting a grubber from Cornwall for an excellent 40. Bennion needed 16 year old Charlie Fletcher to stick around as the 140 target seemed a tough ask. Charlie did just that, playing the dangerous Cornwall confidently and running well. This pair put on a vital 47 as Bennion opened his shoulders, cutting particularly well, bhefore perishing in the deep for 49.
With 140 easily passed, 170 now became the target. Fletcher combined with Joe Hornby and Jez Brummitt to scamper the runs required and leave himself a highly creditable 16 not out.
Weaverham’s reply stuttered as Ed Speakman removed Robertson for 1 and had the next pair playing and missing regularly enough to give his team hope. At the other end Mark Leadbetter was frugal and asked questions of the batsmen.
Brummitt’s introduction soon accounted for Woods and at 58 for 2 off 19 overs, Alvanley were in a good position. Ian Eaton survived one or two early scares and crucially, Brummitt’s should lasted only 3 overs as Alvanley’s inexperienced attack looked to keep control. In Eaton and Cornwall however, Weaverham have two of the best and most attacking batsmen in the league and with only one bowler having bowled in the 1st XI this season, Alvanley’s resistance eventually wavered. This pair struck a rapid century partnership and with a half century apiece, took their team home by 8 wickets.
Alvanley, a mixture of 1st, 2nd and 3rd teamers due to holidays and work, gave a creditable performance against a strong Weaverham team and in taking 6 points, extended the gap above the relegation spots by a point.
3 to go – Congleton next at ACC