Alvanley gave their chances of avoiding relegation a huge boost by beating a strong Congleton team in the most dramatic of circumstances.
Alvanley won the toss and chose to bat first on what looked to be a very fast and bouncy wicket. Opener Will Speakman and Si Gee departed early but there were signs of great things from Ste Charles as he timed the ball beautifully from the outset. He was joined by Andy Hayhurst and whilst the former Lancs star bedded in, Charles unfurled a series of shots all around the wicket, reaching 50 in just 18 overs. The pair looked at ease in adding a crucial 108 before Charles fell for a 1st XI best of 81. Hayhurst was adjudged LBW soon after and when Chris Charles was bowled 129 for 2 became a precarious 135 for 5.
Youngster Ed Speakman and Jimmy Ecclestone steadied the ship, taking the score on to 163 before both fell on the same score. Ainsworth swung a couple of boundaries but when he fell Alvanley still had 10 overs to bat. Ben Tonge and Kenny Roberts were up to the task and they added 27 sensible runs before Roberts was bowled. Batting at 11 due to an injury, Andy Bennion joined Tonge and the pair made sure the overs were used up and added 15 unbeaten runs for the 10th wicket to take the score to 216 for 9 at tea.
Congleton got off to a steady start against Ed Speakman and Chris Charles but there were good signs as the ball beat the bat regularly enough. Speakman made the first breakthrough, trapping Blease in front on 23. The remainder of that over though went for 22 runs as Kiwi Jerryn Lamb came in swinging. The score rattled along to 84 for 1 in just 16 overs at Browe and Lamb took their chances. Ste Charles’ off spin quietened things down for a while, but it was the introduction of Lee Ainsworth that changed the game.
Ainsworth was unplayable, beating the bats much as 4 times an over, He removed Lamb with a beauty, caught behind and soon after took out Browe in identical fashion. When the returning Speakman induced an edge from the dangerous Waterhouse, Alvanley were suddenly in control at 100/4. Speakman struck again to remove Booth with a cracking yorker. 101/5.
A series of partnerships were mixed in with a series of wickets as the game swung either way. At 131 for 6 the game looked like Alvanley’s. Then Jack Higginbottom got involved. Out of the blue he hit four 4s in a four balls and suddenly, it was game on. He tried one scoop too many and the frugal Hayhurst had him caught behind for a brilliant 40. 202 for 8.
In the penultimate over 9 runs were score but a wicket fell to the returning Ainsworth leaving 6 to win off the last over. Hayhurst bowled well to ensure the first 4 balls went for singles. On the 5th ball the batsmen tried to run a two to Lee Ainsworth in the deep. His incredible throw hit Tonge’s gloves right above the bails and the young keeper completed the job to run Copeland out by a yard. Alvanley had won by one run!
Jubilant scenes followed as the players and supporters celebrated a tense, thrilling and important victory.