THE young guns of the Cheshire County League proved too strong for their opposite numbers in the Liverpool Competition when they retained the Rigby Insurance North-West Colts Trophy by eight wickets at Warrington on Sunday.
The Competition began well and were 93-1 at half-way thanks to a fine 50 from James Taylor (Wigan) and 33 by the captain, Northern’s Stephen Cole. But Hyde spinner David Cranmer (3-43) dismissed both without adding to their scores while Chris Tipper (3-22) engineered a collapse and the innings closed on 184-9.
On a fine batting strip, Cheshire cantered to victory with 20 overs to spare thanks to an unbeaten 75 from David Hurst, which earned the Neston batsman the man of the match prize. He was well supported in a second wicket stand of 125 by Jonny Kettle (68), a member of Oulton Park’s title-winning team.
Best of eight Competition bowlers was Ben Williams (Prestatyn) with 1-22.
Secretary and tournament organiser John Williams said that after a difficult season when rain had decimated the fixture list, he hoped it would be possible to continue what he described as “the best inter-league tournament for under-18s in the north west” in 2008.
Nantwich won the Cheshire Under-21 Cup for the fourth successive season when they beat Stockport by eight wickets. Stockport were bowled out for 86 (Rob Barber 22) by Ollie Sadler and Adam West, both 3-14 and Ray Doyle, 3-21.
